IB ACIO Notification 2026: Vacancies, Eligibility & How to Apply

The IB ACIO notification 2026 for the exam is expected in October 2026. The IB ACIO exam will be conducted for the recruitment of Assistant Central Intelligence Officer Grade II/Executive under the Intelligence Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs.

The 2025 batch had 3,717 vacancies across UR, OBC, EWS, SC, and ST categories. The IB ACIO notification 2026 is expected to bring 3,000+ vacancies.

This article covers dates, eligibility, exam pattern, salary, and how to apply, based on the IB ACIO notification 2025 PDF.

Key Details of IB ACIO Recruitment 2026

Here are some key details of the Intelligence Bureau ACIO recruitment 2026:

Does IB ACIO Notification Release Every Year?

No. The Intelligence Bureau Grade II/Executive notification is released based on internal vacancy requirements, not on a fixed annual schedule.

In the past, IB released ACIO notifications in 2012, 2014, 2017, 2020–21, 2023, and 2025. The 2025 cycle was the most recent, with 3,717 vacancies, the highest in this exam’s history.

Is There a Separate IB ACIO Notification for Technical Posts?

Yes. IB also conducts a separate ACIO Tech (JIO) recruitment for engineering graduates, which requires a valid GATE score.

That is a different exam. Do not confuse it with this one.

Where to Download the IB ACIO 2026 Notification PDF?

Once released, the notification PDF will be available on the MHA website. Here are the steps to download it:

1. Visit Ministry of Home Affairs.
2. In the top menu of the homepage, click on “More,” then click on “Notifications” and click on “Vacancies.”
3. Click on the notification link for ACIO Grade-II/Executive Examination 2026.
4. A new page opens. Download the PDF from there.
5. You can also apply directly through the NCS portal.

Note: Do not apply through any third-party website. Only MHA and NCS are official portals.

What are the Expected Dates of IB ACIO Notification 2026 Release?

Based on the 2025 cycle and historical patterns, here are the expected dates of IB ACIO Notification 2026 release:

What are the Expected Vacancies in the IB ACIO 2026 Notification?

Here is what we know so far:

• 3,000+ vacancies are expected in IB ACIO 2026 notification.
• The 2025 cycle had 3,717 vacancies. The 2026 cycle may match or exceed that.
• Category-wise split will only be known once the official notification drops.

For your reference, here’s the 2025 cycle vacancy split:

Important points to note:

• The post is not identified for PwBD candidates. Persons with Benchmark Disabilities are explicitly not eligible.
• ESM (ex-servicemen) reservation applies only if they have not previously used their ESM quota to secure a Group C central government appointment.

What Information Does the IB ACIO 2026 Notification Include?

The official IB ACIO notification is a detailed document. Here is what it typically covers:

1. IB ACIO Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the IB ACIO 2026 recruitment:

Nationality

• Must be an Indian citizen.
• Persons of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, or specific East African countries are also eligible.

Educational Qualification

• Graduation or equivalent from a recognized university.
• Knowledge of computers is desirable (not mandatory).
• Your degree result must be declared on or before the application closing date. If your result is pending on the closing date, you are not eligible; do not apply.

Age Limit

• Your date of birth and name will be taken from your Matriculation (Class 10) certificate only.
• No other document will be accepted as proof of date of birth, not Aadhaar, not PAN, nothing else.

There is no limit on the number of attempts. You can apply every cycle as long as you meet the age and education criteria.

2. IB ACIO Exam Pattern

The IB ACIO selection process has three tiers:

Tier 1: Objective Written Test

Minimum cut-off for Tier 1 (as per 2025 notification):

• UR / EWS: 35 marks
• OBC: 34 marks
• SC / ST: 33 marks

The actual cut-off tends to go much higher due to competition. General category candidates have historically needed 54-65+ marks to get shortlisted for Tier 2.

Tier 2: Descriptive Paper

Shortlisting for Tier 2 is done at 10 times the number of vacancies based on Tier 1 marks (after normalization).

Tier 3: Interview

The final merit list is based on all three tiers combined (100 + 50 + 100 = 250 marks total).

After the merit list, this is what happens next:

• Final selection is subject to Character & Antecedent verification and Medical Examination.
• Initial appointment is temporary. Permanent appointment depends on separate factors and is not automatic.
• A waiting list is also prepared after the final merit list, for future vacancies.

What Happens if Two Candidates Have the Same Combined Score?

IB resolves ties by checking five criteria in order. The first criterion that separates the two candidates decides the winner.

• Higher marks in Tier 3 (Interview) wins.
• If still tied, higher marks in Tier 2 wins.
• If still tied, higher normalized marks in Tier 1 wins.
• If still tied, the older candidate (by date of birth) is ranked higher.
• If still tied even then, alphabetical order of the first name is used.

3. IB ACIO Syllabus

The notification does not provide a detailed topic-wise syllabus for Tier 1. It only lists the five sections. The Tier 2 syllabus is also broad: essays and long answers on current affairs, economics, and socio-political topics.

Tier 1 Key Topics (Based on Previous Year Papers):

• Current Affairs: Last 6-12 months of national and international events
• General Studies: History, Geography, Polity, Science, Economy
• Numerical Aptitude: Arithmetic, Data Interpretation, Basic Math
• Reasoning: Verbal and Non-verbal, Logical Reasoning, Coding-Decoding, Puzzles
• English: Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary, Cloze Test

Tier 2 Key Topics:

• Essay writing in English on contemporary topics.
• English comprehension passages.
• Long answers on economics, current affairs, and social issues.

4. IB ACIO Salary 2026

The pay scale for IB ACIO Grade II/Executive is Level 7 of the 7th Pay Commission:

Pay Scale: ₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400 per month

Key Allowances:

• Special Security Allowance (SSA): 20% of basic pay (this is unique to IB and not available in most other government jobs)
• Dearness Allowance (DA)
• House Rent Allowance (HRA): Varies by city category (X, Y, Z)
• Transport Allowance (TA)
• Cash compensation for duty on holidays (up to 30 days ceiling)

In-Hand Salary (approximate):

• Gross salary: ₹ 90,000 to ₹ 1,05,000 per month (varies by posting city)
• After deductions (NPS, CGHS, taxes): ₹ 80,000 to ₹ 95,000 per month

The SSA at 20% of basic pay is a genuine advantage over other Group C central government jobs.

It means even at the entry level, your effective take-home is meaningfully higher than, say, an SSC CGL post with the same basic pay.

5. IB ACIO Exam Centers

Tier 1 is conducted across 148 cities spread across all states and union territories. You will need to submit five city preferences at the time of application.

Here’s what you must know about the IB ACIO exam centres:

• City once chosen cannot be changed under any circumstances.
• If a city is oversubscribed, IB may shift you to a nearby city.
• IB reserves the right to cancel any centre, add new ones, or allot candidates to a different city based on administrative feasibility.
• Tier 1 may be conducted in multiple shifts at large centres.
• Tier 2 and Interview dates, times, and centres will be communicated via email only.
• Tier 2 and Interview will not necessarily be held in all 148 cities.
• IB may club nearby candidates and hold these at a single centre.

6. How to Apply for IB ACIO 2026

For IB ACIO 2026, you can apply online only through the Ministry of Home Affairs or the National Career Service website. No offline or postal applications are accepted.

Step-by-Step Process:

Step 1: Registration

• Visit MHA or NCS website.
• Enter your personal and contact details, mobile number, and email ID.
• You will receive your Application Sequence Number (ASN) and password via SMS and email.

Step 2: Complete the Application Form

• Re-login with your ASN and password.
• Fill in personal details, educational qualifications, category, and exam city preferences.
• Upload scanned photograph (100–200 KB, jpg/jpeg, not older than 12 weeks) and signature (80–150 KB, jpg/jpeg).

Step 3: Pay the Fee

• You are redirected to SBI EPAY LITE after submission.
• Payment can be made via Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, UPI, or SBI Challan.
• Challan payments must be completed within 4 days of generation.

Important Points:

• Submit only one application. Multiple applications may result in cancellation.
• Once submitted, no changes are allowed.
• Preserve your ASN for future reference throughout the recruitment process.
• Fee is non-refundable under any circumstances.

7. IB ACIO Application Fee

Note: All candidates (including SC/ST and female) must pay the ₹550 recruitment processing charge. Only the ₹100 examination fee is waived for reserved categories and women.

8. General Instructions You Must Know

These are directly from the IB ACIO notification. Read them carefully before applying.

At the Exam Centre:

• Mobile phones and all electronic gadgets are strictly banned inside exam centres.
• Even a switched-off phone counts as use of unfair means. Your candidature will be cancelled on the spot.
• IB cannot guarantee safe-keeping of valuables at venues. Leave expensive items at home.

Travel Expenses:

• No TA/DA is provided to candidates for appearing in the exam or interview.
• Exception: Unemployed SC/ST candidates are reimbursed travel fares as per rules. No cash is paid at the centre. Reimbursement is processed separately.

If You are a Government Employee:

• Inform your employer before applying, or obtain necessary permission.
• You must submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your employer at the time of Interview.

Note: Candidates in PSUs, Autonomous Bodies, or Statutory Bodies are not eligible for age relaxation, even if they are government employees.

OBC Candidates: Specific Requirement:

• OBC certificate must be as per the Central Government list, not the State Government list.
• The certificate must be from a competent authority in the prescribed proforma (Appendix-I of the notification). No other format will be accepted.
• A non-creamy layer declaration (undertaking) must also be submitted when called for.

Documents to Keep Ready after Tier 1 Result:

• Class 10 certificate (for name and date of birth)
• Class 12 certificate
• Graduation degree and marksheets
• Category certificate (OBC/SC/ST/EWS), if applicable
• NOC from employer, if applicable
• Sufficient copies of the photo uploaded in the application
• Age relaxation certificate (ex-servicemen discharge certificate, widow/divorcee certificate, etc.), if applicable

Canvassing:

• Any form of canvassing or outside influence will result in outright rejection of candidature. No exceptions.

9. Fraud Warning: Read Before You Apply

IB has included a formal warning in the notification itself. This section is worth reading carefully.

• Fraudulent websites and individuals have been caught issuing fake appointment letters for IB posts.
• People claiming to be “Ex-IB Officers” have been approaching aspirants on social media, promising to help them clear the exam for a fee. This is a scam. IB does not share the question paper content with anyone.
• Do not disclose your exam progression, whether you cleared Tier 1, got shortlisted for Tier 2, or received an interview call on social media, including your personal accounts. IB has explicitly asked candidates to also request family members and friends not to post about this.

What Next?

The notification is expected in October 2026.

The application window will likely be around 3 weeks, and Tier 1 will probably happen in December 2026 or January 2027.

That gives you roughly 4–5 months from now. Not a lot, but enough if you start now.