IB ACIO Registration 2026: Step-by-Step Application Process, Dates & Fees

The IB ACIO exam 2026 notification is expected in October 2026. When it is released, the IB ACIO registration link will go live on the Ministry of Home Affairs website. IB ACIO applications are accepted online only. No offline mode, no postal applications.

The IB ACIO application form has two steps. Registration first, then form completion and fee payment. Both steps must be completed before the last date to apply.

This article covers everything: IB ACIO registration process, fee payment, exam centre selection, photo and signature requirements, and what to do when something goes wrong.

What are the IB ACIO Registration 2026 Dates?

The IB ACIO 2026 notification has not been released yet.

Based on the 2025 cycle, expected dates are:

For reference, the 2025 cycle dates were:

• Registration opened: 19 July 2025
• Last date to apply online: 10 August 2025 (23:59 hours)
• Last date for SBI Challan payment: 12 August 2025 (banking hours only)

IB does not extend the application deadline under any circumstances. If you miss the last date, you cannot apply for that cycle.

Register early. The portal gets heavily loaded in the last 2 to 3 days. IB specifically advises candidates not to wait till the last day.

For complete recruitment details, read our article on IB ACIO Notification.

Where is the IB ACIO Apply Online Link?

IB ACIO online registration is only through two official portals:

• Ministry of Home Affairs official website
• National Career Service portal

Both portals lead to the same application. You can use either.

Apply only through these two portals. IB has flagged that fraudulent websites have circulated in past cycles.

Applications through any other website are not accepted.

What Documents do You Need Before Applying for IB ACIO Exam?

Keep everything ready before you begin. Here’s everything you need before IB ACIO registration process:

Mandatory Before you Begin:

• Valid personal email ID (must stay active throughout the recruitment process).
• Valid mobile number (must stay active throughout the recruitment process).
• Scanned photograph: Colour, JPG/JPEG, 100 to 200 KB, not older than 12 weeks.
• Scanned signature: JPG/JPEG, 80 to 150 KB.
• Valid photo ID proof issued by Central or State Government (Aadhaar, Voter Card, Driving License, PAN Card, or college-issued ID)
• Class X marksheet or certificate (for date of birth and name proof)
• Class XII certificate
• Graduation degree or provisional degree with marksheets
• Category certificate (OBC/SC/ST/EWS) if applicable, with issuance number and issuance date
• Age relaxation certificate if applicable (ex-servicemen discharge certificate, widow/divorcee certificate, sportsperson certificate)

Important note on category certificates:

• EWS certificate must be issued after 1 April of the notification year. An older one is not valid.
• OBC, SC, and ST certificates: a certificate from the last 1 to 2 years is generally accepted.
• All category certificates must be from the Central Government list, not State Government list.

How to Apply for IB ACIO 2026: Step-by-Step

The IB ACIO apply online process has two steps. Both must be completed before the last date.

Step 1: Registration

1. Go to Ministry of Home Affairs or National Career Service portal.
2. Click the IB ACIO 2026 apply online link.
3. Read the instructions on the page.
4. Tick the “I Agree” checkbox and click “Registration/Sign-up”.
5. A registration form opens. Fill in the following fields:
   • Post Name: Select “ACIO Grade II/Executive” from the dropdown.
   • Candidate Full Name: Enter your name exactly as on your Class X certificate.
   • Mobile Number: Enter your 10-digit number.
   • Confirm Mobile Number: Re-enter the same number.
   • Alternate Mobile Number: Optional.
   • Email ID: Enter your active personal email.
   • Confirm Email ID: Re-enter the same email.
6. Click “Send OTP”.
7. Two OTPs arrive: one on your mobile, one on your email.
8. Enter the mobile OTP in the mobile OTP field and the email OTP in the email OTP field. Do not mix them up.
9. Click “Validate”.
10. Agree to the terms, enter the CAPTCHA, and click Submit.
11. A confirmation page appears showing your post name, name, mobile, and email. Verify everything. The page says: “The information once submitted cannot be modified.” If anything is wrong, click Cancel and fix it. If correct, click OK.
12. A “Registered Successfully” message appears. Your ASN (Application Sequence Number) and password are sent to your mobile and email.
13. Write the ASN down immediately. It is your login ID for all future steps.
14. Log out.

Step 2: Completing the Application Form

1. Go back to Ministry of Home Affairs or NCS Portal and log in with your ASN and password.
2. Click “Go to Application” on the home screen.
3. The form opens with four tabs at the top: Eligibility Criteria, Communication Details, Qualification and Experience, Documents and Payment.
4. Complete each tab in order and click “Save and Next” at the end of each,

Section 1: Eligibility Criteria

Personal Details

• Your registration number will appear automatically.
• Post name is already filled.
• Select your gender.
• Select your date of birth.
• Nationality: Select “Citizen of India.”

Read the full IB ACIO Eligibility Criteria article here

Reservation Category

• If you belong to OBC, EWS, SC, or ST: click the relevant category.
• When you select a category, additional fields appear:
  • Issuance number of the category certificate.
  • Date of issuance of the certificate.
• Fill these details accurately. The same details will be verified at the document verification stage.
• If you are General (UR): no certificate details required.
• Category once submitted cannot be changed under any circumstances.

Other Personal Details

• Father’s name
• Mother’s name
• Marital status
• Religion
• Mobile number and email are already filled from Step 1.
• Unique Identification Mark: Enter any distinguishing physical mark for identification (a mole, scar, or similar mark). This is used to identify you at exam and interview stages.

Exam Centre Preferences

Still within the Eligibility Criteria section, you will see the exam centre selection.

• You must select 5 exam city preferences.
• Selection works in two steps: first select the state, then select the city within that state.
• You can select all 5 cities from the same state (e.g., 5 different cities in Uttar Pradesh), or one city each from 5 different states.
• Once selected and submitted, the exam centre cannot be changed under any circumstances.

Other Declarations

• Ex-Serviceman: Select Yes or No.
• Sportsperson: Select Yes or No. If Yes, provide sports details.
• Departmental Employee (current government employee): Select Yes or No. If Yes, provide employment details.

Click “Save and Next.”

Section 2: Communication Details

• Enter your Correspondence Address: the address where you currently live and receive letters.
• Enter your Permanent Address: your home address (place of origin).
• If both are the same: tick “Is Permanent Address same as Correspondence Address?” and the form fills automatically.
• If different: fill both separately.

Click “Save and Next.”

Section 3: Qualification and Experience

CGPA to Percentage Conversion

Before filling marks, note this rule stated in the form:

If your university awards CGPA/GPA instead of percentage, convert it using this formula:

• On a 10-point scale: CGPA of 6.4 = 60%
• 59.99% is treated as less than 60% (fractions are not rounded up)

If your university has its own conversion formula, use that. If not, use the formula above.

Class 10 Details

• Board name
• Year of passing
• Institution name
• Subject combination
• Marks / percentage / CGPA
• Pass/Fail status
• Select the relevant option from “Please select any of the following”

Class 12 Details

• Same fields as Class 10

Essential Qualification (Graduation)

• Specialisation: BA, BSc, BCom, BTech, BCA, or whichever applies
• College/institution name
• Month and year of joining
• Month and year of passing
• Marks / percentage / CGPA
• Pass/Fail status
• Select the relevant option from “Please select any of the following”.

Your graduation result must be declared on or before the closing date. Final year students whose result is not out cannot apply.

Desirable Qualification

• “Do you have knowledge of computers?” : Select Yes.
• Computer knowledge is listed as desirable, not mandatory. But you should select Yes here as it is part of the form.

Additional Qualification (Optional)

• If you have completed post-graduation or any other qualification beyond graduation, fill these details here. This is not mandatory.

Foreign or Local Language Knowledge

• “Do you have knowledge of any foreign or local language except English and Hindi?”
• If yes: select Yes and name the language.
• If no: select No.

Work Experience

• If you have any prior work experience: select Yes and provide details.
• If no: select No.

Click “Save and Next.”

Section 4: Document and Payment

Photo Upload

• Click the upload button for photograph.
• Select your scanned photo file (jpg/jpeg, 100 to 200 KB).
• The photo will preview. Verify it is clear and not blurry.

Signature Upload

• Click the upload button for signature.
• Select your scanned signature file (jpg/jpeg, 80 to 150 KB).
• Verify it is clearly visible.

Preview and Submit

• Tick all the declaration checkboxes shown.
• Enter the captcha code.
• Click “Submit.”

After submission, you are automatically redirected to the SBI EPAY LITE payment gateway.

What is the IB ACIO Application Fee?

The IB ACIO application fee has two components: Examination Fee and Recruitment Processing Charges.

All candidates pay ₹550 recruitment processing charges without exception.

Fee once paid is not refunded under any circumstances, including if you withdraw, do not appear, or your application is cancelled.

How to Pay the IB ACIO Application Fee?

After submitting the form, you are automatically redirected to the SBI EPAY LITE payment gateway.

Pay via UPI or SBI if you want to avoid extra charges.

SBI Challan Process

• An e-challan is generated automatically after form submission.
• The challan is valid for 4 days from the date of generation.
• Deposit it at any SBI branch before the challan last date (during banking hours only).
• Challan payments close 2 days after the online application deadline.

Critical Payment Instruction

After clicking pay, wait for the server confirmation. Do not press back or refresh. Doing so causes double deduction.

After successful payment, close the browser. Generate and save the payment acknowledgement slip.

What are the IB ACIO Photo and Signature Requirements?

Photograph

• If you wear glasses, eyes must be fully visible.
• Do not wear uniforms that match the background colour.
• The same photograph must be used throughout the entire recruitment process: exam, interview, and document verification.
• Carry enough physical copies of this photograph to every stage.

Signature

The signature you upload is the one you must reproduce on admit cards and attendance sheets at every stage. Any variation in signature can lead to disqualification.

After submission, photo and signature cannot be changed. Preview both carefully before clicking submit.

How to Select the IB ACIO Exam Centre?

Exam centre selection happens inside Section 1 (Eligibility Criteria) of the IB ACIO registration form, before you save and proceed.

How it Works?

• You must select 5 exam city preferences.
• Selection is in two steps: first pick the state, then pick a city within that state.
• You can pick all 5 cities from one state, or one city from each of 5 different states. Both are valid.
• Example: If you are from UP, you can pick 5 different UP cities. Or you can pick one city from UP, one from Bihar, one from Delhi, one from MP, and one from Rajasthan.

Rules

• City once submitted cannot be changed under any circumstances.
• IB allocates you to one of your 5 chosen cities based on availability.
• If your preferred city is oversubscribed, IB may shift you to another city from your list.
• IB can cancel centres, add new ones, or allot you elsewhere at its discretion.
• Tier 2 and Interview are not necessarily held in all 148 Tier 1 cities. IB may club nearby candidates.
• Tier 2 and Interview dates, times, and venues are communicated only via email.

Can You Edit the IB ACIO Application Form After Submission?

Submit only one application. Duplicate submissions can lead to cancellation of all applications from that candidate.

Can You Apply for IB ACIO Exam on Mobile?

Yes. The MHA and NCS portals work on mobile browsers.

Uploading photo and signature is easier from a desktop. If applying on mobile, verify file sizes and formats carefully before uploading.

Does the Identity Certificate Need to be Uploaded?

No. Photo ID proof (Aadhaar, Voter Card, Driving License, PAN Card, or college-issued ID) is not uploaded in the IB ACIO registration form.

Carry it in the original to the exam centre. Without it, you will not be allowed to enter.

What if a Mandatory Field is Missed?

The portal will flag empty mandatory fields and will not let you submit. Fill all required fields before submission.

After submission, nothing can be corrected.

Can Contact Details be Changed After Registration?

No. Mobile number and email ID cannot be changed after Step 1 registration.

All communications: ASN, admit card, result, interview call: go to the registered email and mobile. Keep both active throughout the process.

What is the Difference Between Application Form & Payment Acknowledgement Slip?

After payment, two documents are available:

• Application form: Contains your filled details and fee confirmation. Print this.
• Payment Acknowledgement Slip: Generated by SBI EPAY LITE after successful payment. Save this separately.

Keep both.

What if Payment Fails just Before the Deadline?

Do not attempt to pay again immediately. If the amount was deducted, wait 24 to 48 hours for auto-reversal, then pay again.

If it was not deducted and the payment shows as failed, attempt again directly.

Online payments are accepted only up to 23:59 on the last date. If you generated a Challan before the deadline, you have until the challan’s last date to deposit at any SBI branch.

How to Check IB ACIO Application Status?

After successful submission:

1. A confirmation appears on screen after payment.
2. Log in to Ministry of Home Affairs or NCS portal with your ASN to view application status.
3. Take a printout of your application form. Keep it for all future references.

If status is not showing:

• Wait up to 24 hours after payment.
• Check your registered email including spam and junk folders.
• If still unresolved, call the helpdesk.

Admit cards for Tier 1 are sent to your registered email only. Keep checking your inbox and spam folder after the exam date is announced.

What to Do if You Face Technical Issues?

Portal Not Loading or Internal Server Error

• Try at a different time. Heavy traffic near the deadline causes server slowdowns.
• Try a different browser or device.
• Clear browser cache and cookies.

OTP Not Received

• Wait 5 minutes and request again.
• Check that your mobile number and email ID are correct.
• Check your email spam folder for the OTP email.
• Ensure your phone has network connectivity.

OTP Received but Validation Fails

• OTPs are time-limited. If too much time passed between receiving and entering, request a fresh OTP.
• Ensure you are entering the mobile OTP in the mobile field and the email OTP in the email field. They are separate.

Registration Number Forgotten

• Check the email sent to your registered email ID after Step 1.
• Check your spam and junk folder.
• If still not found, contact the helpdesk.

Cannot Log in After Registration

• Use the ASN (not your email) as the login ID.
• Use the password received in your registration email.
• For password recovery, use the “Forgot Password” option on the portal.

Payment Deducted but Application not Submitted

• Wait 24 to 48 hours for the system to update.
• Do not attempt to fill the form again.
• Contact the helpdesk with your transaction ID if unresolved.

Payment Deducted and Shows Failure

• Wait for auto-reversal (24 to 48 hours).
• Then attempt payment again.
• Contact helpdesk if the amount is not reversed within 3 to 4 working days.