Introduction
The Intelligence Bureau (IB) ACIO-II/Executive examination 2025 follows a comprehensive three-tier selection process. Understanding the detailed syllabus for each tier is crucial for effective preparation. This guide provides the complete syllabus breakdown based on the official notification, helping candidates prepare strategically for all examination stages.
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Complete Examination Structure Overview
| Tier | Examination Type | Duration | Total Marks | Qualification Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier-I | Online Objective (MCQ) | 1 hour | 100 marks | Cut-off based |
| Tier-II | Descriptive Paper | 1 hour | 50 marks | Minimum 33% required |
| Tier-III | Interview/Personality Test | Variable | 100 marks | Final selection |
Tier-I Syllabus: Online Objective Examination
Examination Pattern Details
- Total Questions: 100 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Total Marks: 100 (1 mark per question)
- Time Duration: 60 minutes
- Negative Marking: -0.25 marks for each wrong answer
- Question Distribution: 20 questions from each subject
Subject-wise Detailed Syllabus
1. Current Affairs (20 Questions – 20 Marks)
National Affairs
- Government policies and schemes
- Recent appointments and resignations
- Parliamentary proceedings and legislation
- Constitutional amendments
- National awards and honors
- Census and surveys
- Important government reports
International Affairs
- Global summits and conferences
- International organizations (UN, WHO, WTO, etc.)
- India’s foreign relations
- Trade agreements and partnerships
- Global conflicts and resolutions
- International awards and recognitions
Sports & Games
- Recent tournaments and championships
- Indian sports achievements
- Olympic and Commonwealth Games
- Sports personalities and awards
- New records and milestones
Science & Technology
- Recent scientific discoveries
- Space missions and achievements
- Medical breakthroughs
- Technology trends and innovations
- Digital India initiatives
- Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies
Economic Affairs
- Budget highlights
- Economic surveys
- Banking and financial sector updates
- Stock market developments
- Currency and monetary policies
- Economic indicators (GDP, inflation, etc.)
2. General Studies (20 Questions – 20 Marks)
History
- Ancient Indian History
- Indus Valley Civilization
- Vedic Period
- Mauryan and Gupta Empires
- South Indian kingdoms
- Medieval Indian History
- Delhi Sultanate
- Mughal Empire
- Regional kingdoms
- Modern Indian History
- British rule and policies
- Freedom struggle
- Partition and independence
Geography
- Physical Geography
- Earth and solar system
- Landforms and climate
- Natural resources
- Environmental issues
- Indian Geography
- Physical features
- Rivers, mountains, plateaus
- Climate and monsoons
- Natural disasters
- World Geography
- Continents and countries
- Major rivers and mountains
- Climate zones
Polity & Constitution
- Indian Constitution
- Fundamental rights and duties
- Directive principles
- Constitutional amendments
- Government Structure
- Parliament and functions
- Judiciary system
- Executive branch
- Electoral System
- Election Commission
- Electoral reforms
- Political parties
Economics
- Basic Economic Concepts
- Demand and supply
- Inflation and deflation
- Economic planning
- Indian Economy
- Five-year plans
- Economic reforms
- Banking system
- Public finance
General Science
- Physics
- Motion and energy
- Light and sound
- Electricity and magnetism
- Chemistry
- Acids, bases, and salts
- Metals and non-metals
- Carbon compounds
- Biology
- Human body systems
- Plant and animal kingdoms
- Diseases and immunity
3. Numerical Aptitude (20 Questions – 20 Marks)
Arithmetic
- Number systems and operations
- Percentages and their applications
- Profit and loss calculations
- Simple and compound interest
- Ratios and proportions
- Time and work problems
- Time, speed, and distance
- Averages and mixtures
Algebra
- Linear equations
- Quadratic equations
- Algebraic expressions
- Polynomials
Geometry
- Area and perimeter
- Volume and surface area
- Angles and triangles
- Circles and polygons
Statistics & Data Interpretation
- Mean, median, mode
- Data representation (charts, graphs)
- Probability basics
- Data analysis and interpretation
4. Reasoning/Logical Aptitude (20 Questions – 20 Marks)
Verbal Reasoning
- Analogies and classifications
- Series completion
- Coding and decoding
- Blood relations
- Direction sense
- Logical sequences
Non-Verbal Reasoning
- Pattern recognition
- Figure series
- Mirror and water images
- Paper folding and cutting
- Embedded figures
- Spatial visualization
Logical Reasoning
- Syllogisms
- Statement and assumptions
- Statement and conclusions
- Cause and effect
- Arguments and inferences
Analytical Reasoning
- Seating arrangements
- Puzzles and games
- Logical deductions
- Critical reasoning
5. English Language (20 Questions – 20 Marks)
Grammar
- Parts of speech
- Tenses and voice
- Articles and prepositions
- Subject-verb agreement
- Sentence structure
Vocabulary
- Synonyms and antonyms
- Word meanings
- Idioms and phrases
- One-word substitutions
Comprehension
- Reading comprehension passages
- Inference and conclusion
- Main idea identification
- Fact vs. opinion
Writing Skills
- Sentence correction
- Error detection
- Paragraph completion
- Sentence rearrangement
Tier-II Syllabus: Descriptive Examination
Examination Pattern
- Total Marks: 50
- Time Duration: 60 minutes
- Minimum Qualifying Marks: 33% (17 out of 50)
- Paper Type: Descriptive/Subjective
Component-wise Breakdown
1. Essay Writing (20 Marks)
Topics Coverage:
- Social issues and problems
- Economic developments
- Political scenarios
- Environmental concerns
- Technological advancement
- International relations
- Government policies
- Current national issues
Evaluation Criteria:
- Content relevance and depth
- Logical flow and structure
- Language proficiency
- Original thinking
- Conclusion and recommendations
2. English Comprehension (10 Marks)
Skills Tested:
- Reading comprehension ability
- Understanding of complex passages
- Inference and interpretation
- Critical analysis
- Vocabulary in context
Question Types:
- Multiple choice questions based on passages
- Short answer questions
- Fill in the blanks
- Word meanings and usage
3. Long Answer Questions (20 Marks)
Two Questions of 10 Marks Each
Subject Areas:
- Current Affairs (National and International)
- Economics (Indian and Global Economy)
- Socio-political Issues
Question Format:
- Analytical questions requiring detailed answers
- Policy-based questions
- Issue-based discussions
- Cause-effect analysis
- Solution-oriented responses
Tier-III Syllabus: Interview/Personality Test
Interview Components (100 Marks)
1. Personality Assessment
- Communication skills
- Leadership qualities
- Decision-making ability
- Problem-solving approach
- Stress management
- Ethical values
2. General Awareness
- Current affairs knowledge
- Government policies
- National security issues
- International relations
- Social and economic issues
3. Subject Knowledge
- Academic background
- Professional experience
- Specific skills and expertise
- Research and analytical ability
4. Psychological Evaluation
- Mental alertness
- Emotional intelligence
- Adaptability
- Team working skills
- Integrity and honesty
Cut-off Marks and Qualification Criteria
Tier-I Cut-off Marks
| Category | Minimum Cut-off | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | 35 marks | Out of 100 |
| EWS | 35 marks | Out of 100 |
| OBC | 34 marks | Out of 100 |
| SC/ST | 33 marks | Out of 100 |
Shortlisting Criteria
- Tier-II: 10 times the number of vacancies (subject to Tier-I cut-off)
- Tier-III: 5 times the number of vacancies (minimum 33% in Tier-II required)
Preparation Strategy
For Tier-I Preparation
Time Management
- Current Affairs: 2-3 hours daily
- General Studies: 3-4 hours daily
- Numerical Aptitude: 2-3 hours daily
- Reasoning: 2-3 hours daily
- English: 1-2 hours daily
Study Plan (3-Month Strategy)
Month 1: Foundation Building
- Complete syllabus coverage
- Basic concept understanding
- Daily newspaper reading
Month 2: Practice and Revision
- Mock test practice
- Previous year questions
- Weak area identification
Month 3: Final Preparation
- Intensive revision
- Speed improvement
- Stress management
For Tier-II Preparation
Essay Writing Tips
- Structure: Introduction-Body-Conclusion
- Word Limit: 250-300 words typically
- Time Management: 25-30 minutes
- Practice Topics: Social, economic, political issues
English Comprehension
- Daily Reading: Newspapers, magazines
- Vocabulary Building: Word lists, usage
- Speed Reading: Practice with time limits
For Interview Preparation
Key Areas to Focus
- Current Affairs: Last 6 months thoroughly
- Academic Background: Graduation subject clarity
- Personal Interests: Hobbies and achievements
- Career Goals: Why IB and intelligence services
- Mock Interviews: Practice with peers/mentors
Recommended Books and Resources
For Current Affairs
- Newspapers: The Hindu, Indian Express, PIB releases
- Magazines: Pratiyogita Darpan, Competition Success Review
- Online: PIB, government websites, news portals
For General Studies
- NCERT Books: Classes 6-12 for basics
- Reference Books: Lucent’s General Knowledge, Arihant General Studies
For Numerical Aptitude
- R.S. Aggarwal: Quantitative Aptitude
- Fast Track: Arithmetic by Rajesh Verma
For Reasoning
- R.S. Aggarwal: A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning
- Arihant: General Intelligence and Test of Reasoning
For English
- Wren & Martin: High School English Grammar
- S.P. Bakshi: Objective General English
Important Preparation Tips
Do’s
✅ Regular Practice: Daily study routine ✅ Mock Tests: Weekly full-length tests ✅ Current Affairs: Daily newspaper reading ✅ Time Management: Practice with time limits ✅ Revision: Regular review of covered topics ✅ Health: Maintain physical and mental fitness
Don’ts
❌ Procrastination: Avoid last-minute preparation ❌ Overconfidence: Don’t skip any topic ❌ Negative Sources: Avoid unreliable study materials ❌ Stress: Don’t panic before examinations ❌ Comparison: Focus on own preparation, not others
Sample Questions for Practice
Tier-I Sample Questions
Current Affairs Q1. Who is the current Chief Justice of India (as of 2025)? Q2. Which country hosted the G20 summit in 2024?
General Studies Q1. The battle of Plassey was fought in which year? Q2. Which is the longest river in India?
Numerical Aptitude Q1. If 20% of a number is 80, what is 25% of that number? Q2. A train travels 300 km in 5 hours. What is its speed?
Reasoning Q1. Complete the series: 2, 6, 12, 20, ? Q2. If BOOK is coded as 2151516, how is PAPER coded?
English Q1. Choose the synonym of “Abundant”: (a) Scarce (b) Plenty (c) Limited (d) Few Q2. Find the error: “He is more stronger than his brother.”
Final Words
Success in the IB ACIO-II/Executive examination requires dedicated preparation, consistent practice, and strategic planning. Focus on understanding concepts rather than rote learning, stay updated with current affairs, and maintain a positive attitude throughout your preparation journey.
Remember: The syllabus is comprehensive but manageable with proper planning. Start early, practice regularly, and give your best effort in each tier of the examination.
Apply Now: Don’t forget to submit your application through the official portal before the deadline.