Ready to take the next step in your career with the Intelligence Bureau? The ACIO Grade II / Executive exam is a fantastic opportunity, and we're here to help you prepare effectively.
This competitive exam requires a strong understanding of various subjects, and focused preparation is key to success. Whether you're just starting your journey or looking to refine your strategy, now's the time to dive in.
What does it take to crack the ACIO II / Executive exam?
Comprehensive Knowledge: Master the syllabus, covering General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, English Language, and General Studies.
Strategic Preparation: Develop a study plan, prioritize topics, and practice regularly with mock tests and previous year's papers.
Current Affairs Mastery: Stay updated on national and international events – a crucial component of the exam.
We'll be sharing valuable insights, study tips, and resources to help you along the way. Stay tuned for:
Detailed syllabus breakdowns
Effective study techniques
Practice questions and quizzes
The Assistant Central Intelligence Officer (ACIO) Grade-II/Executive Examination, conducted by the Intelligence Bureau (IB) under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), is typically structured into three tiers:
Tier I (Objective Type)
This is an objective-type multiple-choice question (MCQ) exam. It consists of 100 questions, with each question carrying 1 mark, totaling 100 marks. There is usually a negative marking of ¼ mark for each incorrect answer. The duration of this exam is 1 hour.
The subjects covered in Tier I are:
Current Affairs: This section focuses on recent national and international events, awards, books and authors, government policies and schemes, important dates, and general awareness related to banking, economics, and finance.
General Studies: This includes Static GK (General Knowledge) along with subjects like:
Indian History
Geography
Indian Polity & Constitution
Economy & Finance
General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
Science & Technology
Numerical Aptitude (Quantitative Aptitude): This section covers various mathematical topics, including:
Number Systems (LCM & HCF, Divisibility Rules, Remainders, Simplification, Surds & Indices)
Percentages
Profit & Loss
Simple & Compound Interest
Ratio & Proportion
Averages
Time & Work
Time, Speed & Distance
Mensuration (Areas and Volumes of 2D and 3D shapes)
Algebra (Linear and quadratic equations, Algebraic identities)
Data Interpretation (Bar graphs, Pie charts, Line graphs, Tables)
Mixture & Alligation
Geometry
Fundamental Arithmetical Operations
Computation of Whole Numbers
Use of tables and graphs
Decimals
Relationship between numbers
Series Completion
Reasoning/Logical Aptitude: This section assesses logical thinking and problem-solving skills, with topics such as:
Alphanumeric series
Reasoning Analogies
Artificial Language
Blood Relations
Calendars
Cause and Effect
Clocks
Coding-Decoding
Data Sufficiency
Decision Making
Directions
Input-Output
Odd One Out
Puzzles
Order & Ranking
Statement and Assumptions
Statement and Conclusions
Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning
Charts
Completion of Patterns
Classifications
Character Puzzles
Image Analysis
Logical Sequence of Words
English Language: This section evaluates proficiency in grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension. Topics include:
Reading Comprehension (Passages with questions on theme, facts, inference, tone, vocabulary)
Cloze Test
Detection of Errors
Improving Sentences and Paragraphs
Completion of Paragraphs
Para Jumbles
Fill in the Blanks
Parts of speech (Grammar, Verbs, Adjectives, Clauses)
Modes of narration (Direct & Indirect Speech)
Prepositions
Voice Change (Active & Passive Voice)
Sentence Structure
One Word Substitution
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & Phrases
Spellings Correction/Detecting Misspelled words
Vocabulary
Tier II (Descriptive Type)
Candidates who qualify Tier I are eligible for Tier II. This is a descriptive paper of 50 marks and has a duration of 1 hour. It assesses writing skills and awareness of current issues. The topics generally include:
Essay Writing: (Often 20-30 marks) Probable topics for essays can include security threats to India, cultural diversity, emergency trends, socio-political issues, economic issues, etc.
English Comprehension & Précis Writing: (Often 20-30 marks, typically broken down into 10 marks for comprehension and 10-20 marks for long answer questions). This involves reading a passage and answering comprehension questions, along with summarizing a given passage. Sometimes, two long answer questions (10 marks each) on current affairs or socio-political issues are included.
Tier III (Interview)
Candidates shortlisted based on their combined performance in Tier I and Tier II will be called for an interview. This round carries 100 marks and assesses personality, communication skills, and overall suitability for the role. A Psychometric/Aptitude Test may also be part of the interview process.
It is crucial for aspiring candidates to refer to the official notification released by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) or Intelligence Bureau (IB) for the most accurate and up-to-date syllabus and exam pattern details, as there can be minor variations.