Intelligence Bureau (IB), under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), has announced new job openings for the position of Assistant Central Intelligence Officer Grade-II/Technical (ACIO-II/Tech), a Group ‘C’ post. This recruitment offers a valuable opportunity for young Indian graduates with strong technical backgrounds to contribute to national security. The selection process will be based on GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) scores from 2023, 2024, or 2025, with a total of 258 vacancies available across two disciplines—Computer Science & Information Technology (CS & IT) and Electronics & Communication (E&C). Eligible candidates with valid GATE scores and the required educational qualifications are encouraged to apply and become part of one of India’s leading intelligence agencies, using their technical expertise to strengthen the country’s security framework
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Start Date | October 25, 2025 |
| Online Application Closing Date | November 16, 2025 (up to 11:59 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment (Offline Challan) | November 18, 2025 (during bank hours) |
Job Vacancy Details
| Stream | UR | EWS | OBC | SC | ST | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science & Information Technology | 40 | 7 | 24 | 13 | 6 | 90 |
| Electronics & Communication | 74 | 14 | 44 | 24 | 12 | 168 |
| Grand Total | 114 | 21 | 68 | 37 | 18 | 258 |
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the post of Assistant Central Intelligence Officer Grade-II/Technical (ACIO-II/Tech), candidates must meet both the educational qualification and age requirements set by the Intelligence Bureau (IB).
Educational Qualification
Applicants must fulfill both of the following conditions:
- GATE Qualification:
- Candidates must have a valid GATE score in any of the following papers:
- Electronics & Communication Engineering (EC)
- Computer Science & Information Technology (CS)
- The GATE score must be from the 2023, 2024, or 2025 examination.
- Educational Degree:
Candidates must possess a degree from a government-recognized institution in one of the following fields:B.E. / B.Tech in:
Electronics, Electronics & Telecommunication, Electronics & Communication, Electrical & Electronics, Information Technology, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science & EngineeringORM.Sc. in:
Electronics, Computer Science, Physics with Electronics, or Electronics & CommunicationOR- MCA (Master of Computer Applications)
Age Limit
Candidates must be between 18 and 27 years of age as of the closing date of application — November 16, 2025.
Age Relaxation
Certain categories of candidates are eligible for relaxation in the upper age limit, as per government rules:
- SC/ST candidates: Up to 5 years of relaxation.
- OBC candidates: Up to 3 years of relaxation.
- Central Government Civilian Employees: Up to 40 years, provided they have rendered at least 3 years of continuous service.
- Widows, divorced women, and women judicially separated from their husbands (who have not remarried):
- Up to 35 years for UR candidates
- Up to 38 years for OBC candidates
- Up to 40 years for SC/ST candidates
- Ex-Servicemen (ESM): Age relaxation will be applicable as per Government of India norms.
Application Process
How to Apply
- Applications must be submitted online only.
- Candidates should apply through the official websites:
www.mha.gov.in
www.ncs.gov.in - No other mode of application (such as by post or in person) will be accepted.
Application Fee
The application fee consists of two components:
- Recruitment Processing Charges: ₹100
- Examination Fee: ₹100
Fee Details by Category
| Category | Recruitment Processing Charges | Examination Fee | Total Fee Payable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male candidates of UR, EWS, and OBC categories | ₹100 | ₹100 | ₹200 |
| SC/ST candidates, all women candidates, and eligible Ex-Servicemen | ₹100 | Exempted | ₹100 |
Payment Methods
Applicants can pay the fee through any of the following methods:
- Online: Debit Card, Credit Card, UPI, or Internet Banking
- Offline: SBI Challan (payment to be made during bank working hours)
Salary and Benefits
The position of Assistant Central Intelligence Officer Grade-II/Technical (ACIO-II/Tech) offers an attractive salary package along with several allowances and benefits.
- Pay Level: Level–7 (as per the 7th Central Pay Commission)
- Pay Scale: ₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400
Additional Allowances
- Special Security Allowance (SSA):
Eligible employees receive an additional 20% of basic pay as Special Security Allowance. - Extra Duty Allowance:
Employees who are required to work on holidays are entitled to extra remuneration, subject to a maximum of 30 days in a calendar year.
Selection Process
The selection for the post of Assistant Central Intelligence Officer Grade-II/Technical (ACIO-II/Tech) will be conducted in multiple stages to assess both technical expertise and overall suitability for the role.
Shortlisting
- Candidates will be shortlisted based on their valid GATE scores from 2023, 2024, or 2025.
- The number of candidates shortlisted will be approximately ten times the number of vacancies available in each category and discipline.
Skill Test
- Shortlisted candidates will be required to appear for a Skill Test, designed to evaluate their practical and technical abilities relevant to the position.
Interview
- Candidates who qualify in the Skill Test will be called for an Interview.
- The interview will assess both subject knowledge and communication skills to determine the candidate’s overall suitability.
Final Selection
- The final merit list will be prepared based on the combined performance in the GATE exam, Skill Test, and Interview.
- The final selection will be subject to document verification and fulfillment of eligibility criteria.
Weightage of Selection Components
There will be no written examination for the recruitment of Assistant Central Intelligence Officer Grade-II/Technical (ACIO-II/Tech). The final selection will be based on the combined performance of candidates across three stages — GATE score, Skill Test, and Interview — with a total of 1175 marks.
| Component | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|
| GATE Score (2023 / 2024 / 2025) | 750 |
| Skill Test | 250 |
| Interview | 175 |
| Total | 1175 |
Syllabus
The official notification for the Assistant Central Intelligence Officer Grade-II/Technical (ACIO-II/Tech) recruitment does not specify a detailed syllabus. However, the topics you should prepare for are based on the three stages of selection — GATE score, Skill Test, and Interview.
GATE Score
- The syllabus for this stage is the official GATE syllabus for your respective discipline:
- Electronics & Communication Engineering (EC)
- Computer Science & Information Technology (CS)
- Your performance in the GATE exam forms the foundation for the rest of the selection process.
Skill Test
- No specific syllabus has been provided for the Skill Test.
- The test will be practical and hands-on, focusing on real-world technical applications.
- Candidates should be prepared for tasks such as:
- Programming or coding exercises
- Network setup and troubleshooting
- Circuit analysis and hardware-related tasks
Interview
- The interview will evaluate your understanding of core subjects, analytical thinking, and communication skills.
- Questions may be based on your academic background, GATE syllabus topics, and practical problem-solving ability relevant to the job role.
Preparation Tips
To succeed in the Intelligence Bureau (IB) ACIO-II/Technical selection process, candidates must prepare strategically across all stages — GATE, Skill Test, and Interview. Below are some focused tips to help you perform your best:
Focus on Your GATE Score
- The GATE score carries the highest weightage (750 out of 1175 marks) in the final selection.
- If you are appearing for GATE 2025, prioritize your exam preparation — revise concepts, practice previous year papers, and strengthen problem-solving speed and accuracy.
Practice Your Technical Skills
- The Skill Test is practical and hands-on, so conceptual understanding alone won’t be enough.
- For CS/IT candidates, practice coding, database management (SQL), and computer networking.
- For E&C candidates, work on circuit design, signal processing, and communication systems.
Deepen Your Subject Knowledge
- The Interview evaluates how well you understand your core subjects.
- Review all key areas from your degree curriculum and be prepared to discuss your final-year project, technical applications, and problem-solving approaches in detail.
Strengthen Your Communication Skills
- Clear and confident communication is essential during the interview.
- Practice explaining complex technical ideas in simple and precise language to show both subject clarity and confidence.
Admit Card
Candidates who are shortlisted based on their GATE scores (2023, 2024, or 2025) will receive admit cards for the Skill Test and Interview stages.
- The admit card will be available for download from the official Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) website: www.mha.gov.in.
- Candidates will be informed about the release date and download instructions through official notifications.
- It is mandatory to carry a printed copy of the admit card along with a valid photo ID when appearing for the Skill Test or Interview.
Result
The final result will be prepared based on candidates’ combined performance in the GATE, Skill Test, and Interview, with a total score of 1175 marks.
- The merit list of selected candidates will be published on the official MHA website after the completion of all selection stages.
- Candidates are advised to regularly check www.mha.gov.in for updates regarding results, document verification, and appointment procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the post offered under this recruitment
The post is Assistant Central Intelligence Officer Grade-II/Technical (ACIO-II/Tech) under the Intelligence Bureau (IB), Ministry of Home Affairs
How many vacancies are available
There are a total of 258 vacancies — 90 for Computer Science & Information Technology (CS & IT) and 168 for Electronics & Communication (E&C)
What is the mode of application
The application process is completely online through www.mha.gov.in or www.ncs.gov.in
What is the age limit to apply
Candidates must be between 18 and 27 years old as of November 16, 2025
Is there any age relaxation
Yes, age relaxation is provided for SC/ST, OBC, Ex-Servicemen, women candidates, and Central Government employees as per government norms
Conclusion
Intelligence Bureau (IB) ACIO-II/Technical Recruitment 2025 presents a prestigious opportunity for young and talented Indian graduates to serve the nation through their technical expertise. With selection based on GATE scores, hands-on skill evaluation, and personal interviews, the process ensures that only the most capable candidates join one of India’s most respected intelligence agencies. Eligible aspirants are encouraged to apply early, prepare diligently, and contribute their skills to strengthening national security.