Introduction – The Prestige of the IB ACIO Role
When it comes to careers that combine national service, intellectual challenge, and personal growth, few positions match the prestige of the Assistant Central Intelligence Officer (ACIO) Grade-II/Executive in the Intelligence Bureau (IB).
Operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the IB is India’s oldest intelligence agency, entrusted with safeguarding the nation’s internal security. ACIO officers play a key role in intelligence gathering, security operations, counter-intelligence, and liaison work with state agencies.
The IB ACIO exam is highly competitive, drawing aspirants from all parts of the country. Cracking it requires clarity of concepts, consistent practice, and a smart strategy. And for 2025 aspirants, GKP’s “IB ACIO 2025: Intelligence Bureau Grade-II/Executive Study Guide” is a resource that ticks all the boxes for complete preparation.
Understanding the IB ACIO 2025 Exam Structure
- Before diving into preparation, it’s essential to understand how the exam works, what it tests, and the recent trends.
Recruitment Stages
The IB ACIO selection process generally follows three stages:
1. Tier I – Objective Test (100 Marks)
o Duration: 1 Hour
o Sections:
§ General Awareness/Current Affairs – 20 Questions
§ Quantitative Aptitude – 20 Questions
§ Logical/Analytical Ability – 20 Questions
§ English Language – 20 Questions
§ General Studies – 20 Questions
o Negative Marking: 0.25 marks per wrong answer.
2. Tier II – Descriptive Test (50 Marks)
o Essay writing, comprehension, and precise writing.
o Designed to assess writing skills, analytical thinking, and clarity.
3. Interview (100 Marks)
o Personality assessment and suitability for intelligence work.
Why a Targeted Study Guide is Critical for IB ACIO Preparation?
Many aspirants make the mistake of collecting multiple books for different sections, which often leads to scattered preparation. The GKP IB ACIO 2025 Study Guide consolidates all five sections, the latest exam pattern, and solved papers into one resource, saving time and ensuring focus.
Key Features of the GKP IB ACIO 2025 Study Guide
1. Solved Papers from 2024 (Both Shifts)
Having access to real exam papers from the most recent session is a game-changer. You get:
- First-hand understanding of question styles.
- Clarity on the level of difficulty.
- Insight into topic-wise weightage.
Example:
In 2024, Quantitative Aptitude saw a heavier focus on arithmetic and data interpretation, while General Awareness leaned towards current events in defence, economy, and international relations.
2. Comprehensive Section-Wise Coverage
The book is organized into the five core areas tested in the exam:
a) Quantitative Aptitude
- Covers basics like percentages, ratio-proportion, time-speed-distance, geometry, and data interpretation.
- Includes step-by-step solved examples for better understanding.
- Followed by practice sets to strengthen calculation speed.
b) English Language
- Grammar rules explained in simple terms.
- Vocabulary-building exercises.
- Reading comprehension and sentence improvement drills.
c) General Studies
- Indian History, Polity, Geography, Economy, Science, and Culture.
- Useful for static GK coverage.
d) General Awareness / Current Affairs
- Updates on national & international news, sports, defence, awards, and important schemes.
- Designed to make revision quick and efficient.
e) Reasoning Ability
- Puzzles, coding-decoding, series, blood relations, and syllogisms.
- Solved examples to learn the logic.
- Timed practice for exam speed.
3. Concept + Practice Approach
Each chapter follows a three-step flow:
- Concept Explanation – Clear, concise theory.
- Solved Examples – Model solutions to understand the application.
- Practice Questions – Strengthen recall and problem-solving speed.
4. Time Management Focus
With 100 questions in 60 minutes, speed is crucial. The book includes:
- Shortcuts and tricks for Quant & Reasoning.
- Practice sets designed for time-bound solving.
- Tips to avoid negative marking.
How to Use the IB ACIO Guide for Maximum Results?
Step 1: Diagnostic Test
Attempt the 2024 solved papers as a mock test.
- Identify your strong and weak areas.
- Create a section-wise improvement plan.
Step 2: Section-Wise Study
Dedicate separate days to each section while maintaining daily current affairs reading.
Step 3: Practice after Learning
Don’t just read — solve the exercises.
Example: After studying “Profit & Loss” in Quant, immediately attempt the provided practice set.
Step 4: Weekly Mock Practice
Every week, attempt one full-length mock test in 60 minutes.
Step 5: Revise Smartly
Keep short notes of formulas, important GK facts, and vocabulary. Revise them daily.
Section-Wise Strategy Using GKP’s Guide
Quantitative Aptitude
- Focus Topics: Percentages, Profit & Loss, SI/CI, Time-Speed-Distance, DI.
- Strategy: Learn Vedic Math shortcuts, practice mental calculations.
- From the Book: Use solved examples to understand approaches.
English Language
- Focus Topics: Error spotting, reading comprehension, sentence arrangement.
- Strategy: Read English editorials daily.
- From the Book: Vocabulary exercises and grammar rules are concise.
Reasoning Ability
- Focus Topics: Coding-decoding, series, syllogisms, blood relations.
- Strategy: Time yourself for each puzzle.
- From the Book: Variety of difficulty levels for gradual improvement.
General Studies
- Focus Topics: Indian polity (Constitution), modern history, geography basics.
- Strategy: Make charts for quick revision.
- From the Book: Static GK is covered comprehensively.
Current Affairs
- Focus Topics: Past 6–8 months before the exam.
- Strategy: Read newspapers + monthly current affairs magazines.
- From the Book: Concise coverage to save revision time.
Why This Study Guide Stands Out?
Unlike generic competitive exam books, this guide is exclusive to IB ACIO, meaning:
- No irrelevant content.
- Latest question trends included.
- Direct alignment with the exam format.
Supplementary Tips for IB ACIO Aspirants
1. Read the Newspaper Daily
o Preferably The Hindu or The Indian Express.
o Helps in both Current Affairs & English comprehension.
2. Make a Revision Notebook
o One for formulas, one for GK facts.
o Revise daily in the last month.
3. Stay Exam-Ready Physically & Mentally
o Maintain a consistent sleep schedule.
o Practice stress management.
4. Mock Test Analysis
o After every mock, analyze your mistakes.
o Focus on weak areas in the next study cycle.
The IB ACIO exam rewards not just knowledge but preparedness, speed, and accuracy.
The GKP IB ACIO 2025 Study Guide is not just a book — it’s a complete preparation partner that:
- Saves you from hunting multiple sources.
- Gives you the latest 2024 solved papers.
- Trains you for time-bound performance.
If you want a structured, result-oriented approach for IB ACIO 2025, this guide can be the difference between attempting the exam and acing it.
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