IB ACIO Vacancy Details 2026

Category-Wise Vacancy Distribution

The Intelligence Bureau has declared a total of 3,717 vacancies for the ACIO Grade-II/Executive position in 2025. This allocation follows standard government reservation policies to ensure equitable opportunities across different categories. The distribution of these 3,717 posts is provided in the following table to help candidates understand the competitive landscape.

The Unreserved category carries the largest share of the vacancies, reflecting the open competition structure for the majority of the available seats. The OBC, SC, ST, and EWS categories follow, with specific allocations aimed at ensuring representation. It is important for candidates to note these figures, as they are crucial for understanding the cut-off trends and the level of competition for their respective categories. This vacancy breakdown provides a clear view of how the 3,717 positions are spread across the various segments, and candidates should align their preparation efforts with the availability of seats in their respective categories.

Historical Context and Trends

The recruitment of Assistant Central Intelligence Officers (ACIO) Grade-II/Executive by the Intelligence Bureau is a major event in the Indian government’s annual calendar. The 2025 recruitment, featuring 3,717 vacancies, marks a significant intake, reflecting the organization’s continuous need for skilled personnel to monitor internal security. Historically, the vacancy numbers for this role tend to fluctuate based on the specific intelligence needs and operational requirements of the agency at a given time. These fluctuations are managed by the Ministry of Home Affairs to ensure that the Intelligence Bureau remains adequately staffed to address contemporary security challenges.

When reviewing recruitment trends, it is evident that this role remains one of the most competitive in the public sector. The high volume of vacancies often attracts a vast number of applicants from diverse academic backgrounds across India. Because this is a direct, national-level recruitment, the pattern of vacancies is often influenced by the necessity of replacing retiring officers and the creation of new intelligence cells, which often leads to large-scale recruitment drives. Unlike some other competitive exams that have consistent, predictable intake numbers every year, the IB ACIO recruitment is highly responsive to the evolving threat landscape and administrative restructuring within the Intelligence Bureau.

Furthermore, the shift toward a more standardized, digitized selection process in recent years has made it easier to manage the high volume of applications that typically follow the announcement of these vacancies. As the number of applicants generally far exceeds the number of available positions—3,717 in this instance—the vacancy trend reinforces the necessity for rigorous, high-quality preparation. Aspirants observing these trends should understand that while the total number of vacancies might vary, the standard of excellence required to secure a position remains consistently high. Historical data regarding cut-offs and selection percentages continues to serve as a vital benchmark for candidates aiming for this highly coveted Grade-II Executive position, emphasizing the importance of securing a score well above the category-specific threshold.