IB ACIO Syllabus 2026: Tier 1 and Tier 2 Topics
The IB ACIO syllabus covers five Tier I sections, a descriptive Tier II paper and an interview. The Ministry of Home Affairs names the tests and sections in its notification but does not publish a topic-wise syllabus. The topic lists below are built from the official notification and from questions asked in previous years. Use them as a working checklist, not as an official list.
This page uses the structure of the latest completed cycle, ACIO-II/Exe 2025, because no new notification had appeared on the MHA vacancies page as on 21 October 2026. It shows what to study in each section, where to start and how the stages overlap, so you can use your time well. For marks and timing, see the IB ACIO exam pattern page.
Table of Contents
IB ACIO Syllabus at a Glance
Stage | Section | Questions or marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
Tier I (online) | Current Affairs | 20 questions, 20 marks | 60 minutes for the whole test |
Tier I (online) | General Studies | 20 questions, 20 marks | Included above |
Tier I (online) | Numerical Aptitude | 20 questions, 20 marks | Included above |
Tier I (online) | Reasoning | 20 questions, 20 marks | Included above |
Tier I (online) | English | 20 questions, 20 marks | Included above |
Tier II (descriptive) | Essay, comprehension, long answers | 50 marks | 60 minutes |
Tier III | Interview | 100 marks | Not fixed |
Key Changes to Know
Five sections in Tier I: The 2025 notification lists Current Affairs, General Studies, Numerical Aptitude, Reasoning and English, with 20 questions each.
Older pages differ: Some pages still show four sections or an older stage pattern. Older pages may still show these versions, so follow the official notification.
Descriptive paper: Tier II tests writing, not just knowledge, so it needs its own practice.
Tier I Syllabus
Tier I is an objective test with equal weight for each section. Because every section carries 20 marks, a weak area costs you as much as a strong area earns. The table gives topics to cover and the best place to start.
Section | Topics to cover | Start with |
|---|---|---|
Current Affairs | National and international news, government schemes, awards, summits, sports, defence and security developments | Last six months of events, then monthly revision |
General Studies | History, polity, geography, economy, general science, static GK | Polity and economy basics, then history and geography |
Numerical Aptitude | Simplification, percentages, ratio and proportion, profit and loss, time and work, average, interest, data interpretation | Simplification and percentages, which feed other chapters |
Reasoning | Series, coding-decoding, blood relations, direction sense, puzzles, syllogism, seating arrangement | Series, coding and direction sense, then puzzles |
English | Grammar, error spotting, vocabulary, synonyms and antonyms, sentence correction, reading comprehension | Grammar rules, then comprehension practice |
High-yield areas are current affairs and arithmetic, since both reward steady daily work. Reasoning puzzles can eat time, so practise leaving a puzzle set if it is not working after about two minutes.
Tier II Syllabus
Tier II is a descriptive paper of 50 marks with no printed syllabus. The 2025 structure had an essay, an English comprehension question and two long-answer questions.
Essay
Themes: Current affairs, economy, internal security, technology, environment and social issues.
Skills: A clear introduction, two or three argued points with examples, and a short conclusion.
English comprehension
Reading: A passage followed by questions that test understanding and your own wording.
Precis and summary: Practise cutting a passage to about a third of its length.
Long-answer questions
Subjects: Current affairs, economic issues and socio-political topics.
Format: Write about 150 to 200 words per answer with a point, an explanation and an example.
The split of marks across these parts is taken from the 2025 cycle and may change, so check the next notification.
Overlap Between Stages
Area | Tier I | Tier II | How to plan |
|---|---|---|---|
Current affairs | 20 objective questions | Essay and long-answer themes | Make one set of notes with facts and arguments |
Economy and polity | Part of General Studies | Long-answer topics | Study concepts once, then practise both formats |
English | Grammar and vocabulary | Comprehension and writing | Grammar helps both; add writing from week 4 |
Interview: Is There a Syllabus?
There is no syllabus for Tier III. The interview checks personality, awareness and suitability for intelligence work. Prepare your own profile, your hometown and educational background, current affairs and internal security issues. Honest, clear answers matter more than memorised ones.
How to Cover the IB ACIO Syllabus
Weeks 1 to 6: Build basics in arithmetic, reasoning and grammar. Read a newspaper daily.
Weeks 3 onward: Add 30 to 40 minutes of current affairs a day and write monthly notes.
Weeks 6 to 10: Take topic tests and short sectional tests. Begin weekly essay and answer-writing practice for Tier II.
Final phase: Attempt full-length papers, analyse them the same day and revise your error log.
Frequently Asked Questions
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