In this article, we will cover the IB ACIO Cut Off for both Tier 1 and Tier 2 previous year, so you can get a clear idea of the exam’s difficulty and set realistic preparation goals.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has announced 3717 vacancies for the post of Assistant Central Intelligence Officer (ACIO) Grade-II/Executive in the Intelligence Bureau (IB). The IB ACIO Recruitment 2025 application was open from 19 July to 10 August 2025. Since the application process is now over, knowing the IB ACIO previous years’ cut-off marks is very important for those who have applied, as it helps in understanding the competition level and planning preparation accordingly.
The IB ACIO exam is conducted at the national level and is known to be highly competitive. If you are aiming for this exam, one of the first things you should check is the previous year’s cut-off marks. For complete details, read the full article below.
What is the IB ACIO Cut Off?
You know the cut-off is the lowest qualification mark in an exam. But sometimes it is not enough. It entirely depends on the number of vacancies, competition, and some other factors.
In IB ACIO, the cut-off applies to:
- Tier 1 (Objective)
- Tier 2 (Descriptive)
- Final Merit List (Tier 1 + Tier 2 + Interview combined)
Also Read: IB ACIO Grade 2 Salary 2025: In-Hand Pay, Perks, Job Profile & Career Growth
IB ACIO Cut Off 2025
If you know the Previous Year’s IB ACIO cut off marks in advance, you can plan your exam strategy better. When the past cut-offs were high, you needed to aim for more accuracy. When they were lower, it means the exam was tougher that year, so managing your time will be very important.
Below, we have provided the IB ACIO cut off marks of 2017 and 2015 for both Tier 1 and Tier 2 exams.
2017 Tier 1 IB ACIO Cut Off
In 2017, the Tier 1 IB ACIO cut off was moderate. There was a clear difference between the marks of Unreserved (UR) and Reserved category candidates. The exam difficulty level was considered average.
| IB ACIO Cut Off 2017 Tier 1 | |
|---|---|
| Category | Cut Off Marks (Out of 100) |
| UR | 65 |
| OBC | 60 |
| SC | 50 |
| ST | 50 |
2017 Tier 2 IB ACIO Cut Off
Tier 2 in 2017 was a descriptive paper. The cut-off was lower because it needed good writing skills and strong subject knowledge.
| IB ACIO Cut Off 2017 Tier 2 | |
|---|---|
| Category | Cut Off Marks (Out of 100) |
| UR | 30 |
| OBC | 25 |
| SC | 20 |
| ST | 20 |
2015 Tier 1 IB ACIO Cut Off
In 2015, the Tier 1 cut-off was higher than in 2017. This means the exam that year was a bit easier for most candidates.
| IB ACIO Cut Off 2015 Tier 1 | |
|---|---|
| Category | Cut Off Marks (Out of 100) |
| UR | 75 |
| OBC | 70 |
| SC | 65 |
| ST | 65 |
Factors Affecting IB ACIO Cut Off
The IB ACIO cut-off depends on several factors. When more seats are available, the cut-off tends to decrease, while fewer seats can push it higher. A difficult exam usually results in a lower cut-off. An increased number of applicants leads to tougher competition, which can raise the cut-off. Additionally, when many candidates achieve high scores, the cut-off marks also go up.
Tier-Wise Cut-Off Strategy: How to Plan Your Targets
Now, coming to the IB ACIO cut off 2025 strategy for you. I’ve explained both the Tiers accordingly.
Tier 1 Strategy:
- Target 80–85 marks
- Focus: Speed + Accuracy
- Suggestion – Focus on 90%+ accuracy.
Tier 2 Strategy:
- Essay & Precis writing carries 50 marks
- Focus: Structure, grammar, clarity
- Suggestion – Practice 2-3 essays and 2-3 precis in every alternative day on current national issues.
Interview Strategy:
- Weight: 100 marks
- Focus: Confidence, presence of mind, current affairs
- Suggestion: Prepare a strong introduction. Be updated on internal security. Focus on intelligence topics and geopolitics.
Also Read: IB ACIO Selection Process 2025: Check Tier-Wise Exam Stages and Preparation Strategy
The IB ACIO exam cut-off is just a benchmark. Your mission is to get a higher score. With dedicated planning and practice, you can achieve your goal. Just focus on smart work. Only understanding the cut-offs can help you design a scoring strategy. Just avoid guesswork. Appear more mock tests and solve previous year questions.
FAQs
Q1. Does IB release sectional cut offs?
Ans: No. Only overall cut-offs are announced officially.
Q2. Is there a fixed qualifying mark for Tier 2?
Ans: Yes, descriptive answers are evaluated only if you clear Tier 1.
Q3. Can a good interview score compensate for an average Tier 1 score?
Ans: Only to some extent. All stages carry separate weight.
Q4. Do cut-offs vary by gender?
Ans: No. Cut-offs are purely category-based, not gender-based.
Q5. Where can I check official cut offs?
Ans: Cut-offs are published on the official Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) website.
