Dear candidates, the notification for IB ACIO has been published, offering 3717 positions. This recruitment aims to fill the role of Assistant Central Intelligence Officer Grade–II/Executive (ACIO-II/Exe) in the General Central Service, Group 'C' (Non-Gazetted, Non-Ministerial). Applicants must pass the Tier 1 (Written examination), Tier 2 (Descriptive paper), and Tier 3 (Interview) phases to qualify as an IB ACIO. Prospective candidates should submit their applications by 10th August, 2025 (23:59 hrs). The IB ACIO Grade II is a prestigious Group ‘C’ post under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India. It serves as the entry-level executive role in India’s domestic intelligence agency—the Intelligence Bureau (IB), leading to the Director of the Intelligence Bureau (DIB). This page deals with the complete details of the IB ACIO Promotion Chart in hierarchical order. For any queries, kindly visit the FAQs listed below.

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IB ACIO Promotion Chart in Hierarchical Order

The promotional chart for an IB ACIO is structured in a hierarchical order. The general promotional path for an ACIO begins at the Grade II level and ends with the Director of the Intelligence Bureau (DIB). Below is the IB ACIO Promotional Chart:

1. Assistant Central Intelligence Officer Grade-II (ACIO-II)

2. Assistant Central Intelligence Officer Grade-I (ACIO-I)

3. Deputy Central Intelligence Officer (DCIO)

4. Assistant Director (AD)

5. Joint Deputy Director (JDD)

6. Additional Deputy Director (ADD)

7. Deputy Director (DD)

8. Advisor

9. Special Director (SD)

10. Director – Intelligence Bureau (DIB)

1. IB ACIO Grade II (Entry-Level Officer)

• IB ACIO Grade II comes under Group 'C' (Non-Gazetted).

• The IB ACIO Grade II pay scale is Level 7 (Rs. 44,900–1,42,400) + allowances.

• Their main role are intelligence gathering, field operations, surveillance, report writing, and coordination with local law enforcement.

• Minimum 3–4 years of continuous service experience and good Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs) are needed for the promotion.

2. IB ACIO Grade I

• IB ACIO Grade I comes under Group 'B' (Non-Gazetted).

• The IB ACIO Grade I pay scale is Level 8 (Rs. 47,600 – Rs. 1,51,100) approximately.

• The main responsibilities for this post are supervisory responsibilities over ACIO-II officers, coordination of operations in larger zones or multiple units, and managing sensitive intelligence operations.

• The promotion from this post is based on seniority, departmental exam, and performance reports.

• The ACIO II officers will be promoted to ACIO I, usually after 3-4 years of service as ACIO II.

3. Deputy Central Intelligence Officer (DCIO)

• The IB DCIO post will fall under Group 'B' (Gazetted).

• The IB DCIO pay scale is Level 10 (Rs. 56,100 – Rs. 1,77,500) approximately.

• The main responsibilities for this post are in charge of operations in a particular district or city, intelligence analysis, training coordination, and high-priority field reports.

• The ACIO Grade I officers will be promoted as DCIO after 7-8 years of service as ACIO-I.

• They must clear departmental assessments and secure excellent performance ratings.

4. Assistant Director (AD)

• The IB AD will fall under Group 'A' (Gazetted).

• The IB Assistant Director (AD) Pay Level 11 (Rs. 67,700 – 2,08,700) approximately.

• The main responsibilities for this post are supervising DCIOs, planning high-level counterintelligence operations, data interpretation, and coordination with central/state agencies.

• The DCIO will be promoted to IB Assistant Director with substantial service in the DCIO role (typically 7+ years).

• The IB Assistant Director is selected through internal assessment and vacancy availability.

5. Joint Deputy Director (JDD)

• Joint Deputy Director (Executive) falls under the General Central Service, Group ‘A’, (Gazetted).

• The IB Joint Deputy Director (JDD) Pay Level is 12 (Rs. 78,800 – 2,09,200).

• The main responsibilities for this post are regional planning and operational oversight, strategic input into national security policies.

• Officers will be promoted to JDD after 5 years of regular service in Level-11 or equivalent, plus 10 years total, including 5 years in intelligence work.

6. Additional Deputy Director (ADD)

• The  Additional Deputy Director (ADD) will come under Group ‘A’ (Gazetted).

• They fall under the Pay Level 13 is Rs. 1,18,500 - 2,14,100.

• Typically, 10+ years’ experience is needed to become an IB Additional Deputy Director (ADD).

• The main role of an Additional Deputy Director in the Intelligence Bureau (IB) involves gathering, analysing, and disseminating intelligence related to internal and external threats to national security.

7. Deputy Director (DD)

• The Deputy Director (DD) will come under Group ‘A’ (Gazetted).

• The IB Deputy Director (DD) Pay Level is 13A (Rs. 1,31,100 – Rs. 2,16,600).

• The main responsibilities for this post are national-level intelligence coordination, working with senior MHA officials and inter-agency communication.

• Typically, 12+ years of experience and other qualifications are needed to become an IB DD.

8. Advisor

• In the Intelligence Bureau (IB), an Advisor would typically fall under Group A (Gazetted) officers.

• The IB Advisor is HAG Rs. 67000-79000 (equivalent to Level 15).

• The main role of an IB Advisor or Diploma Programme Coordinator is to manage the implementation of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in a school. This involves ensuring quality teaching, providing leadership, promoting the IB ethos, and supporting students and teachers.

• Typically, ten+ years of experience in various fields will qualify as an IB Advisor.

9. Special Director (SD)

• The Special Director (SD) of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) in India holds a senior position, usually held by an IPS officer, and is essential for the leadership and management of the organisation.  

• As one of the highest-ranking positions, this role reports directly to the Director.  

• The salary grade for a Special Director in the Intelligence Bureau (IB) is classified as Level 16 within the pay matrix.  

• Typically, the Special Director position is designated for senior officials with extensive experience in the IB.

10. Director of the Intelligence Bureau (DIB)

• The Director IB (DIB), who is a member of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC), is the chief of the Intelligence Bureau.

• They are appointed by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).

• Their Rank Equivalent to the Secretary to the Government of India.

• The main responsibilities for this post are Head of the IB, responsible for national-level intelligence operations, policy formulation, and inter-agency coordination.

Other Key Promotional Factors and Points

• In certain cases, outstanding performers or officers assigned to pivotal missions (such as anti-terrorism or border intelligence) may experience expedited promotions.

• The factors contributing to promotions include service performance, years of experience, departmental examinations/interviews, availability of vacancies, and vigilance clearance.

• Additionally, further training and assignments (particularly in regions like Jammu & Kashmir or the Northeast) can facilitate faster recognition.

• Officers frequently participate in training related to intelligence, foreign languages, cyber-intelligence, and leadership development.

• Advancements in rank often necessitate the completion of these training requirements.

FAQs

Q: What is the first promotion after joining as an IB ACIO Grade II officer?

After joining as an IB ACIO Grade II, the first promotion is to IB ACIO Grade I. This typically occurs after 3–4 years of continuous service, provided the officer has satisfactory Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs) and clears any required departmental exams or meets seniority benchmarks.

Q: How long does it take to become a Deputy Central Intelligence Officer (DCIO) in the IB?

To be promoted to DCIO, an officer generally needs to serve 7–8 years as an ACIO Grade I. The promotion is based on departmental assessments, performance ratings, and the availability of vacancies.

Q: What is the pay level and responsibility of an Assistant Director in the Intelligence Bureau?

An Assistant Director (AD) in the IB falls under Group 'A' (Gazetted) with Pay Level 11 (Rs. 67,700 – Rs. 2,08,700). The role involves supervising DCIOs, planning counterintelligence operations, interpreting intelligence data, and coordinating with central and state agencies.

Q: Who appoints the Director of the Intelligence Bureau, and what is their role?

The Director of the Intelligence Bureau (DIB) is appointed by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC). The DIB is the chief of the Intelligence Bureau, responsible for overseeing all national-level intelligence operations, policy decisions, and inter-agency coordination. Their rank is equivalent to the Secretary to the Government of India.