IB ACIO Answer Key 2025 Released : Check Details Here!

On September 22, 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) officially released the answer key for the IB ACIO Phase-1 Examination 2025. This development marks a crucial milestone in the recruitment process for the coveted Intelligence Bureau Assistant Central Intelligence Officer (ACIO) post. Thousands of candidates who appeared for the examination have been eagerly waiting to check their responses against the official answer key to estimate their scores and evaluate their chances of progressing to the next stage.

This article provides a detailed overview of the IB ACIO answer key release, including step-by-step instructions to download the answer key and response sheets, the objection raising process, and insights into the subsequent stages of recruitment. Additionally, we will discuss the importance of this phase for candidates and offer guidance on what steps to take next.

What is the IB ACIO Exam and Why Does It Matter?

The Intelligence Bureau Assistant Central Intelligence Officer (IB ACIO) exam is conducted annually by the Ministry of Home Affairs to recruit eligible candidates for intelligence and security roles in India’s premier internal intelligence agency—the Intelligence Bureau. The ACIO posts are highly competitive, drawing thousands of aspirants nationwide.

The recruitment process generally consists of multiple phases:

Phase-1 (Tier-1): A written objective-type examination.
Phase-2 (Tier-2): A descriptive exam.
Interview/Document Verification: The final stages to assess candidates’ overall suitability.

The Phase-1 exam serves as a filtering stage and tests candidates on various subjects such as General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, Logical/Analytical Ability, and English Language skills.

IB ACIO Phase-1 Exam 2025: Overview

The Phase-1 examination for IB ACIO 2025 was conducted recently in September 2025 (exact date may vary based on the region). The objective-type test consisted of 100 questions, with a total duration of 60 minutes. Candidates were tested on:

General Awareness
Quantitative Aptitude
Logical/Analytical Ability
English Language

The exam was held in multiple centers across India, drawing thousands of candidates aiming to clear the competitive first hurdle.

Release of the IB ACIO Answer Key 2025: What Candidates Need to Know

On September 22, 2025, the official provisional answer key for the IB ACIO Phase-1 exam was released on the Ministry of Home Affairs website (mha.gov.in). The answer key allows candidates to:

Cross-check their answers: Compare the answers they marked during the exam with the official correct answers.
Estimate their score: Calculate an approximate score by awarding one mark per correct answer and subtracting marks for any negative marking (if applicable).
Identify potential discrepancies: Candidates can spot errors or ambiguities in the answer key.

How to Download the IB ACIO Answer Key 2025

Candidates can easily access the answer key by following these steps:

Visit the Official MHA Portal: Go to https://www.mha.gov.in.
Navigate to the Recruitment Section: Look for the “Recruitment” tab or a direct link related to IB ACIO recruitment.
Find the IB ACIO Phase-1 Answer Key Link: Click on the notification titled “IB ACIO Answer Key 2025 – Phase 1”.
Login to Your Account: Use your registration number, roll number, date of birth, or password to log in.
Download Answer Key and Response Sheet: After login, you will find your personal response sheet along with the provisional answer key. Download and save them for reference.

Source : Google

It is advisable to keep a digital and printed copy of the answer key and response sheet for future use.

Raising Objections: How and Why It’s Important

The IB ACIO recruitment process is transparent, allowing candidates to challenge any discrepancies or errors they find in the provisional answer key. This ensures fairness and accuracy in evaluation.

Objection Window

The objection window opens immediately after the answer key release.
Candidates are given a specific time frame (usually 5-7 days) to submit their objections.
Late submissions are not entertained, so punctuality is essential.

How to Submit Objections

Login to the Candidate Portal on the MHA website using the same credentials.
Locate the Objection Submission Link under the IB ACIO recruitment section.
Select the Question Number and provide valid reasoning along with supporting documents or references (if required).
Pay the Objection Fee (if applicable): Generally, there is a nominal fee per question challenged. This is refunded if the objection is accepted.
Submit Your Objections before the deadline.

The MHA committee will review all objections and make necessary corrections before publishing the final answer key.

Why the Answer Key and Objection Process Are Crucial

Fairness: Allows candidates to ensure that their evaluation is based on the correct set of answers.
Transparency: Publicly releasing the answer key and allowing objections promotes transparency in the recruitment process.
Confidence: Candidates get a clearer picture of their performance and can mentally prepare for the next stage.
Corrections: Errors in the question paper or answer key can be rectified, preventing candidates from being unfairly penalized.

After the Answer Key: What Comes Next?

Once the objection window closes, the Ministry of Home Affairs will:

Review all objections submitted by candidates.
Make necessary corrections to the answer key.
Release the Final Answer Key within a stipulated time.
Announce the results of Phase-1 based on the final key.
Shortlist candidates for the Phase-2 (Tier-2) descriptive examination based on cut-off marks.

Candidates who clear the cut-off will receive further communication regarding the date and syllabus for the Tier-2 exam. It is vital to stay updated on the official MHA website and through registered communication channels.

Tips for Candidates Post-Answer Key Release

Check Your Score Carefully: Use the official answer key and response sheet to calculate your tentative marks.
Analyze Weak Areas: Identify sections where you lost marks and focus on improving these before Tier-2.
Submit Valid Objections: If you find genuine mistakes, submit objections carefully with supporting evidence.
Prepare for Tier-2: Start revising the syllabus for the descriptive exam which tests comprehension, writing skills, and analytical ability.
Stay Updated: Follow official notifications and don’t rely solely on third-party sources.

Where to Find Official Information and Updates?

Official MHA Website: https://www.mha.gov.in
IB ACIO Recruitment Portal (within the MHA site)
Government Employment News and Notifications
Authorized Social Media Channels of MHA

Always verify information from official sources to avoid misinformation.

Final Thoughts

The release of the IB ACIO Answer Key 2025 is a significant event in the recruitment journey for thousands of candidates aspiring to join India’s Intelligence Bureau. This transparent step helps candidates assess their performance and ensures fairness through the objection process.

Candidates should take this opportunity seriously—review the answer key meticulously, raise legitimate objections if any, and prepare thoroughly for the next phases. The IB ACIO exam is known for its competitiveness, and every mark counts.

By staying informed, vigilant, and proactive, aspirants can enhance their chances of success and move closer to achieving their career goals in one of India’s most prestigious security organizations.