The Intelligence Bureau (IB), under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), has officially announced that the IB ACIO Answer key out 2025 for the Phase 1 Examination 2025. This is a crucial step in the recruitment process of the Assistant Central Intelligence Officer (ACIO) Grade-II/Executive posts.
Every year, lakhs of aspirants prepare for this prestigious exam because the ACIO role in the Intelligence Bureau is considered both challenging and highly respectable. With the release of the provisional answer key, candidates can now check their responses, calculate their tentative scores, and raise objections if they find any discrepancies.
In this blog post, we will cover everything step by step – from how to download the IB ACIO answer key, to the objection process, important dates, expected cut-off, and the next stages in the selection procedure. If you are searching for “IB ACIO Answer Key Out 2025,” this detailed guide will provide all the answers you need.
IB ACIO Answer Key Out 2025 | Download PDF, Raise Objections & Cut-Off
What is the IB ACIO Exam?
Before diving into the details of the answer key, let us quickly understand the importance of this exam.
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Full Form: Assistant Central Intelligence Officer
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Conducting Body: Intelligence Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs
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Post: ACIO Grade-II/Executive
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Job Profile: Maintaining national security, intelligence gathering, counter-intelligence, and supporting senior officers in crucial investigations.
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Selection Process:
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Phase 1 (Written Exam) – Objective type test.
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Phase 2 (Descriptive Exam) – Essay and English comprehension.
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Interview/Personality Test.
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The release of the IB ACIO answer key out marks the conclusion of Phase 1, which acts as the qualifying stage for further rounds.
IB ACIO Answer Key Out 2025 – Key Highlights
Here are the most important details related to the recently released answer key:
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Exam Name: IB ACIO 2025 (Phase 1)
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Answer Key Released On: September 22, 2025 [Times of India report]
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Official Website: mha.gov.in
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Login Credentials Required: User ID & Password OR Date of Birth
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Objection Window: Open for a limited period (generally 3–5 days after release)
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Next Stage: Descriptive Paper (Phase 2)
This announcement ensures transparency in the recruitment process and allows candidates to check for discrepancies before final results are declared.
How to Download IB ACIO Answer Key 2025? (Step-by-Step Guide)
Many aspirants struggle with downloading the answer key due to heavy traffic on the official site during release. Follow this step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Visit the Official Website
Go to the Ministry of Home Affairs’ official portal: www.mha.gov.in.
Step 2: Find the IB ACIO Answer Key Link
On the homepage, locate the “What’s New” or Recruitment Section, where the latest updates are published.
Step 3: Login with Credentials
Click on the link for “IB ACIO Answer Key 2025 – Phase 1.” Enter your User ID and Password (or date of birth if applicable).
Step 4: View and Download
Once logged in, your response sheet along with the official answer key will appear. Download the PDF for future reference.
Step 5: Save a Hard Copy
Take a printout of both the answer key and your response sheet. This will be useful in case you need to raise objections.
Why is the IB ACIO Answer Key Important?
The release of the answer key serves multiple purposes:
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Self-Assessment: Candidates can cross-check their answers.
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Transparency: Ensures fair evaluation and reduces errors.
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Score Estimation: Helps candidates predict their chances of qualifying.
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Objection Facility: Gives aspirants the right to point out mistakes.
The fact that the IB ACIO answer key out now allows you to estimate your score is a relief for thousands of aspirants awaiting results.
How to Calculate Your Score Using IB ACIO Answer Key
The IB ACIO Phase 1 exam follows an objective format with negative marking. Here’s how you can calculate your score:
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Correct Answer: +1 mark
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Wrong Answer: –0.25 mark
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Unanswered: 0 marks
Formula:
For example:
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Correct Answers = 75
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Incorrect Answers = 20
Score = (75 x 1) – (20 x 0.25) = 75 – 5 = 70 marks
This tentative score will give you an idea of whether you may clear the cut-off.
Objection Process for IB ACIO Answer Key
The Ministry of Home Affairs provides a window to raise objections. Here’s how:
Step 1: Log in to the official portal using your ID and password.
Step 2: Click on “Challenge Answer Key/Objection Form.”
Step 3: Select the question and upload proof supporting your claim.
Step 4: Pay the objection fee (if applicable).
Step 5: Submit within the deadline.
The objections will be reviewed by experts, and if valid, the corrections will be made before releasing the final answer key.
Expected Cut-Off for IB ACIO 2025
While the official cut-off will be declared later, based on previous trends, here are the expected cut-offs (Phase 1):
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General Category: 65–70 marks
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OBC Category: 60–65 marks
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SC/ST Category: 50–55 marks
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EWS Category: 60–65 marks
These are tentative and may vary depending on exam difficulty and number of candidates.
What’s Next After IB ACIO Answer Key Out?
Once the provisional answer key and objections are settled, the next stages are:
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Final Answer Key & Result Declaration
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The final answer key will be published after objection resolution.
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Results will be declared on the same portal.
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Phase 2 (Descriptive Paper)
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Essay writing and comprehension test in English.
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Focus on current affairs, internal security, and analytical writing.
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Interview/Personality Test
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Final stage to assess suitability for the role.
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Tips for Candidates After Answer Key Release
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Check Scores Early: Don’t wait until the last day to download the key.
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Compare with Cut-Offs: Analyze where you stand.
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Raise Valid Objections: Only challenge questions with strong evidence.
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Prepare for Phase 2: Start descriptive preparation immediately, as results may come soon.
Common Issues Faced by Candidates
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Website Not Loading: Due to high traffic, refresh or try at non-peak hours.
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Forgot Credentials: Use “Forgot Password” option on login page.
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PDF Not Opening: Update your PDF viewer.
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Objection Fee Payment Errors: Retry with another payment method.
FAQs- on IB ACIO Answer Key Out 2025
Q1. Is the IB ACIO answer key out for 2025?
Yes, the IB ACIO answer key out for the Phase 1 examination has been released by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on its official website mha.gov.in.
Q2. Where can I download the IB ACIO answer key?
You can download the IB ACIO answer key directly from the official MHA portal by logging in with your User ID and Password.
Q3. Do I need login details to access the IB ACIO answer key?
Yes, you must use your registration number/User ID and password or date of birth to access the answer key and response sheet.
Q4. Can I raise objections if I find mistakes in the IB ACIO answer key?
Absolutely. MHA provides an objection window where you can challenge any discrepancies in the provisional answer key by submitting proof and paying a small fee (if applicable).
Q5. What is the last date to raise objections to the IB ACIO answer key out 2025?
The objection window usually remains open for 3–5 days after the release of the answer key. Candidates must check the official notification for the exact deadline.
Q6. How much is the objection fee for IB ACIO answer key challenges?
Generally, the fee is around ₹100 per question, but candidates should verify the exact fee mentioned in the official notification.
Q7. How do I calculate my score using the IB ACIO answer key?
You can calculate your score using this formula:
Score = (Correct Answers × 1) – (Wrong Answers × 0.25).
Unattempted questions carry no marks.
Q8. When will the final IB ACIO answer key be released?
The final answer key will be released after evaluating all objections. It is usually published along with or just before the official result declaration.
Q9. What happens after the IB ACIO answer key out stage?
After the provisional and final answer keys, the results will be declared. Qualified candidates will then move to Phase 2 – Descriptive Paper, followed by the Interview round.
Q10. What is the expected cut-off for IB ACIO 2025?
The expected cut-off is:
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General: 65–70 marks
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OBC: 60–65 marks
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SC/ST: 50–55 marks
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EWS: 60–65 marks
(The official cut-off will be announced along with results).
Conclusion
The release of the IB ACIO answer key out is an important milestone for all aspirants of the Intelligence Bureau recruitment process. It not only provides clarity on performance but also ensures fairness by allowing objections.
Candidates are advised to download the answer key immediately, calculate their tentative scores, and prepare for the descriptive exam without delay. The Intelligence Bureau ACIO post is prestigious, and every step counts toward securing this role.
Stay updated on the official website mha.gov.in for the latest announcements regarding results, cut-offs, and further stages