Introduction
The Intelligence Bureau’s ACIO Grade-II exam is one of the most competitive recruitment gateways. With Tier 1 now done, your focus must shift to Tier 2 (Descriptive) — where clarity of thought, analytical depth, and crisp expression make or break success. In 2025, the IB has officially redefined the descriptive paper structure. This article gives you both the latest pattern and a full roadmap to ace it.
1. Official Exam Pattern for Tier 2, 2025
According to the official notification, the descriptive paper in Tier II is 50 marks total, to be completed in 1 hour. The breakdown is:
| Section | Marks | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Essay | 20 | Pick any one topic; ~350–400 words |
| English Comprehension | 10 | Passage + sub-questions |
| Two Long Answer Questions | 2 × 10 = 20 | On Current Affairs, Economics, Socio-Political issues etc |
This structure (20 + 10 + 20) is confirmed in the notification screenshot provided below:
Key points from official sources:
- Essay weight reduced compared to some older papers (where essay used to carry 30 marks).
- Comprehension is a distinct segment, not bundled within the essay.
- Two analytical questions test your topic awareness and reasoning on socio-political / economic themes.
- You need to secure at least ~33% marks in this paper to pass (i.e. about 17 out of 50) as per some notification references.
Thus, your preparation must be balanced: not just essay writing, but also comprehension prowess and depth in current-affairs / analytical writing.
2. What This Shift Implies & Why It Matters
A. Balanced Focus Rather than One-sided Weight
In past years, students often over-invested time mastering essay writing under the assumption of heavier weight. In 2025, that risk is unwise. The 20-mark essay is important, but collectively, the two long answers (20 marks) and comprehension (10 marks) form 60% of the paper. You must allocate your preparation proportionally.
B. Depth over Breadth in Analytical Topics
The long-answer questions will likely probe your understanding of contemporary issues — economics, governance, policy, social justice, environment, global affairs. You need:
- insights backed by data / examples
- structured arguments (cause-effect, pros-cons, suggestions)
- clarity & coherence
📝 Memorizing facts alone is insufficient.
C. Time Management Becomes Critical
You have only 60 minutes for all three parts. A smart allocation might look like:
| Task | Time Allocated (suggested) |
|---|---|
| Planning & outlining all 3 parts | 5 min |
| Essay writing | 20–25 min |
| Comprehension & sub-answers | 10 min |
| Two long answers | 15–18 min (say 8–9 min each) |
| Review / corrections | 2–5 min |
Practicing full mocks under timed conditions is vital so this balance becomes instinctive.
D. Comprehension Is Non-Negligible
Don’t treat comprehension as an afterthought. A 10-mark passage with sub-questions will test your ability to:
- grasp key ideas, tone, inference
- respond concisely
- frame precise answers
This segment can significantly boost or pull down your total score, especially in close contests.
3. Study & Writing Strategy: Step-by-Step Blueprint
3.1 Build the Foundation: Language, Logic & Awareness
- Strengthen vocabulary, grammar, linking expressions
- Read high-quality editorials, reports, opinion pieces daily
- Maintain a topic bank (environment, technology & society, globalization, security, governance, etc.)
3.2 Practice Essay Writing Regularly
- Write 3–4 essays per week (~350–400 words) on diverse topics
- Time yourself (max 25 minutes)
- Use clear structure: Introduction → Body (2–3 arguments with examples) → Counterpoint (if needed) → Conclusion with suggestions
3.3 Analytical / Long-Answer Writing
- Pick current topics and write long answers (8–12 minute versions)
- Use the “PEEL” method: Point → Explain → Example → Link back
- Always add policy suggestions or way forward
3.4 Comprehension & Short-Answer Drills
- Solve past comprehension passages and sub-questions
- Practice summarizing long articles in your own words (précis style) to hone conciseness
- Focus on inference, vocabulary in context, tone detection
3.5 Timed Full Mocks & Self-Assessment
- At least one full 50-mark descriptive mock weekly in last 6–8 weeks
- Evaluate yourself or get feedback — focus on coherence, language errors, redundancy, time overrun
3.6 Mistakes & Error Logs
- Maintain a “mistake log” — recurring grammar mistakes, weak logic zones, poor transitions
- Periodic revision of this log is essential
- Don’t ignore small language errors; they erode impression
4. Sample Prompt Ideas (for mock tests or practice posts)
Here are suggested essay / long-answer topic themes you can use in your practice:
Essay Topics (pick any one):
- “The rise of artificial intelligence — boon or threat to human employment?”
- “Climate change adaptation: Key to India’s future resilience.”
- “Digital surveillance and civil liberties: striking the balance.”
- “Rural development through urban linkage: the missing bridge.”
- “India at 2047: Vision, Challenges, and the Road Ahead.”
Long Answer / Analytical Questions (write two of these):
- What are the structural challenges in India’s economic growth in the post-COVID era?
- How can India strengthen its healthcare infrastructure in rural areas?
- Assess the role of social media in shaping public opinion — benefits & risks.
- What are the implications of climate migration on social equity?
- How far are government schemes successful in curbing unemployment?
Comprehension / Passage Themes:
- Health / nutrition paradox (obesity + malnutrition)
- Technological disruption & human adaptation
- Social justice, inequality, population dynamics
- Environmental degradation and policy responses
5. Tips for the Exam Day
- Read entire paper first — decide which long question you’ll answer first.
- Quick outline before you write — helps maintain direction.
- Write legibly & neatly — examiners appreciate structure, spacing, underlines.
- Use signposting phrases (“Firstly,” “Moreover,” “However,” “To conclude”)
- Stick to time blocks — do not overrun essay at cost of long answers.
- Reserve last 2–3 minutes for a quick proofread — fix glaring errors.
6. Why This Paper Tests the Real You
This isn’t about rote learning. Tier II is where expression meets substance. The examiners want to see your critical thinking, your ability to synthesize information, and your linguistic clarity. In real roles in the Intelligence Bureau or related, you may need to craft reports, analyze events, communicate clearly. This paper simulates exactly that.
In 2025’s revised pattern, the IB is signaling that balance — between language, comprehension, and analytical thinking — is what they value. So your prep must mirror that balance.
Conclusion & Call to Action
With the official 2025 pattern (20 + 10 + 20) confirmed, your roadmap becomes sharper. If you balance your resources—essay, comprehension, analytical writing—you’ll be well-positioned to maximize your score.