The Intelligence Bureau Assistant Central Intelligence Officer (IB ACIO) exam is one of the most respected competitive exams in India. General Studies carries special importance because it checks how much a candidate knows about history, polity, geography, economy, and current affairs. this section becomes the deciding factor.
The smartest step is to understand the topics asked in General Studies in last year IB ACIO exam to prepare well. When candidates know what type of questions were asked earlier, theycan focus better on the most important areas and avoid wasting time. This article explains every subject that was covered in the previous exam, how many questions came from each area, and why they are important.
Topics Asked in General Studies in Last Year IB ACIO Exam
The General Studies section of IB ACIO is known for its wide coverage. The following are subject-by-subject topics asked in General Studies in last year IB ACIO exam.
Ancient History in Last Year IB ACIO General Studies
Ancient History carried good weightage last year. It included factual as well as conceptual questions. The repeated topics asked in General Studies in last year IB ACIO exam included:
Topic | Key Areas Covered in Exam |
Indus Valley Civilization | Sites (Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, Lothal), town planning, economy, seals, artefacts |
Vedic Era | Differences between Early and Later Vedic periods, social structure, religion, political system |
Buddhism | Four Noble Truths, Eightfold Path, Buddhist Councils, Gautama Buddha’s life and teachings |
Jainism | Founders like Mahavira, main principles (Ahimsa, Satya), sects (Shvetambara, Digambara) |
Mahajanapadas | Sixteen great kingdoms, features of republics and monarchies, important centres |
Mauryan Empire | Chandragupta Maurya’s administration, Ashoka’s Dhamma, Mauryan economy, Kautilya’s Arthashastra |
Guptas | Gupta rulers, achievements in literature (Kalidasa), science (Aryabhata), art, and architecture |
Medieval History in Last Year IB ACIO General Studies
Medieval History was equally important, though slightly lighter compared to ancient and modern history. The following are some topics asked in the General Studies in last year IB ACIO exam were:
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Early Arab invasions in India.
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Vijayanagar Empire
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Delhi Sultanate
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Mughal Empire
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Later Mughals and regional kingdoms.
Modern History in Last Year IB ACIO General Studies
Modern History continues to be the backbone of General Studies. A large number of topics asked in General Studies in last year IB ACIO exam belonged here. The following are topics:
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Portuguese presence in India
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Battle of Plassey and Bengal Renaissance.
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East India Company
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Sikh movements and Guru teachings.
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Indian National Congress (INC)
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Gandhian Movements
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Pre-Independence leaders
Polity Questions in Last Year IB ACIO General Studies
Polity had one of the highest weightages. It tested both static constitutional knowledge and applied understanding. The topics asked in General Studies in last year IB ACIO exam included:
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Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles.
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Constitutional Articles and Schedules.
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British-era Acts.
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Borrowed Features of the Indian Constitution.
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Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha – powers and roles.
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Preamble and its philosophy.
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Panchayati Raj institutions.
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Role of President, Prime Minister, and Governor.
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Important Amendments.
This makes Polity a high-scoring but vast section. Candidates should prepare from NCERTs, Laxmikant, and updated current affairs.
Geography Topics in Last Year IB ACIO General Studies
Geography was balanced between world and Indian contexts. The following are key topics asked in General Studies in last year IB ACIO exam:
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World Geography
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Indian Geography
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Census data and population.
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Important straits and natural resources.
Geography questions often mix maps, physical features, and economic geography, so preparation must be holistic.
Economics Topics in Last Year IB ACIO General Studies
Economy focused on both theory and application. The topics asked in General Studies in last year IB ACIO exam were:
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RBI and banking structure.
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Taxes and Five-Year Plans.
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Sectors of economy.
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HDI (Human Development Index).
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Trade organisations like WTO, IMF.
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Reports and indexes.
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Securities and financial instruments.
Static GK and Culture in Last Year IB ACIO General Studies
Static GK and culture questions may look simple, but they can be tricky. The following are some topics asked in General Studies in last year IB ACIO exam included:
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Festivals and fairs.
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Temples, monuments, and architecture.
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Languages and personalities.
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Art forms and paintings.
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Highest, longest, and important landmarks.
Also Check:
IIB ACIO Preparation Tips | IB ACIO Books 2025 |
IB ACIO Apply Online 2025 |
Question Distribution in IB ACIO General Studies Analysis
The General Awareness section included questions from a wide variety of topics to check both current affairs knowledge and static subjects in the last IB ACIO exam. History and Polity were the most important, with 5 questions each. This makes them high-scoring areas to focus on. Subjects like Geography, Economy, and Static GK had a moderate number of questions. Art & Culture had only one question, This shows that the exam maintains a balanced mix of different subjects.
Below is the subject-wise question distribution from the last exam:
Subject | Number of Questions |
History | 5 |
Polity | 5 |
Geography | 3 |
Economy | 3 |
Static GK | 3 |
Art & Culture | 1 |
How to Prepare for General Studies in IB ACIO Exam?
The following are some strategies to prepare for IB ACIO General Studies based on previous analysis:
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Candidates should focus on History (especially Modern) and Polity as they carry maximum weightage.
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They should cover Ancient and Medieval by revising important dynasties, religious movements, and cultural events.
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Candidates should study Indian Geography deeply but also revise basic world geography.
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Revise Economy with focus on schemes, RBI, and indexes.
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Candidates should not ignore Static GK and Culture. They must prepare festivals, art forms, and monuments.
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Practice IB ACIO Previous Year Question Paper to identify repeated patterns.
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