The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has officially released the notification for IB MTS (Multi-Tasking Staff) vacancies. Candidates aspiring to join the Intelligence Bureau can now apply and start preparing for the selection process. The exam is conducted in two stages - Tier 1 (objective) and Tier 2 (descriptive). In this article, we have provided a complete topic-wise breakdown of the IB MTS syllabus, so you can understand what to study and plan your preparation effectively.
What topics are covered in the IB MTS Tier 1 syllabus?
The Tier 1 syllabus covers basic to moderate-level topics that test a candidate's awareness, reasoning capability, calculation skills, and proficiency in English. The questions are straightforward but require regular practice to complete within the time limit. IB MTS Tier 1 Syllabus
| Section | Important Topics |
|---|
| General Awareness | History, Geography, Polity, Economy, General Science, Computers, Current events, Important dates, Books & authors, Government schemes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Simplification, Percentages, Ratio & proportion, Averages, Time & work, Profit & loss, Simple & compound interest, Number systems |
| Reasoning Ability | Analogies, Classification, Coding-decoding, Blood relations, Series, Directions, Non-verbal reasoning, Pattern recognition |
| English Language | Vocabulary, Synonyms/Antonyms, Error spotting, Cloze test, Reading comprehension, Sentence improvement |
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What is the IB MTS Tier 2 Syllabus?
Tier 2 is a descriptive exam that evaluates your writing clarity, grammar, and ability to express ideas in simple English. It includes a short paragraph, comprehension, and basic grammar usage. This round is qualifying, meaning you only need to score the minimum marks to move ahead.
| Component | Details |
|---|
| Nature of Exam | Descriptive |
| Total Marks | 50 |
| Duration | 1 hour |
| Qualifying Marks | 20 marks (minimum expected) |
| Type of Questions | Paragraph writing, comprehension, basic grammar tasks |
What topics are included in the IB MTS Tier 2 syllabus?
Tier 2 focuses on your ability to write clearly and accurately. You may be asked to write a short paragraph of around 150 words, answer comprehension questions, or correct grammar-based sentences. The purpose is to ensure you can understand and write basic English effectively. IB MTS Tier 2 Syllabus
| Area | Topics |
|---|
| Writing Skills | 150-word paragraph on simple topics (travel, daily routine, environment, social issues, etc.) |
| Comprehension | Short passage with factual/interpretation-based questions |
| Grammar & Vocabulary | Synonyms, antonyms, fill-in-the-blanks, sentence correction, basic tense usage |
What is IB MTS 2025 Exam Pattern?
The IB MTS Exam Pattern consists of two tiers: Tier 1- Objective Test and Tier 2- Descriptive Test.
IB MTS Tier 1 Exam Pattern 2025
The IB MTS Exam 2025, Tier 1 is conducted online, consists of 100 questions, and is held for 1 hour. The paper includes four sections: General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, and English, carrying a total of 100 marks.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|
| General Awareness | 40 | 40 | 1 hour |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 20 | 20 | |
| Reasoning & Analytical Ability | 20 | 20 | |
| English Language | 20 | 20 | |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 1 hour |
Note: Negative marking of ¼ mark for every incorrect answer.
IB MTS Tier 2 Exam Pattern 2025
Although Tier 2 is qualifying, the final merit list is based on Tier 1 marks, provided the candidate clears this stage. Candidates scoring at least 20 out of 50 are considered to have successfully qualified Tier 2.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|
| Mode | Written/Descriptive |
| Duration | 1 hour |
| Marks | 50 |
| Focus Areas | English grammar, comprehension, vocabulary, sentence construction, synonyms/antonyms, paragraph writing (150 words) |
| Minimum Qualifying Marks | 20/50 |
What is the final selection criteria for IB MTS?
The final selection is based mainly on Tier 1 performance. Tier 2 is qualifying, which means marks from Tier 2 are not added to the final merit list. Candidates who qualify Tier 2 undergo document verification before the final appointment.
IB MTS Final Merit Formation
| Stage | Considered for Merit? |
|---|
| Tier 1 | Yes |
| Tier 2 | No (Qualifying only) |
| Document Verification | Mandatory |
What are the key takeaways?
Below are the key takeaways:
- Tier 1 tests General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, and English.
- General Awareness includes History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Science, Computers, and Current Affairs.
- Quantitative Aptitude covers Simplification, Percentages, Ratio, Averages, Time & Work, Profit & Loss, and Number Systems.
- Reasoning Ability includes Analogies, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Series, Directions, and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
- English tests Vocabulary, Synonyms/Antonyms, Error Spotting, Cloze Test, Reading Comprehension, and Sentence Improvement.
- Tier 2 is a descriptive exam to test writing, grammar, and comprehension skills.
- Tier 2 includes paragraph writing (~150 words), short comprehension, and grammar tasks.
- Tier 2 is qualifying in nature, requiring a minimum of 20 marks to pass.
- Regular practice is needed for speed, accuracy, and clarity in both tiers.
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