Assistant Section Officer vs Assistant Central Intelligence Officer Grade-II
Side by side on pay, work, transfers and growth — so you can rank your preferences with confidence.
Pay level
Pay Level 7Pay Level 7
Starting in-hand
₹72,000–₹84,000 in-hand₹72,000–₹84,000 in-hand
Group
Group BGroup C
Exam
SSC CGLIB ACIO
Qualification
GraduateGraduate
Age limit
18–3018–27
Field work
lowhigh
Stress (1–5)
34
Transfers
all indiaall india
First promotion
Section Officer (Group B gazetted) (8–12 years, or sooner through the limited departmental exam)Assistant Central Intelligence Officer Grade-I (6–10 years)
Choose Assistant Section Officer if…
- ✓ Special security allowance raises take-home pay above other Level 7 posts
- ✓ Lower age entry (18) than the Central Secretariat ASO
- ✓ Stable ministerial work in a respected organisation
Choose Assistant Central Intelligence Officer Grade-II if…
- ✓ Meaningful national-security work
- ✓ Special security allowance on top of Level 7 pay
- ✓ Graduate-level exam with fewer stages than SSC CGL plus a clear cadre