How to become a CBI Officer in India- Mindler Blog
Do you enjoy solving a mystery while conducting an investigation?
Do you have the instincts to figure out what’s behind a fraudulent action?
If that’s the case, you’re in for an exciting career that not only puts your analytical skills to the test but also helps you grow as a person!
The “Central Bureau of Investigation” is the place for you if you’re searching for a career that’s both challenging and gratifying. This specialized investigating entity is well-known in general, however, many students are unaware of the procedure for becoming a CBI officer.
So, what should be the first move towards this prestigious career? Let’s take a look at it as we’ll walk you through everything that you may need to know.
What is the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)?
Back in 2009, there was a corporate controversy involving Satyam Computer Services, an Indian enterprise, in which the chairman admitted to defrauding the company of Rs.7000 crores in accounts. With the help of specially trained investigators, they were able to discover the manipulation done in the company’s account. Who do you think were those officers and from where do they come from?
Those officials were from the Central Bureau of Investigation, hopefully, this has given you some insights into how the CBI performs on cases.
For those who haven’t figured it out yet, the Central Bureau of Investigation is a premier investigating agency of the country which enjoys the trust of the people, Parliament, Judiciary, and the Government. It is usually entrusted with cases of corruption, economic crimes, special crimes, and other high-profile matters by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions.
You now have a better understanding of what CBI does and who they are. Let us furnish a checklist that will assist you in landing your ideal career!
Eligibility criteria
Cracking Entrance Examinations (SSC-CGL Exam, and UPSC Exam)
Groundwork for Entrance Exams
Eligibility Criteria
There are a few ways of getting there, but the eligibility requirements are the same for all. If you are a 12th-grade student enthusiastic about becoming a CBI officer, you must graduate from a recognized university with a minimum of 50 percent in any discipline. Besides that, the minimum age limit is 20 years, and the maximum age limit is 27 years, with a 5-year concession for SC/STs and a 3-year relaxation for OBCs. You can explore the top courses to pursue after 12th and pick the course that suits you, along with developing your skills and knowledge in the coming years.
Cracking Entrance Examination
As we’ve already discussed, there are a few routes to be a CBI agent. The first route is to qualify for the SSC-CGL Exam. All the lower division recruitment from group B and group C to Sub Inspector in CBI is done through SSC. (Staff Selection Commission)
SSC-CGL is conducted in four tiers, Tier-1 and Tier-2 are online format exams whereas Tier-3 is an offline format and Tier-4 is a computer skill test.
Tiers
Sections/ Papers
Total Marks
Time Duration
Tier-1
General intelligence and reasoning, General awarenessQuantitative Aptitude, and English comprehension.Each section contains 25 questions
Maximum marks 200
A cumulative time of 60 minutes
Tier-2
Paper- 1Quantitative Ability (100 questions)Paper-2 Statistics(100 questions)Paper-3 General Studies (Finance & Economics) (100 questions)Paper-4 English Language and Comprehension (200 questions)
Each paper is of 200 marks, therefore the maximum marks to obtain is 200 each.
2 hours is the time allotted for each paper.
Tier-3
A Descriptive Paper in English/Hindi (Writing of Essay, Precis, Letter, Application etc.)
Exam consists of 100 marks
60 minutes
Tier-4
It will be split into 2 parts: the DEST test and the CPT test. DEST requires you to write 2000 words on a computer in 15 minutes, whereas CPT assesses your ability in Word Processing, Spreadsheets, and Slide Generation.
You will not only need to focus on your intellectual skills to get a spot in the arena, but you will also need to meet the physical standards. Your physical and mental stamina, as well as your capacity to cope with a variety of physically demanding conditions, will all be put to the test here.
After successful completion of the first two phases, you will be interviewed by a panel of CBI who will test your talents once more to see if you are the perfect candidate.
What if you don’t want to go above and beyond this long process? Is there any other way to do it? Yes, you can get promoted to CBI Group A officer without having to wait in a big line. However, that will be a tough nut to crack, which will require you to vigorously explore your career aspirations. The UPSC Civil Services Examinations are the second way to become a CBI agent. You must pass this with a high adequate score to be considered for the Indian Police Service (IPS).
There are three levels to the Civil Services examination. The prelims, mains, and personal interviews, to be specific.
The UPSC Prelims consisted of two objective-type tests with a total of 400 marks (General Studies I and General Studies II or CSAT). In most cases, both papers are given in two sessions on the same day through offline mode (pen-paper). The General Studies I exam has 100 questions, whereas the CSAT exam has 80 questions, and both exams last two hours. Following that, there will be a mains exam and a personal interview. You will have 8 papers to complete here, and you will be able to select the service you want to be prioritized for.
Groundwork for Entrance Exams
If you genuinely want to know how to get into CBI, you should follow these guidelines to crack your entrance exam.
Make a timetable and stick to it. Make certain that you give equal time to each subject.
Iron out as many mock tests as you can. Because you will have limited time for the exam, taking a lot of mock tests will help you speed up.
Begin reading newspapers such as The Hindu and The Indian Express on a regular basis to stay up to date on pertinent incidents.
Always analyse everything you study and believe in yourself.
Maintain your motivation and resist negative influences.
Conclusion
I hope that this comprehensive explanation has cleared up all your confusion about how to become a CBI officer. Before making any career decisions, make sure you put in some extra time and thought. If you need support in planning your years ahead and executing your career roadmap, reaching out for career counselling online will be a beneficial option during these crucial times.
