NICL AO IT Exam Pattern 2026: Phase I and II Marks

The NICL AO IT exam pattern 2026 has two online phases. Phase I has 100 questions for 100 marks in 60 minutes. Phase II for IT Specialists has six objective tests for 250 marks, plus a 30-mark descriptive test.

This page is part of the NICL AO IT Specialist 2026 guide.

NICL AO IT exam pattern 2026: Phase I (Prelims)

Phase I is common to all disciplines. It has no IT questions. Each section has a separate timer of 20 minutes.

The sections do not follow a fixed order. A candidate must get the passing marks in each section. NICL decides these marks. NICL then shortlists about 15 times the number of vacancies for Phase II.

Phase II (Mains): objective test for IT Specialists

The objective test lasts 3 hours and has six tests. The IT Specialist stream has one extra test on technical and professional knowledge. Each test has its own timer.

The Computer Knowledge test and the IT test carry 90 of 250 marks. That is 36% of the objective test. A candidate must get a minimum score in each test. A candidate also needs a minimum total score to reach the interview.

What is in the descriptive test?

The descriptive test follows the objective test at once. It is a test of English language for 30 marks in 30 minutes. The candidate types the answers on the computer.

NICL checks the descriptive answers of candidates who qualify in the objective test only. The descriptive test has its own cut-off. It is qualifying in nature. NICL does not count its marks for the interview shortlist or the final selection.

What is the negative marking in the NICL AO exam?

NICL deducts one-fourth of the marks of a question for each wrong answer. This rule applies to the objective tests of Phase I and Phase II. Each Phase I and Phase II question carries one mark. So a wrong answer costs 0.25 mark.

A question left blank has no penalty. The candidate selects an answer with a mouse click. The system highlights the chosen option and counts it as an answer.

How long does each phase take?

Phase I lasts 60 minutes. Phase II lasts 210 minutes. The candidate may need to stay at the venue longer. The venue needs time to verify documents, log in, and give instructions.

NICL may change the structure of the exam. The company posts any change on its website. Read the selection process page for the cut-off rules. Read the exam day checklist for the rules at the venue. See the exam date page for the dates.

Next step: see the salary and job profile of an IT Specialist officer.