LIC Exams — 2026
AAO | ADO | Assistant
Exam Overview
- Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) is India's largest life insurance company and a Government of India enterprise. LIC recruits officers and assistants through competitive examinations conducted nationwide.
- AAO (Assistant Administrative Officer): Managerial/executive post in LIC's offices. Approximately 841 vacancies expected in 2026 across Generalist, IT, Chartered Accountant, Actuarial, and Rajbhasha streams. Eligibility: Bachelor's Degree with 60% (55% for SC/ST/PwBD), age 21-30 years. In-hand salary: ~Rs. 80,000-93,000/month.
- ADO (Apprentice Development Officer): Development officer responsible for agency recruitment and business procurement. 5,956+ vacancies in recent cycle; similar numbers expected in 2026. Eligibility: Bachelor's Degree, age 21-30 years. In-hand salary: ~Rs. 75,000-85,000/month plus commission.
- Assistant: Clerical cadre handling counter operations, customer service, and office administration. 5,000-8,000 vacancies expected. Eligibility: Bachelor's Degree, age 18-30 years. In-hand salary: ~Rs. 35,000-40,000/month. No interview — selection based on Mains merit.
- All exams are online (Computer Based Test). Negative marking: -0.25 per wrong answer. Age relaxation: SC/ST +5 yrs, OBC +3 yrs, PwBD +10 yrs.
- Assam: Exam centres available in Guwahati, Dibrugarh, and Silchar. LIC has divisional offices in Guwahati and branch offices across Assam. Knowledge of Assamese may be required for posting in Assam divisions.
Exam Pattern
LIC AAO — Prelims
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 |
| English Language | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Duration: 60 Minutes (20 min per section) | Negative Marking: -0.25 | Qualifying — marks not counted in final merit
LIC AAO — Mains
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 45 | 60 |
| General Knowledge & Current Affairs | 40 | 40 |
| Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation | 45 | 60 |
| Insurance & Financial Market Awareness | 40 | 40 |
| English Language | 30 | 40 |
| Total | 200 | 240 |
Duration: 120 Minutes | Negative Marking: -0.25 | + Descriptive Test: Essay & Precis Writing (25 marks, 30 minutes)
LIC ADO — Prelims
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 |
| English Language | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Duration: 60 Minutes (20 min per section) | Negative Marking: -0.25 | Qualifying
LIC ADO — Mains
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 45 | 60 |
| General Knowledge & Current Affairs | 40 | 40 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 45 | 60 |
| English Language | 30 | 40 |
| Total | 160 | 200 |
Duration: 120 Minutes | Negative Marking: -0.25 | Followed by Interview (25 marks)
LIC Assistant — Prelims
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 |
| English Language | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Duration: 60 Minutes (20 min per section) | Negative Marking: -0.25 | Qualifying
LIC Assistant — Mains
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General / Financial Awareness | 50 | 50 |
| General English | 40 | 40 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 |
| Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | 60 | 60 |
| Total | 200 | 200 |
Duration: 120 Minutes | Negative Marking: -0.25 | No Interview — final selection based on Mains merit only
Selection Process
LIC AAO
- Preliminary Examination (online, qualifying — 100 questions, 70 marks, 60 minutes)
- Main Examination (online, merit-based — 200 questions, 240 marks, 120 minutes + Descriptive Test 25 marks, 30 minutes)
- Interview (30 marks)
- Document Verification & Medical Examination
LIC ADO
- Preliminary Examination (online, qualifying — 100 questions, 100 marks, 60 minutes)
- Main Examination (online, merit-based — 160 questions, 200 marks, 120 minutes)
- Interview (25 marks)
- Document Verification & Medical Examination
LIC Assistant
- Preliminary Examination (online, qualifying — 100 questions, 100 marks, 60 minutes)
- Main Examination (online, merit-based — 200 questions, 200 marks, 120 minutes)
- Document Verification & Medical Examination
- No Interview — selection purely based on Mains merit
Posts & Salary Details
| Post | Vacancies (Expected) | Qualification | Basic Pay | In-hand (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAO (Generalist) | ~600 | Graduation (60%) | Rs. 53,600 | Rs. 80,000-93,000 |
| AAO (IT) | ~100 | B.Tech / B.E. / MCA | Rs. 53,600 | Rs. 80,000-93,000 |
| AAO (CA) | ~50 | CA Qualified | Rs. 53,600 | Rs. 80,000-93,000 |
| AAO (Actuarial) | ~50 | Graduation + Actuarial Exams | Rs. 53,600 | Rs. 80,000-93,000 |
| AAO (Rajbhasha) | ~41 | PG in Hindi + English | Rs. 53,600 | Rs. 80,000-93,000 |
| ADO | ~5,956 | Graduation | Rs. 53,600 | Rs. 75,000-85,000 + Commission |
| Assistant | ~5,000-8,000 | Graduation | Rs. 17,400 | Rs. 35,000-40,000 |
All posts include DA, HRA, City Compensatory Allowance, medical benefits, pension/NPS, gratuity, and LTC. ADOs earn additional performance-based commission on business procurement.
Syllabus
1. Reasoning & Computer Aptitude
Puzzles & Seating ArrangementSyllogismCoding & DecodingBlood RelationsInequalitiesDirection SenseOrder & RankingData SufficiencyInput-OutputLogical ReasoningComputer FundamentalsOperating SystemsNetworking BasicsMS Office2. Quantitative Aptitude & Data Interpretation
Data Interpretation (Bar, Pie, Line, Table)Number SeriesSimplification & ApproximationQuadratic EquationsPercentagesRatio & ProportionProfit & LossSimple & Compound InterestTime & WorkTime, Speed & DistanceMensurationProbabilityPermutation & Combination3. English Language
Reading ComprehensionCloze TestPara JumblesFill in the BlanksError DetectionSentence ImprovementVocabularyIdioms & PhrasesWord ReplacementColumn-based Questions4. General Knowledge & Current Affairs
Current National & International AffairsIndian Economy & BudgetGovernment SchemesRBI & IRDAI PoliciesInsurance AwarenessAwards & HonoursImportant AppointmentsStatic GKSports & EventsScience & Technology5. Insurance & Financial Market Awareness
History & Structure of Indian Insurance IndustryIRDAI — Functions, Regulations, GuidelinesTypes of Insurance (Life, General, Health, Crop)LIC — History, Products, MilestonesInsurance Act 1938 & AmendmentsFinancial Markets & InstrumentsMutual Funds & SecuritiesBanking & Insurance LinkageActuarial Science BasicsRecent Developments in Insurance Sector
Frequently Asked Questions
What posts does LIC recruit for?
LIC recruits for three main categories: AAO (Assistant Administrative Officer) — a managerial/executive post with specializations like Generalist, IT, Chartered Accountant, Actuarial, and Rajbhasha. ADO (Apprentice Development Officer) — an entry-level development officer role responsible for building agency networks. Assistant — clerical cadre handling counter operations, customer service, and office administration across divisional and branch offices.
What is the eligibility for LIC AAO 2026?
LIC AAO requires a Bachelor's Degree from a recognized university with minimum 60% aggregate (55% for SC/ST/PwBD). Age: 21-30 years (relaxation: SC/ST +5 yrs, OBC +3 yrs, PwBD +10 yrs). For AAO (IT): B.Tech/B.E. or MCA preferred. For AAO (CA): CA qualified. For AAO (Actuarial): passed specified number of Actuarial exams.
What is the exam pattern for LIC AAO?
LIC AAO Prelims: 100 questions, 70 marks, 60 minutes with sectional timing (20 min each). Sections: Reasoning (35Q/35M), Quantitative Aptitude (35Q/35M), English (30Q/30M). Mains: 200 questions, 240 marks, 120 minutes + Descriptive Test (Essay & Precis Writing, 25 marks, 30 minutes). Negative marking: -0.25 per wrong answer in both Prelims and Mains.
What is the salary for LIC AAO, ADO, and Assistant?
LIC AAO: Basic pay Rs. 53,600, in-hand salary approximately Rs. 80,000-93,000/month including DA, HRA, and City Compensatory Allowance. LIC ADO: Basic pay Rs. 53,600, in-hand approx. Rs. 75,000-85,000/month plus commission on business procurement. LIC Assistant: Basic pay Rs. 17,400, in-hand approx. Rs. 35,000-40,000/month. All posts include medical benefits, pension, gratuity, and LTC.
How many vacancies are expected in LIC 2026?
LIC AAO 2026: Approximately 841 vacancies across Generalist, IT, CA, Actuarial, and Rajbhasha streams (based on recent recruitment trends). LIC ADO: 5,956+ vacancies were announced in the last recruitment cycle and a similar number is expected. LIC Assistant: Approximately 5,000-8,000 vacancies are expected in the upcoming notification.
Can candidates from Assam apply for LIC exams?
Yes, LIC exams are conducted nationwide. Assam candidates can apply under the East Central Zone / NE Zone allocation. Exam centres are available in Guwahati, Dibrugarh, and Silchar. For LIC Assistant, knowledge of the local language (Assamese) may be required for posting in Assam divisions. LIC has divisional offices in Guwahati and branch offices across Assam.
Is there negative marking in LIC exams?
Yes. For LIC AAO: -0.25 per wrong answer in both Prelims and Mains. For LIC ADO: -0.25 per wrong answer in both Prelims and Mains. For LIC Assistant: -0.25 per wrong answer in Prelims, -0.25 in Mains. Unanswered questions carry no penalty.
What is the difference between LIC AAO and LIC ADO?
AAO is a purely administrative/managerial role in LIC's head office, divisional, or zonal offices — handling underwriting, claims, IT, or accounts. ADO is a development officer role focused on building and managing an agency network, business procurement, and achieving sales targets. AAO has a fixed salary structure while ADO gets additional performance-based commission. Both are Group A officers.