Regulatory

NABARD Grade A 2026

National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development Grade A Officer

NABARD Grade A recruits Assistant Managers for rural development banking. Officers handle agricultural credit, rural infrastructure financing, and cooperative banking supervision. Three phases: Prelims, Mains, and Interview.

Official Website

Age Limit

21-30 years (relaxation: SC/ST +5, OBC +3, PwD +10)

Fee

₹850

Salary Range

₹65,000 - ₹1,20,000

Pay Level

Scale of Pay applicable to Grade A

Salary Range (Monthly)

₹65,000 - ₹1,20,000

Key Posts

Assistant Manager (Grade A) in RDBS, Rajbhasha, and other departments of NABARD

National-level recruitment examination for Assistant Manager (Grade A) posts in NABARDGeneral & RDBS (Rural Development Banking Service) & Rajbhasha & Protocol & Security & LegalAll India — liable to be posted at NABARD Head Office, Regional Offices, or District Development Offices anywhere in India, including rural areas

Pay Levels & Salary

Pay LevelMonthly Range
NABARD Grade A₹₹44,500 - ₹₹89,150 + DA + HRA + Other Allowances

Application Fee

800

General/OBC

Free

SC/ST/Women

Free

PwBD/ESM

Tie-Breaking Rules

  1. Higher aggregate marks in Mains
  2. Higher marks in Interview
  3. Older candidate placed higher

Eligibility

Educational Qualification

Bachelor's degree with minimum 60% (50% for SC/ST/PwD) or post-graduation/professional qualification.

Age Limit

21-30 years (relaxation: SC/ST +5, OBC +3, PwD +10)

Age Relaxation by Category

CategoryRelaxation
GeneralNo relaxation
SC/ST+5 years
OBC (NCL)+3 years
PwD+10 years
Ex-Servicemen+5 years

Application Fee

CategoryFee
General / OBC / EWS (Male)₹850
SC / ST / PwD / Ex-Servicemen₹100

Exam Pattern

Prelims (Phase I)

200 Questions120 minsTotal Marks: 200-0.25 per wrong
SectionQuestionsMax MarksDuration
Quantitative Aptitude2020
Reasoning2020
English Language4040
General Awareness2020
Agriculture & Rural Development4040
Economic & Social Issues4040
Computer Awareness2020

Mains (Phase II)

0 Questions180 minsTotal Marks: 200
SectionQuestionsMax MarksDuration
General English (Descriptive)010090 min
Economic & Social Issues / Agriculture & Rural Development (Descriptive)010090 min

Syllabus

  • Current Affairs
  • Agriculture & Rural Development
  • Banking & Finance
  • NABARD & Its Functions
  • Government Schemes (Rural)

Posts & Pay Levels

Vacancies

NaN

Tentative Total

Nationality & Citizenship

  • Citizen of India

Educational Qualification

All Posts (General)

Post-Graduation with minimum 50% marks from a recognized University in any discipline; OR Bachelor's Degree with 50% with relevant professional qualifications

Age Limits & Relaxation

Age Bands

Age BandDOB Not Earlier ThanDOB Not Later Than
21-30 years

Age Relaxation by Category

CategoryRelaxation
SC/ST5 years (up to 35 years)
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)3 years (up to 33 years)
PwBD10 years
PwBD + OBC13 years
PwBD + SC/ST15 years
Ex-Servicemen5 years
NABARD StaffAs per NABARD rules

Ex-Servicemen (ESM) Rules

Sons/Daughters/DependentsNot eligible
Non-Graduate ESM for Group BNot eligible

Category Certificate Rules

EWS CertificateValid EWS certificate as per government guidelines
OBC Creamy LayerOBC candidates must not belong to creamy layer on the crucial date

Candidature liable to be cancelled and legal action initiated

How to Apply

Apply viaOnline at https://nabard.org

Photo Rules

  • Recent passport size photograph
  • Signature scan
  • Left thumb impression

Application Fee

₹800

General

₹undefined

Women

₹150

SC/ST

₹150

PwBD

₹undefined

ESM

Payment: Online — Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking

Non-refundable

Correction Window

Opens

Closes

1st Correction

2nd Correction

Max corrections allowed. Latest corrected application treated as valid.

Admission Certificate & Exam Day

Admit CardDownload As notified on NABARD website before exam
PrintoutRequired

Accepted Photo IDs

Aadhaar Card / printout of E-AadhaarVoter ID CardDriving LicensePAN CardPassportID Card issued by University/College/SchoolEmployer ID Card (Govt./PSU)Any other photo-bearing ID issued by Central/State Government

Preliminary Examination — Online Objective Test

200 Questions200 Marks120 min
+1 per correct0.25 per wrongSectional timingObjective, Multiple ChoiceEnglish and Hindi
SectionQuestionsMarksPer Q
Test of Reasoning20201
English Language40401
Computer Knowledge20201
General Awareness20201
Quantitative Aptitude20201
Economic and Social Issues40401
Agriculture and Rural Development40401
Total2002001

Main Examination — Paper 1 — Economic and Social Issues (ESI)

100 Marks90 min
DescriptiveEnglish

Main Examination — Paper 2 — Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) / Finance & Management

100 Marks90 min
DescriptiveEnglish

Answer Key Policy

Tentative KeyReleased for candidate review
Fee RefundableNo
Final KeyUsed for result calculation

Normalization & Re-evaluation

NormalizationApplied if multiple shifts. Purpose: Score equalization across multiple shifts in Prelims
Re-evaluationNot allowed

Minimum Qualifying Marks

StageUROBC/EWSSC/ST/Others
mains
prelims

Shortlisting & Merit Rules

Interview Marks

25 marks

Prelims To Mains

Category-wise shortlisting from Prelims

Final Merit Basis

Mains + Interview combined marks

Mains To Interview

Based on Mains aggregate score

Prelims Marks Not Counted

Prelims is only for shortlisting — marks not counted in final merit

Scribe & Compensatory Time

Extra Time20 minutes per hour of examination for eligible candidates
Own ScribeAllowed
Opt-inMust opt during application form

Auto-eligible for Scribe

  • PwBD blindness
  • PwBD locomotor disability (both arms affected-BA)
  • PwBD cerebral palsy

Scribe Requirements

  • Scribe must not be a candidate of the same examination
  • Scribe qualification must be one step below the qualification prescribed for the post
  • Scribe cannot assist more than one candidate in the same examination
  • Candidate must opt for scribe in the application form
  • Scribe arrangement at own expense if own scribe opted

Additional Rules

  • Even eligible candidates not availing scribe still get compensatory time
  • No attendant other than scribe allowed inside examination hall

Document Verification

Conducted ByNABARD at the time of interview/joining

Required Documents

  1. Matriculation/Secondary Certificate (for DOB proof)
  2. Educational Qualification Certificate(s) as prescribed
  3. Caste/Category Certificate if applicable (in prescribed format)
  4. PwBD Certificate if applicable
  5. EWS Certificate if applicable (valid for relevant financial year)
  6. Ex-Servicemen Certificate/Discharge Certificate if applicable
  7. NOC from present employer if already in Government service
  8. Experience Certificate if applicable
  9. Name change documents if applicable (Gazette notification, marriage certificate etc.)
  10. Two recent passport-size colour photographs
  11. Any other document as specified in the call letter

Tie-Breaking Rules

  1. 1Higher aggregate marks in Mains
  2. 2Higher marks in Interview
  3. 3Older candidate placed higher

Misconduct & Debarment

Post-exam Analysis Methods

Log analysisPhotograph verificationBiometric verificationCCTV review
OffenseDebarment
Using unfair means of any kind — copying, electronic devices, written material on body/paperPermanent debarment / 3-7 years
Impersonation / procuring impersonation by any person7 years / permanent
Possession of mobile phone, bluetooth devices, wireless devices, spy cameras, electronic gadgets inside exam hall3-5 years
Taking away exam material (rough sheets, question paper) from exam hall1-3 years
Leaving examination venue before completion of due exit procedure1-2 years
Misbehaving, intimidating or threatening exam functionaries2-3 years
Obstructing conduct of examination / instigating others not to take examination3 years
False statements / fabricated documents / suppressing material information1-5 years
Appearing in exam with forged admit card / identity proof3-5 years
Possession of firearms/weapons or threatening exam functionaries with force7 years
Taking snapshots, making videos of question papers or exam material7 years
Sharing exam terminal through remote desktop / LAN / VAN7 years
Attempt to hack or manipulate examination servers / data / systems7-10 years
Candidate acting as scribe in same examination or providing false scribe declaration3-5 years

⚠ Cases may be referred to police or investigating agencies.

Public Disclosure Policy

Disqualification Rule

Candidates found guilty of misconduct or submitting false information are disqualified at any stage.

Important Warnings

NABARD Grade A requires strong knowledge of agriculture, rural development, and economic issues.
Prelims has 7 sections including domain-specific sections on ESI and ARD — unlike typical banking exams.
Mains is entirely descriptive — essay writing skills are critical.
Postings can be in rural/district-level offices — candidates should be prepared for rural postings.
Mere eligibility does not confer right of appointment.
NABARD reserves the right to modify/cancel the recruitment.

2025 Cycle — Complete Timeline

Year2025

⚠ All dates are tentative and subject to change.

Vacancies

Total150

Per-post breakdown not yet published.

Previous Year Cut-Offs

No cut-off data available yet.