NABARD, the full form of which is National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development conducts a recruitment process every year and selects candidates based on prelims and mains tests followed by an interview. These exams test candidates’ problem-solving skills, and knowledge of current affairs, economic and social issues, and agriculture. Read on to find out all about what is NABARD exam and the selection process in detail.
What is the NABARD Grade A selection process?
The NABARD Grade A selection process is a three-tier process. All the stages of the NABARD Grade A Selection Process 2026 are as follows:
- Preliminary Exam: Phase 1 of the NABARD Grade A Selection Process consists of 8 subjects. These are Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness, Computer Knowledge, Decision Making, English, ESI, and ARD with a focus on Rural India. A total of 200 questions will be asked for 200 marks. The total duration of the exam is 120 minutes.
- Mains Exam: The mains exam is divided into two papers i.e. Paper 1 & Paper 2. Paper 1 will be of General English and Paper 2 will be of ESI & ARD. Paper 1 will be online descriptive & paper 2 will be both objective & descriptive type.
- Interview: This is the final stage of the NABARD Grade A Selection Process 2026. The interview stage consists of 50 marks.
NABARD Grade A Recruitment 2026
NABARD Grade A Notification 2026 is expected to be released soon for the recruitment of Assistant Manager posts. The notification PDF will include details such as vacancies, eligibility criteria, age relaxation, application guidelines, required documents, and the exam pattern. Interested candidates should carefully read the official NABARD recruitment notification before applying to understand the selection process.
What is the NABARD Grade A phase 1 selection process?
The below table consists of the detailed NABARD Grade A 2026 Selection Process for Prelims/Phase 1.
i) Qualifying Section – Test of Reasoning, English Language, Computer Knowledge, Quantitative Aptitude & Decision Making
ii) Merit Section – General Awareness, Economic & Social Issues (with focus on Rural India), Agriculture & Rural Development with Emphasis on Rural India.
| Name of the Test | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks |
| Test of Reasoning | 20 | 20 |
| English Language | 30 | 30 |
| Computer Knowledge | 20 | 20 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 20 | 20 |
| Decision Making | 10 | 10 |
| General Awareness | 20 | 20 |
| ESI | 40 | 40 |
| ARD | 40 | 40 |
| Total | 200 | 200 |
The calling ratio to qualify for the main examination will be 1:25.
Is there negative marking in NABARD Grade A Prelims?
Yes, there is negative marking in the NABARD Grade A Prelims exam. For every incorrect answer, 0.25 marks are deducted from the total score. This is applicable only to the objective type questions in the Prelims. Therefore, candidates must answer carefully to avoid losing marks due to incorrect answers.
NABARD Grade A Mains Exam Pattern
Only those candidates who qualify the prelims are eligible for the mains. Check out the post wise mains exam pattern below. Also note some common points for all posts.
- Descriptive Answers are to be typed using a keyboard either in English or Hindi (Remington and Inscript keyboards).
- In Paper 2 Descriptive portion, the candidates have to attempt 4 questions out of 6 questions. In these 4 questions, 2 questions attempted must be of 15 marks and 2 questions of 10 marks.
- On the completion of the mains exam, a psychometric test will be conducted. This test is mandatory.
What is the NABARD Grade A mains exam pattern for Generalist officers?
The candidates who will clear the NABARD Grade A Prelims Exam will be able to sit for the Mains Exam. Phase 2 is considered tough and the subjects are common so it is advisable that candidates must start covering the NABARD Grade A Syllabus for Phase 2 along with Phase 1. The details of the Mains exam pattern for the post of Generalist are as follows:
| Paper | Pattern & Questions | Marks & Duration |
| Paper I: General English | Descriptive (3 questions, typed on keyboard) | 100 marks · 90 minutes |
| Paper II: ESI & ARD (Objective) | Objective (30 questions; 1–2 marks each) | 50 marks · 30 minutes |
| Paper II: ESI & ARD (Descriptive) | Descriptive (6 questions; attempt any 4 – 2×15 marks, 2×10 marks; English/Hindi) | 50 marks · 90 minutes |
What is the NABARD Grade A mains exam pattern for Specialist officers?
The NABARD Grade A Exam Pattern for Specialist Officers has two stages: the Preliminary Exam and the Mains Exam. The Mains Exam has two papers. Paper I is a descriptive General English test with 3 questions for 100 marks, to be completed in 90 minutes, and answers must be typed on a keyboard. Paper II is stream-specific and has two parts an objective test with 30 questions for 50 marks in 30 minutes, and a descriptive test where candidates attempt any 4 out of 6 questions for 50 marks in 90 minutes. The descriptive answers can be typed in English or Hindi using Remington or Inscript keyboards.
| Paper | Exam Pattern | Duration & Remarks |
| Paper I: General English | Descriptive – 3 questions (100 marks) | 90 minutes · Answers typed using keyboard |
| Paper II: Stream-Specific (Objective) | Objective – 30 questions (50 marks; 1–2 marks each) | 30 minutes · Paragraph, numerical, and application-based questions |
| Paper II: Stream-Specific (Descriptive) | Descriptive – 6 questions (attempt any 4: 2×15 marks, 2×10 marks) | 90 minutes · Answers typed in English or Hindi (Remington/Inscript) |
What is the NABARD Grade A mains exam pattern for Legal officers?
The NABARD Grade A Mains exam for Legal Officers has two papers. Paper I is a descriptive General English test with 3 questions for 100 marks, to be completed in 90 minutes, and answers must be typed on a keyboard. Paper II is a stream-specific paper with two parts an objective section of 30 questions for 50 marks in 30 minutes and a descriptive section where candidates attempt any 4 out of 6 questions for 50 marks in 90 minutes. Answers in the descriptive section must be typed in Hindi using the prescribed keyboard format.
| Paper | Exam Pattern | Duration & Remarks |
| Paper I: General English | Descriptive – 3 questions (100 marks) | 90 minutes · Answers typed using keyboard |
| Paper II: Stream-Specific (Objective) | Objective – 30 questions (50 marks; 1–2 marks each) | 30 minutes |
| Paper II: Stream-Specific (Descriptive) | Descriptive – 6 questions (attempt any 4: 2×15, 2×10 marks) | 90 minutes · Answers typed in Hindi (Remington/Inscript) |
What is the NABARD Grade A mains exam pattern for Protocol & Security Service (P&SS)?
The selection process for the Assistant Manager (Protocol & Security Service) post consists of three stages Online Examination, Psychometric Test, and Interview. The online exam is objective in nature and is designed to assess candidates’ reasoning ability, general awareness, professional knowledge, and English proficiency.
| Name of the Test | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Version |
| Test of Reasoning | 50 | 50 | Bilingual (Hindi/English) |
| English Language | 50 | 25 | English only |
| General Awareness (with special reference to Banking Industry) | 50 | 50 | Bilingual (Hindi/English) |
| Professional Knowledge | 50 | 75 | Bilingual (Hindi/English) |
| Total | 200 | 200 | Duration: 120 Minutes |
Key Highlights:
- The exam is conducted online and consists of objective-type multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
- All sections, except English Language, are available in both English and Hindi.
- There is no sectional time limit; candidates can attempt questions in any order within the overall 120 minutes.
- The Professional Knowledge section carries the highest weightage, emphasizing the candidate’s defence and security background.
- Negative marking of ¼ mark is applicable for each wrong answer.
Is the NABARD Grade A Interview round compulsory?
Yes, the interview is compulsory and carries weight in the final selection process. After qualifying Phase 2 of the NABARD Grade A exam, as per the NABARD Grade A Exam Pattern, candidates are first required to take a psychometric test, followed by an interview, which serves as the final selection stage.
| Component | Details |
| Psychometric Test Pattern | |
| Questions | Questions designed to evaluate the candidate’s personality and behavioral tendencies |
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Marks | Not scored; used solely for evaluative purposes |
| Interview Pattern | |
| Mode | Conducted in-person at designated NABARD interview centres |
| Language | Candidates can choose either Hindi or English |
| Duration | Generally lasts between 20 to 45 minutes |
| Marks | Interview is scored out of 50 marks |
| Questions | Number and nature of questions vary depending on the interview panel |
NABARD Grade A Interview Questions (Grade A & B)
The NABARD interview checks your subject knowledge, awareness of rural development, and communication skills. Below are a few frequently asked questions with sample answers to guide your preparation.
Q1. Tell us about yourself.
Ans: I’m from [place], with a degree in [subject]. I’m interested in rural development and see NABARD as a platform to contribute meaningfully.
Q2. Why NABARD?
Ans: NABARD promotes rural growth and sustainable agriculture. I want to be part of this mission and contribute through my skills.
Q3. What does NABARD do?
Ans: It finances and regulates rural banks, supports agriculture, and promotes rural development projects.
Q4. What are the key issues in Indian agriculture?
Ans: Low productivity, poor irrigation, small land holdings, and limited market access are major concerns.
Q5. What is Priority Sector Lending?
Ans: It’s a policy where banks must lend a portion of credit to sectors like agriculture, MSMEs, and education to ensure inclusive growth.
NABARD Grade A Marking Scheme
For every wrong answer marked, 1/4th of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as a penalty in Phase I and Phase II. Cut-offs in Phase I and Phase II may be applied in two stages: (i) On scores in individual tests, and (ii) On Total Scores.
NABARD Grade A Final Selection 2026
The final selection and ranking of the applicants for the post of Assistant Manager in Grade ‘A’ (RDBS/Legal/P&SS) will be based on their performance in the Phase II Main Examination and Interview, taken together.
FAQs
Yes, the last stage of the selection process consists of an Interview round. The interview will be 50 marks.
There are three stages namely, Preliminary Exam, Mains Exam, and Interview.
Well, there is no limit on the number of attempts.
Yes, 1/4th of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as negative markings in Phases 1 & 2.
Reasoning, English Language, Computer Knowledge, Quantitative Aptitude & Decision Making are the sections that are qualifying in nature.
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