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NABARD Grade A Officer Mains

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NABARD GRADE A OFFICER (ASSISTANT MANAGER) MAINS EXAM

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) conducts the Grade A Officer (Assistant Manager) recruitment every year to appoint eligible candidates for various streams.

The NABARD Grade A selection process consists of three stages:
Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Interview.

The Mains Examination is the second stage of the recruitment process. Candidates who qualify the Prelims exam become eligible to appear for the NABARD Grade A Mains Examination.
Marks obtained in the Mains exam are considered for the final merit list, along with the interview.

For official updates, candidates are advised to regularly visit www.nabard.org.


 
NABARD GRADE A OFFICER (ASSISTANT MANAGER)

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) is an apex development financial institution in India. It was established on 12 July 1982 and plays a key role in promoting agriculture, rural development, and rural finance.

NABARD works under the guidance of the Government of India and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).


 
NABARD GRADE A OFFICER – CAREER PROSPECTS

NABARD Grade A Officer (Assistant Manager) is an entry-level officer post. After joining, officers can be promoted through internal examinations and performance-based evaluations.

Promotion Hierarchy:

  • Assistant Manager (Grade A)

  • Manager (Grade B)

  • Assistant General Manager (AGM)

  • Deputy General Manager (DGM)

  • General Manager (GM)

  • Executive Director

Promotions generally take 4–6 years, depending on performance and availability of vacancies.


 
NABARD GRADE A OFFICER – JOB PROFILE

The job responsibilities of a NABARD Grade A Officer vary depending on the stream and department allotted.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Planning and implementation of rural development schemes

  • Supervision and inspection of banks and financial institutions

  • Monitoring agricultural and rural credit flow

  • Policy formulation and research work

  • Field visits and project inspections

  • Coordination with State Governments, NGOs, and other agencies


 
NABARD GRADE A OFFICER (MAINS) – SALIENT FEATURES
ParticularsDetails
OrganisationNational Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
Post NameAssistant Manager (Grade A)
Exam LevelNational
Application ModeOnline
Selection ProcessPrelims → Mains → Interview
Exam TypeObjective + Descriptive
Probation Period2 Years
Official Websitewww.nabard.org

 
NABARD GRADE A OFFICER (MAINS) – IMPORTANT DATES

(Dates are announced in the official notification)

EventTentative Timeline
Prelims ResultSeptember – October
Mains ExaminationOctober
Mains ResultNovember
InterviewNovember – December
Final ResultDecember – January

 
NABARD GRADE A OFFICER – SALARY STRUCTURE

The initial gross monthly salary of a NABARD Grade A Officer is approximately:

₹70,000 – ₹75,000 per month (approx.)

Salary Includes:

  • Basic Pay

  • Dearness Allowance

  • House Rent Allowance

  • Local Compensatory Allowance

  • Grade Allowance

  • Medical and Pension Benefits


 
NABARD GRADE A OFFICER – MAINS EXAM PATTERN

The NABARD Grade A Mains Examination consists of two papers, conducted on the same day.

Paper I – General English (Descriptive):

  • Essay Writing

  • Precis Writing

  • Letter / Report Writing

  • Duration: 90 Minutes

  • Marks: 100

Paper II – Economic & Social Issues (ESI) and Agriculture & Rural Development (ARD):

  • Objective and Descriptive questions

  • Stream-specific syllabus

  • Duration: 120 Minutes

  • Marks: 100

Total Marks (Mains): 200


 
NABARD GRADE A OFFICER – MAINS ADMIT CARD

Steps to Download Admit Card:

  1. Visit www.nabard.org

  2. Go to Careers → Admit Card

  3. Enter Registration Number and Password

  4. Download and print the admit card


 
NABARD GRADE A OFFICER – MAINS RESULT

Steps to Check Result:

  1. Visit the official NABARD website

  2. Open the Careers section

  3. Click on Grade A Mains Result

  4. Download the result PDF

  5. Search your roll number


 
IMPORTANT LINKS
  • Official Website: www.nabard.org

  • Grade A Notification: Available on NABARD Careers Page

  • Admit Card & Result: Official Website

NABARD GRADE A OFFICER (ASSISTANT MANAGER) MAINS SYLLABUS

As per the official notification, the NABARD Grade A Mains syllabus is designed to assess candidates on descriptive English writing skills and domain knowledge in Economic & Social Issues (ESI) and Agriculture & Rural Development (ARD).

Candidates who qualify the Preliminary Examination are eligible to appear for the Main Examination. Marks obtained in the Mains exam are considered for the final merit list.

Below is the detailed NABARD Grade A Mains syllabus for both papers.


 
PAPER I – GENERAL ENGLISH (DESCRIPTIVE)

This paper evaluates the writing ability and comprehension skills of the candidates. Answers must be typed in English.

Topics Covered:

  • Essay Writing

  • Precis Writing

  • Comprehension

  • Letter Writing

  • Report Writing

Focus is on clarity of expression, grammar, vocabulary, and coherence of ideas.


 
PAPER II – ECONOMIC & SOCIAL ISSUES (ESI) AND AGRICULTURE & RURAL DEVELOPMENT (ARD)

Paper II consists of both objective and descriptive questions. The syllabus is common, but weightage varies according to stream.


 
ECONOMIC & SOCIAL ISSUES (ESI)

Important topics under ESI include:

  • Indian Economy: Structure and Growth

  • Measurement of Growth: GDP, GNP, National Income

  • Poverty, Inequality and Unemployment

  • Economic Reforms and Liberalization

  • Monetary and Fiscal Policy

  • Inflation: Causes and Control

  • Sustainable Development

  • Climate Change and Environmental Issues

  • Social Sector: Education, Health, Nutrition

  • Demographic Trends and Migration

  • Government Schemes and Initiatives

  • Globalization and International Economic Institutions


 
AGRICULTURE & RURAL DEVELOPMENT (ARD)

This section tests in-depth knowledge of agriculture and rural development:

  • Indian Agriculture: Cropping Patterns and Systems

  • Soil Science and Soil Conservation

  • Water Resources and Irrigation Systems

  • Farm Mechanization and Technology

  • Seeds, Fertilizers and Pesticides

  • Animal Husbandry, Dairy, Poultry and Fisheries

  • Agricultural Marketing and Pricing

  • Agricultural Credit and Insurance

  • Rural Development Programs and Schemes

  • NABARD Schemes and Initiatives

  • Microfinance, SHGs and Financial Inclusion

  • Food Security and Public Distribution System

  • Climate-smart Agriculture


 
NABARD GRADE A MAINS – EXAM STRUCTURE
PaperSubjectTypeMarksDuration
Paper IGeneral EnglishDescriptive10090 Minutes
Paper IIESI & ARDObjective + Descriptive100120 Minutes
Total  200 Marks 

 
IMPORTANT NOTES
  • The NABARD Grade A Mains syllabus is strictly as per the official notification

  • Paper I is qualifying in nature, but marks may be counted as per notification

  • Paper II marks are crucial for final merit selection

  • Questions are of moderate to high difficulty level

NABARD GRADE A OFFICER (ASSISTANT MANAGER) MAINS EXAM

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) was established on 12 July 1982 and functions as an apex development financial institution in India. NABARD plays a crucial role in promoting agriculture, rural development, and sustainable economic growth.

NABARD operates under the guidance of the Government of India and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). It supervises and supports rural financial institutions and implements various development initiatives across the country.

The NABARD Grade A Officer recruitment process consists of three stages:
Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Interview.

The Mains Examination is the second stage of the recruitment process. Candidates who qualify the Prelims exam are eligible to appear for the NABARD Grade A Mains Examination.
Marks obtained in the Mains exam are counted in the final merit list, along with the Interview.


 
NABARD GRADE A OFFICER – MAINS EXAM PATTERN

The NABARD Grade A Mains Exam is conducted in online mode and consists of descriptive and objective-type questions. The exam evaluates candidates’ writing skills, analytical ability, and in-depth knowledge of Economic & Social Issues (ESI) and Agriculture & Rural Development (ARD).


 
IMPORTANT POINTS OF NABARD GRADE A MAINS EXAM
  • The Mains exam is conducted in online mode

  • The exam consists of two papers

  • Paper I is descriptive English

  • Paper II includes ESI and ARD (objective + descriptive)

  • There is sectional as well as overall cut-off

  • Marks obtained in the Mains exam are considered for final selection

  • Negative marking applies to the objective portion of Paper II


 
NABARD GRADE A OFFICER MAINS – EXAM STRUCTURE
Test ModeName of TestTypeMaximum MarksTime Duration
Online Descriptive TestPaper I – General EnglishDescriptive10090 Minutes
Online Objective + Descriptive TestPaper II – ESI & ARDObjective + Descriptive100120 Minutes
Total  200 Marks 

 
MARKING SCHEME
  • Paper I (General English): Descriptive answers

  • Paper II (ESI & ARD):

    • Objective questions: 1 mark each

    • Negative marking of 0.25 mark for each wrong objective answer

  • No negative marking for descriptive questions


 
QUALIFYING CRITERIA
  • Candidates must clear sectional cut-offs fixed by NABARD

  • Candidates must also clear the overall cut-off

  • Performance in the Mains exam plays a major role in final merit selection

NABARD GRADE A OFFICER (ASSISTANT MANAGER) MAINS – CUT-OFF & ELIGIBILITY

Candidates appearing for the NABARD Grade A Mains Examination are required to secure the minimum sectional cut-off as well as the overall cut-off prescribed by NABARD to qualify for the Interview stage.

Unlike Prelims, the marks obtained in the Mains examination are counted in the final merit list, along with the Interview marks.


 
NABARD GRADE A OFFICER – ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Candidates willing to apply for the NABARD Grade A Officer (Assistant Manager) post must fulfill the eligibility conditions prescribed by NABARD.

If a candidate does not meet the eligibility criteria related to age, nationality, or educational qualification, their candidature will be rejected at any stage of the recruitment process.

The eligibility criteria are based on the following conditions:

  • Nationality

  • NABARD Grade A Age Limit & Relaxation

  • NABARD Grade A Educational Qualification


NATIONALITY
  • The candidate must be a citizen of India.


 
NABARD GRADE A – AGE LIMIT & RELAXATION

Age Limit:
A candidate must be between 21 years and 30 years as on the date mentioned in the official notification.

Age relaxation is applicable for reserved categories as per Government of India norms.

CategoryAge Relaxation
SC / ST5 years
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)3 years
Persons with Disabilities (General)10 years
Persons with Disabilities (SC/ST)15 years
Persons with Disabilities (OBC)13 years
Ex-Servicemen5 years
Candidates domiciled in J&K (01.01.1980 – 31.12.1989)5 years

 
NABARD GRADE A – EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION

The educational qualification for NABARD Grade A varies according to the stream applied for. Details are given below:

General Stream

  • Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline with a minimum of 60% marks (55% for SC/ST/PwBD)

Agriculture Stream

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture / Horticulture / Animal Husbandry / Veterinary Science / Fisheries / Forestry / Agricultural Engineering

Economics / Statistics / Finance Streams

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in the relevant subject as specified in the official notification

Computer / IT Stream

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science / Information Technology / Electronics / MCA or equivalent qualification

Other Specialized Streams

  • Educational qualifications as notified by NABARD for the respective stream

Note: Final-year students are eligible only if they fulfill eligibility conditions at the time of document verification.


 
IMPORTANT NOTES
  • Eligibility is verified at every stage of the recruitment process

  • Meeting minimum eligibility does not guarantee selection

  • Candidates must produce valid original documents during verification