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NABARD Grade A Officer Prelims

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The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) releases the Grade A Officer (Assistant Manager) recruitment notification every year to appoint eligible graduates and postgraduates for various posts.

The NABARD Grade A selection process consists of Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Interview.
The Prelims exam is the first stage of the recruitment process and is qualifying in nature.

Candidates who qualify the NABARD Grade A Prelims Exam become eligible to appear for the Main Examination.

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


 
NABARD GRADE A OFFICER (ASSISTANT MANAGER) EXAM

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 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 exams and performance-based assessments.

Promotion Hierarchy:
  1. Assistant Manager (Grade A)

  2. Manager (Grade B)

  3. Assistant General Manager (AGM)

  4. Deputy General Manager (DGM)

  5. General Manager (GM)

  6. Executive Director

Promotions usually take 4–6 years depending on performance and vacancies.


 
NABARD GRADE A OFFICER – JOB PROFILE

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

Key Responsibilities:
  1. Planning and implementation of rural development schemes

  2. Supervision of banks and financial institutions

  3. Monitoring agricultural and rural credit flow

  4. Policy formulation and research

  5. Field visits and project inspections

  6. Coordination with State Governments and NGOs


 
NABARD GRADE A OFFICER (PRELIMS) – 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 (MCQs)
Probation Period2 Years
Official Websitewww.nabard.org

 
NABARD GRADE A OFFICER (PRELIMS) – IMPORTANT DATES

(Dates vary each year and are announced in the official notification)

EventTentative Timeline
Notification ReleaseJuly – August
Online ApplicationJuly – August
Prelims ExamSeptember
Prelims ResultSeptember – October
Mains ExamOctober
InterviewNovember – December

 
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 & Pension Benefits


 
NABARD GRADE A OFFICER – APPLICATION PROCESS

The application process for NABARD Grade A is completely online.

Steps to Apply:
  1. Visit www.nabard.org

  2. Go to Careers → Recruitment Notices

  3. Click on NABARD Grade A Recruitment

  4. Register using email ID and mobile number

  5. Fill in the application form carefully

  6. Upload photograph, signature, and required documents

  7. Pay the application fee online

  8. Submit and save the application form


NABARD GRADE A OFFICER – APPLICATION FEE

CategoryApplication Fee
General / OBC / EWS₹800/-
SC / ST / PwBD₹150/-

(Fee may vary slightly as per notification)


 
NABARD GRADE A OFFICER – PRELIMS EXAM PATTERN

The Prelims exam is qualifying in nature.

SectionQuestionsMarks
Reasoning Ability2020
English Language3030
Computer Knowledge2020
General Awareness2020
Quantitative Aptitude2020
Economic & Social Issues (ESI)4040
Agriculture & Rural Development (ARD)4040
Total190200
  • Duration: 120 minutes

  • Negative Marking: ¼ mark for each wrong answer


 
NABARD GRADE A OFFICER – 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 – RESULT
Steps to Check Result:
  1. Visit the official NABARD website

  2. Open the Careers section

  3. Click on Grade A Result

  4. Download the result PDF

  5. Search your roll number


 
IMPORTANT LINKS
  1. Official Website: www.nabard.org

  2. Grade A Notification: Available on NABARD Careers Page

  3. Admit Card & Result: Official Website

 

NABARD GRADE A OFFICER (ASSISTANT MANAGER) PRELIMS SYLLABUS

As per the latest official notification, the NABARD Grade A Prelims syllabus is designed to test candidates on basic reasoning, numerical ability, English language, general awareness, and agriculture & rural development. Aspirants preparing for the exam must familiarise themselves with the complete syllabus as it forms the basis for the Preliminary exam pattern.

Below is the detailed NABARD Grade A Prelims syllabus for various sections:


PAPER – NABARD GRADE A PRELIMS SYLLABUS STRUCTURE

The NABARD Grade A Prelims exam consists of objective-type questions from the following subjects:

SectionTopicsApprox. Questions
Reasoning AbilityLogical reasoning, puzzles, seating arrangement, syllogisms, blood relations, coding-decoding, inequalities, direction sense, series~20
English LanguageReading comprehension, grammar, fill in the blanks, error spotting, phrase replacement, vocabulary~30
Computer KnowledgeBasics of computer, MS Office, Internet, networking, database fundamentals~20
General AwarenessCurrent affairs (national & international), banking, finance, economics, institutions, awards, appointments~20
Economic & Social Issues (ESI)Indian Economy, social sector initiatives, economic concepts, development issues~40
Agriculture & Rural Development (ARD)Rural development schemes, agriculture practices, crops, livestock, irrigation, agricultural economics~40

Total questions for Prelims are approximately 190 questions for 200 marks.


REASONING ABILITY

The reasoning section tests analytical and logical skills:

  • Verbal Reasoning

  • Non-verbal Reasoning

  • Series – Number & Alphabet

  • Coding-Decoding

  • Blood Relation

  • Direction Sense

  • Syllogism

  • Puzzles & Seating Arrangements

  • Inequalities

  • Data Sufficiency


ENGLISH LANGUAGE

This section evaluates candidate’s English language proficiency:

  • Reading Comprehension

  • Cloze Test

  • Para Jumbles

  • Error Spotting

  • Fill in the Blanks

  • Vocabulary-based Questions


COMPUTER KNOWLEDGE

Basic computer awareness topics include:

  • Fundamentals of Computer

  • Input / Output Devices

  • MS Office Tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

  • Operating System basics

  • Networking & Internet Concepts

  • Database Fundamentals


GENERAL AWARENESS

This section includes:

  • Current Affairs (last 6–12 months)

  • Banking & Financial Institutions

  • Government Policies and Schemes

  • RBI and NABARD-related policies

  • Static GK: History, Geography, Polity

  • Awards, Appointments, Sports updates


ECONOMIC & SOCIAL ISSUES (ESI)

Important topics under ESI:

  • Indian Economy overview

  • Economic growth & development measures

  • Poverty, Unemployment

  • Planning in India

  • Sustainable Development

  • Human Development Indicators

  • Social-sector initiatives (health, education)


AGRICULTURE & RURAL DEVELOPMENT (ARD)

This section tests knowledge of agriculture and rural policies:

  • Crops (Kharif & Rabi), Soil & Water

  • Agricultural Practices & Systems

  • Irrigation & Farm Mechanization

  • Livestock & Poultry

  • Agricultural Economics

  • Rural Development Programs & Schemes

  • NABARD Rural Initiatives

  • Food Security & Public Distribution System

  • Microfinance & SHG-Bank Linkage


IMPORTANT NOTES
  • The NABARD Grade A Prelims syllabus is as per official notification.

  • Prelims exam is qualifying and only determines eligibility for the Main exam.

  • Questions are usually of moderate difficulty level.

NABARD GRADE A OFFICER (ASSISTANT MANAGER) PRELIMS 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 Prelims exam is the first stage and is qualifying in nature.


 
NABARD GRADE A OFFICER – PRELIMS EXAM PATTERN

The NABARD Grade A Prelims Exam is conducted in online mode and consists of objective-type questions. The exam tests candidates on basic aptitude, awareness, and domain knowledge related to agriculture and rural development.


 
IMPORTANT POINTS OF NABARD GRADE A PRELIMS EXAM
  1. The Prelims exam is an online objective-type examination.

  2. The exam consists of multiple sections with separate weightage.

  3. There is sectional as well as overall cut-off.

  4. The Prelims exam is qualifying only and marks are not counted in the final merit list.

  5. Negative marking is applicable for wrong answers.


 
NABARD GRADE A OFFICER PRELIMS – EXAM STRUCTURE
Test ModeName of TestNo. of QuestionsMaximum MarksTime Duration
Online Objective TestReasoning Ability2020Included in total time
Online Objective TestEnglish Language3030Included in total time
Online Objective TestComputer Knowledge2020Included in total time
Online Objective TestGeneral Awareness2020Included in total time
Online Objective TestEconomic & Social Issues (ESI)4040Included in total time
Online Objective TestAgriculture & Rural Development (ARD)4040Included in total time
Total 190200 Marks120 Minutes

MARKING SCHEME
  • Each correct answer carries 1 mark

  • Negative marking of 0.25 mark for each incorrect answer

  • No marks are deducted for unanswered questions


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

  • Candidates must also clear the overall cut-off

  • Marks obtained in Prelims are not added to the final selection

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

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

The Prelims exam is qualifying in nature, and marks obtained in this stage are not counted in the final merit list.


 
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.

The eligibility criteria are based on the following conditions:

  1. Nationality

  2. NABARD Grade A Age Limit & Relaxation

  3. 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 specified 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. The 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 documents during verification