NABARD Grade A Requirements & Prerequisites
Everything you need to know before registering for the NABARD Grade A, eligibility, cost, format, and what to expect on exam day.
Cost
~$10 (INR 850)
Provider
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
Validity
Annual exam
Available
India
Education
Check official exam requirements
Experience
3-5+ years of professional experience typically required
Specific Requirements
- A discipline-specific degree named in the advertisement. For the General discipline in RDBS, a Bachelor's degree in any subject with a minimum of 60 percent marks in aggregate, or 55 percent for SC, ST and PWBD applicants, or a postgraduate degree, MBA or PGDM with a minimum of 55 percent, or 50 percent for SC, ST and PWBD applicants.
- Specialist disciplines carry their own qualification and percentage requirements, covering Chartered Accountant, Company Secretary, Finance, Computer or Information Technology, Agriculture Engineering, Plantation and Horticulture, Fisheries, Food Processing, Land Development and Soil Science, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Media and Economics.
- The Legal post requires a Bachelor's degree in Law with enrolment as an Advocate and a minimum of 60 percent marks in the aggregate.
- Age between 21 and 30 years as on the stated cut-off date, which for the 2025-26 cycle was 1 November 2025. The Protocol and Security Service post instead requires an age between 25 and 40 years with no relaxation for any category.
- Upper age relaxation of 3 years for OBC applicants, up to 5 years for SC and ST applicants where posts are reserved and for eligible ex-servicemen, 10 years for PWBD (General), 13 years for PWBD (OBC) and 15 years for PWBD (SC or ST). NABARD states that no cumulative age relaxation is available beyond what the advertisement provides.
- Indian citizenship.
- No prior work experience is required for the RDBS Assistant Manager post, though NABARD reserves the right to raise the minimum experience requirement for the Protocol and Security Service post in order to limit the number of candidates called for interview.
Number of Questions
Phase I has 200 questions for 200 marks: 20 Reasoning, 30 English Language, 20 Computer Knowledge, 20 Quantitative Aptitude, 10 Decision Making, 20 General Awareness, 40 Economic and Social Issues, and 40 Agriculture and Rural Development. Phase II Paper I has 3 descriptive questions for 100 marks. Phase II Paper II has 30 objective questions for 50 marks, where some carry 2 marks and some carry 1 mark, plus 6 descriptive questions of which 4 must be attempted for 50 marks. The Protocol and Security Service paper has 50 questions in each of its four tests.
Duration
Phase I runs a composite 120 minutes for all eight tests together, with no separate section timing. Phase II Paper I runs 90 minutes. Phase II Paper II runs 30 minutes for the objective part and 90 minutes for the descriptive part. The mandatory psychometric test runs 90 minutes. The Protocol and Security Service online examination runs a composite 120 minutes.
Question Format
Objective multiple choice questions across all eight Phase I tests, Online descriptive General English answers typed on the keyboard in Phase II Paper I, Objective questions in Phase II Paper II with mixed 1 mark and 2 mark values, Descriptive Phase II Paper II answers typed on the keyboard, two of 15 marks and two of 10 marks, with Hindi typing available on Remington and Inscript layouts, Multiple choice psychometric test in Phase III, Personal interview carrying 50 marks, which may be taken in Hindi or English
Passing Requirement
NABARD does not publish fixed cut-off marks in advance. It states that cut-offs in both Phase I and Phase II are applied in two stages, first on scores in individual tests and then on the total score, and that they are set discipline-wise because vacancies are earmarked by discipline. The calling ratio is a maximum of 1:25 for the Main Examination and 1:3 for the interview, and NABARD may reduce those ratios at its discretion. Phase I shortlisting uses marks scored in the merit section only.
How It Is Delivered
Online examination at centres named in the call letter. Candidates report ahead of the printed reporting time for Aadhaar-linked biometric authentication, biometric and photo capture, document collection and instructions. NABARD states biometric data and photographs are captured from the Main Examination onwards, and separate call letters are issued for each shift of Phase II and Phase III. A candidate selects one centre for Phase I and one centre for Phase II or Phase III, and the two may be different.
Languages Offered
English, Hindi, since Phase I is bilingual in Hindi and English except for the test of English language, Phase II descriptive answers in Paper II may be typed in English or Hindi, with Hindi available on Remington and Inscript keyboard layouts; Legal candidates type descriptive answers in Hindi on those layouts, The interview may be taken in Hindi or English
Visit the official National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development certification page
Create an account and select your exam
Choose a test center or online proctoring option
Pay the exam fee and schedule your date
- Two forms of valid ID (one government-issued with photo)
- Appointment confirmation email
- For online proctoring: webcam, microphone, clean desk, stable internet
What are the prerequisites for the NABARD Grade A?
A discipline-specific degree named in the advertisement. For the General discipline in RDBS, a Bachelor's degree in any subject with a minimum of 60 percent marks in aggregate, or 55 percent for SC, ST and PWBD applicants, or a postgraduate degree, MBA or PGDM with a minimum of 55 percent, or 50 percent for SC, ST and PWBD applicants.. Specialist disciplines carry their own qualification and percentage requirements, covering Chartered Accountant, Company Secretary, Finance, Computer or Information Technology, Agriculture Engineering, Plantation and Horticulture, Fisheries, Food Processing, Land Development and Soil Science, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Media and Economics.. The Legal post requires a Bachelor's degree in Law with enrolment as an Advocate and a minimum of 60 percent marks in the aggregate.. Age between 21 and 30 years as on the stated cut-off date, which for the 2025-26 cycle was 1 November 2025. The Protocol and Security Service post instead requires an age between 25 and 40 years with no relaxation for any category.. Upper age relaxation of 3 years for OBC applicants, up to 5 years for SC and ST applicants where posts are reserved and for eligible ex-servicemen, 10 years for PWBD (General), 13 years for PWBD (OBC) and 15 years for PWBD (SC or ST). NABARD states that no cumulative age relaxation is available beyond what the advertisement provides.. Indian citizenship.. No prior work experience is required for the RDBS Assistant Manager post, though NABARD reserves the right to raise the minimum experience requirement for the Protocol and Security Service post in order to limit the number of candidates called for interview..
How much does the NABARD Grade A cost?
The NABARD Grade A exam costs ~$10 (INR 850). This includes the exam fee only, study materials are additional.
How do I register for the NABARD Grade A?
Visit the official National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development certification page → Create an account and select your exam → Choose a test center or online proctoring option → Pay the exam fee and schedule your date
What should I bring to the NABARD Grade A?
Two forms of valid ID (one government-issued with photo). Appointment confirmation email. For online proctoring: webcam, microphone, clean desk, stable internet.
Ready to prepare for NABARD Grade A?
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