The NABARD Grade A exam is one of the best competitive exams in India for those aspiring to work for rural development, agricultural finance, and contributing to the growth of rural India. It also requires candidates to demonstrate a deep understanding of agriculture, rural development, economic and social issues, and more. Writing descriptive answers effectively can significantly boost your chances of success. This blog will provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to structure and present your answers, ensuring they are clear, concise, and compelling. Trust me, you will not need anything beyond this if you want to dominate Phase 2 of the NABARD GRADE A exam.
This is the first part of our “Mastering NABARD Grade-A Descriptive Writing” Mega Blog series. Stay tuned for the upcoming posts in this series to truly master the art of descriptive answer writing.
| PART 1 | Introduction to Descriptive Answer Writing Exam Structure Syllabus Repeated Syllabus Topics Preperation Strategy | Click Here |
| PART 2 | Pre – Typing Stage Breaking down Questions Brain-storming Answers Structuring the Answers | Coming Soon |
| PART 3 | Typing Stage Word & Time-limit Basic Structure Bullet Points Make it EASY for EXAMINER | Coming Soon |
| PART 4 & 5 | Reviewing and Self-Analysis | Coming Soon |
1. Introduction to Descriptive Writing
Descriptive writing in the NABARD Grade A exam plays a crucial role in assessing a candidate’s ability to articulate thoughts clearly and concisely. Unlike objective questions, descriptive questions require a structured response, encompassing a clear introduction, a well-explained body, and a concise conclusion. The key to mastering descriptive writing is understanding the question, organizing thoughts coherently, and presenting them logically.
2. Exam Structure of Phase II
Phase II – Mains Examination
The Mains Examination of NABARD Grade A will be online and will have two papers:
Paper-I:
Paper-II
General English (Descriptive – online through the keyboard)
- The paper will have descriptive questions carrying 100 marks.
- Duration: 1 ½ hours
- Paper I is common to all disciplines.
Objective as well as Descriptive
- Economic & Social Issues – For General Discipline
- Agriculture & Rural Development
- Duration: 2 hrs. – 100 Marks
As descriptive answer writing is only testable in Phase 2, this phase’s syllabus and structure are crucial for your preparation.
3. Syllabus
Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) Syllabus
Agriculture
- Trends of recent times
- Major challenges in agriculture measures to enhance
- Viability of agriculture
- Factors of Production in agriculture
- Agricultural Finance and Marketing
- Globalization and its impacts on Indian Agriculture and the issue of food security
- Concept and Types of Farm Management
Soil and Water Conservation
- Major Soil Types
- Soil Fertility
- Fertilizers
- Soil Erosion
- Soil Conservation
- Watershed Management
Water Resource
- Irrigation Management
- Types of Irrigation
- Sources of Irrigation
- Crop-Water Requirement
- Command Area Development
- Water Conservation Techniques
- Micro-Irrigation
- Irrigation Pumps
- Major, Medium and Minor Irrigation
Agri and Farm Engineering
- Power and Machinery related to Farms
- Power Sources on the farm – animal, human, electrical, mechanical, wind, biomass, and solar, biofuels
- Water Harvesting Structures
- Farm Ponds
- Agro Processing
- Modified & controlled storage, storage of perishable foods, bins, godowns, and grain silos
Horticulture & Plantation
- Meaning, Definition, and its Branches
- Production Technology and Agronomic practices with respect to various horticulture and plantation crops
- Value and supply chain management of Horticulture & Plantation crops, Post-harvest management of the same
Animal Husbandry
- Farm animals and their role in the Indian economy
- Animal husbandry methods in India
- Commonly used terminologies pertaining to the different species of livestock
- Utility classification of breeds of cattle
- Introduction to common fodders and feeds, their utility and classification
- Introduction to the industry of poultry in India
- Common terms pertaining to poultry production and management
- Socio-Economic implications of mixed farming on the farmer in India and the concept of mixed farming
- Livestock and Poultry production and their obligatory and complementary relationship with that of agricultural farming
Fisheries
- Fisheries Resources
- Exploitation and management – marine water, freshwater, and brackish water
- Aquaculture- Inland and Marine
- Biotechnology
- Post-Harvest Technology
- Importance of fisheries in India
- Common terms pertaining to fish production
Forestry
- Basic concepts of Forest and Forestry
- Management, mensuration, and Economics regarding Forests, and the Principles of silviculture
- Concepts of agroforestry, social forestry, joint forest management
- Legislation and Policies regarding forests in India, 2015 Report on the State of forests in India
- Ministry of Forest, Environment, and Climate change
- Ministry of Forest, Environment, and Climate Change and Recent developments under them
Agriculture Extensions
- Its role and importance, evaluations methods of extension programs
- KVK’s (Krishi Vigyan Kendra) role in the dissemination of technologies based on Agriculture
Ecology and Climate Change
- Ecology and how it is relevant to man, sustainable management and conservation of natural resources
- Climate change and its causes, GHGs (Green House Gases), countries emitting high amounts of GHGs, and climate analysis
- Distinguish between adaptation and mitigation
- Climate change and its impact on rural livelihoods and agriculture
- Carbon credit
- IPCC, UNFCCC, CoP meetings
- Funding mechanisms for climate change projects
- Indian government initiatives like SAPCC, NAPCC, INDC
Present Scenario of agriculture and allied activities in India
- Ecology and how it is relevant to man, sustainable management and conservation of natural resources
- Climate change and its causes, GHGs (Green House Gases), countries emitting high amounts of GHGs, and climate analysis
- Distinguish between adaptation and mitigation
- Climate change and its impact on rural livelihoods and agriculture
- Carbon credit
- IPCC, UNFCCC, CoP meetings
- Funding mechanisms for climate change projects
- Indian government initiatives like SAPCC, NAPCC, INDC
Rural Development
- Concept of Rural Area
- Structure of the Indian Rural Economy
- Rural sector of India and its importance and role
- Social, Demographic, and Economic characteristics of the rural economy of India
- Causes of Rural Backwardness
- Rural population in India
- Occupational structure
- Agricultural Laborers, Handicrafts, Tribes/Forest dwellers, Farmers, Artisans, Traders and others in the rural parts of India
- Changing trends in rural workforce and rural population in India
- Problems and conditions of rural labour
- Issues and challenges in Hand-looms
- Panchayati Raj Institutions – Functions and Working
- NRLM, MGNREGA – Drinking Water Programmes in Rural India, Aajeevika, Swachh Bharat, Housing in Rural Area, PURA, and other programs related to rural development
Economic and Social Issues (ESI) Syllabus
Indian Economy and Its Nature
- Various trends regarding inflation and the impacts they have on Individual Income and National Economy
Inflation
- Institutional & Structural Features
- Economic Underdevelopment
- Opening Up the Indian Economy
- Globalization
- Economic Reforms in India
- Privatization
Employment Generation & Poverty Alleviation in India
- Urban & Rural
- Measurement of Poverty
- Poverty Alleviation Programmes of the Government
Population Trends
- Population Growth and Economic Development
- Population Policy in India
Agriculture
- Characteristics / Status
- Technical and Institutional changes in Indian Agriculture
- Agricultural performance
- Issues in Food Security in India
- Non-Institutional and Institutional Agencies in rural credit
Industry
- Industrial and Labour Policy
- Industrial Performance
- Regional Imbalance in India’s Industrial Development
- Public Sector Enterprises
Financial Institutions and Rural banking in India
- Reforms in the Financial Sector / Banking
Economic Globalization
- International Funding Institutions and their roles
- IMF & World Bank
- WTO
- Regional Economic Co-operation
Social Structure in India
- Multiculturalism
- Demographic Trends
- Urbanization and Migration
- Gender Issues
- Joint Family System
Social Infrastructure
- Education
- Health and Environment
Education
- Status & System of Education
- Socio-Economic Problems Associated with Illiteracy
- Educational Relevance and Educational Wastage
- Educational Policy for India
Social Justice pertaining to the various castes and classes
- Problems of scheduled tribes and scheduled castes
- Socio-economic programs directed towards Scheduled castes, Scheduled tribes, and Other Backward Classes
Positive Discrimination or steps to favour the underprivileged classes
- Social Movements
- Indian Political Systems
- Human Development
4. Past 3 Years’ Questions of ARD and ESI
NABARD 2023
Economic and Social Issues + Agriculture and Rural Development
|
PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS
|
SYLLABUS TOPICS
|
|---|---|
|
What is Agroforestry? What are its features? Discuss the benefits and challenges associated with it.
(10 MARKS - 400 WORDS)
|
Forestry (Concepts of agroforestry, social forestry)
|
|
What is extension education and what are the methods employed for extension education? Also, discuss its benefits.
(10 MARKS - 400 WORDS)
|
Agriculture Extensions (Its role and importance, evaluation methods of extension programmes)
|
|
Briefly explain the five problems associated with Agricultural Marketing.
(10 MARKS - 400 WORDS)
|
Agricultural Finance and Marketing (Issues in Agricultural Marketing)
|
|
The value of India’s score in RBI’s Financial Inclusion Index has increased in 2023. In this context, discuss the challenges to financial inclusion in India.
(10 MARKS - 400 WORDS)
|
Financial Institutions and Rural Banking in India (Reforms in the Financial Sector / Banking)
|
|
The sources of institutional credit have increased in our country. However, many farmers still depend on non-institutional sources of credit. Discuss the reasons involved.
(15 marks - 600 WORDS)
|
Agriculture (Non-Institutional and Institutional Agencies in rural credit)
|
|
Write a note on India’s demographic dividend. What are the challenges involved in utilizing it?
(15 marks - 600 WORDS)
|
Population Trends (Population Growth and Economic Development)
|
NABARD 2022
|
PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS
|
SYLLABUS TOPICS
|
|---|---|
|
What is social forestry? What are the objectives of social forestry? What are the various facets of social forestry and list some economic benefits?
(10 mark; 400 words)
|
Forestry (Concepts of agroforestry, social forestry, joint forest management)
|
|
What are the key objectives of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission? What are its features and components?
(10 mark; 400 words)
|
Rural Development (NRLM, other rural development programmes)
|
|
How globalization has benefitted the Indian Economy?
(10 marks; 400 words; COMPULSORY QUESTION)
|
Economic Globalization (Globalization, its impacts on Indian Agriculture)
|
|
PDS is playing a crucial part in Food Economy, however, there are certain lacunae in it. Discuss.
(15 mark; 600 words)
|
Agricultural Finance and Marketing (Issues in Food Security in India)
|
|
Investment in Social Infrastructure is a prerequisite for inclusive growth.” Discuss this in Indian Context.
(15 mark; 600 words)
|
Social Infrastructure (Education, Health and Environment)
|
|
Discuss the objectives of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). Also, highlight the important initiatives under this scheme
(15 mark; 600 words; COMPULSORY QUESTION)
|
Fisheries (Government initiatives in fisheries sector)
|
NABARD 2021
|
PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS
|
SYLLABUS TOPICS
|
|---|---|
|
Review the Minimum Support Price
(600 words, 15 Marks)
|
Agricultural Finance and Marketing (Issues in Agricultural Marketing)
|
|
How WTO Agreements have dual effects on the Indian Economy?
(600 words, 15 Marks)
|
Globalization (WTO and its impacts on Indian Agriculture)
|
|
Farmers' dependence on non-institutional sources of finance has been on decline. Comment
(400 words, 10 Marks)
|
Agriculture (Non-Institutional and Institutional Agencies in rural credit)
|
|
What is cross-breeding? Explain different methods of cross-breeding? What are the advantages and disadvantages of cross-breeding?
(600 words, 15 Marks)
|
Animal Husbandry (Cross breeding methods and their advantages/disadvantages)
|
|
What is drip irrigation? How has it changed the face of agriculture? Discuss advantages and limitations of drip irrigation?
(400 words, 10 Marks)
|
Water Resource (Micro-Irrigation, Advantages and limitations of drip irrigation)
|
|
What is social forestry? Explain its objectives and components
(400 words, 10 Marks)
|
Forestry (Concepts of agroforestry, social forestry)
|
5. Recurring Syllabus Topics
Based on the above analysis, the following syllabus topics were repeated across the 3 years:
1. Forestry (Concepts of agroforestry, social forestry)
- NABARD 2023: Agroforestry
- NABARD 2022: Social Forestry
- NABARD 2021: Social Forestry
2. Agricultural Finance and Marketing (Issues in Agricultural Marketing)
- NABARD 2023: Agricultural Marketing
- NABARD 2022: Public Distribution System (PDS)
- NABARD 2021: Minimum Support Price
3. Globalization and its Impacts on Indian Agriculture
- NABARD 2022: Globalization
- NABARD 2021: WTO Agreements
4. Institutional and Non-Institutional Agencies in Rural Credit
- NABARD 2023: Institutional and Non-Institutional Credit
- NABARD 2021: Institutional and Non-Institutional Finance
Focus Areas
Given that these topics have been continuously repeated, they should be prioritized for study:
- Forestry: Concepts of agroforestry, social forestry, joint forest management.
- Agricultural Finance and Marketing: Issues in agricultural marketing, food security, minimum support price.
- Globalization: Impacts on Indian agriculture, WTO agreements.
- Institutional and Non-Institutional Credit: Sources of rural credit, dependence on non-institutional finance.
Focusing on these areas will likely yield better preparation for the NABARD Grade – A exam, given their consistent appearance in past papers.
6. Preparation Strategy
Preparing for the NABARD Grade-A exam requires a strategic approach that encompasses several key aspects.
Stay Focused and Committed
- Consistency is Key: Establish a daily study routine that allocates specific hours for studying and practicing descriptive answer writing. Consistent effort over time is crucial for mastering the content and improving your writing skills.
- Set Clear Goals: Define your short-term and long-term goals. Break down your preparation into manageable tasks, and set milestones to track your progress. This approach will keep you motivated and focused.
Utilize Past Papers
- Analyze Past Questions: Review previous years’ question papers to understand the types of questions asked, the format, and the level of difficulty. This will give you insights into what the examiners expect.
- Practice Writing Answers: Regularly practice writing answers to past questions. This will help you develop a knack for structuring your answers effectively and managing your time during the exam.
- Identify Patterns: Look for patterns in the questions and topics that are frequently covered. This can help you prioritize your study topics and focus on areas that are likely to be tested.
Connect Ideas
- Interlink Topics: Develop the ability to connect different topics and concepts. This skill is essential for presenting comprehensive answers that demonstrate a deep understanding of the subject matter.
- Use Real-Life Examples: Incorporate current events and real-life examples to support your answers. This not only makes your answers more engaging but also shows your awareness of contemporary issues.
- Develop Analytical Skills: Practice analyzing and synthesizing information from various sources. This will enable you to present well-rounded arguments and viewpoints in your answers.
Time Management
- Simulate Exam Conditions: Practice answering questions within the same time constraints as the actual exam. This will help you get accustomed to the pressure and improve your time management skills.
- Prioritize Questions: Learn to quickly assess the questions and prioritize them based on your strengths. Answer the questions you are most confident about first, and then move on to the more challenging ones.
- Monitor Your Progress: Keep track of the time you spend on each question during practice sessions. Aim to improve your speed without compromising the quality of your answers.
Seek Feedback
- Peer Review: Share your answers with peers who are also preparing for the exam. Peer reviews can provide you with different perspectives and constructive criticism.
- Mentor Guidance: Seek feedback from mentors or experts who have experience with the NABARD exam. They can offer valuable insights and tips to enhance your writing and overall preparation.
- Continuous Improvement: Use the feedback to identify your weaknesses and work on them. Regularly revising and refining your answers will lead to continuous improvement.
Join NABARD Mentorship Program
7. Conclusion
Writing descriptive answers for the NABARD Grade A exam requires a structured approach, a deep understanding of the topics, and continuous practice. By following the tips and strategies outlined in this blog, you can enhance your answer-writing skills and increase your chances of success in the exam. Stay focused, practice regularly, and aim for excellence in every aspect of your preparation.
See you in Part 2 of the “Mastering NABARD Grade-A Descriptive Writing” Mega Blog series.
Good Luck 😀
