NABARD Exam Complete Information

NABARD: A Pillar of Rural Development in India

When we talk about rural development and agricultural growth in India, one name that stands tall is NABARD – the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development. This prestigious institution plays a vital role in shaping the rural economy, supporting farmers, and funding development projects that impact the grassroots level.

A Brief Background

NABARD was established in 1982 under the NABARD Act of 1981, but its roots go back a few years earlier. It was formed in 1979 based on the recommendations of a special committee called CRAFICARD (Committee to Review the Arrangements for Institutional Credit for Agriculture and Rural Development), chaired by Shri B. Sivaraman.

When it began its operations, NABARD took over key responsibilities from:

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) related to agricultural credit.
• The Agricultural Refinance and Development Corporation (ARDC) related to refinancing rural credit institutions.

What Makes NABARD So Important?

NABARD is fully owned by the Government of India and is at the heart of India’s efforts to boost rural and agricultural development. It supervises Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) and cooperative banks, ensuring that the financial backbone of rural India remains strong and responsive.

But NABARD’s reach goes beyond India’s borders. It actively partners with global development organizations like the:

• World Bank
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
• KfW (a German government-owned development bank)
• Women’s World Banking

These partnerships help bring in global best practices, funding, and innovation to support Indian farmers and rural communities.

A Dream Career: NABARD Grade A & B Exams

Every year, thousands of aspirants aim to become a part of this highly respected institution by cracking the NABARD Grade A and Grade B exams. And for good reason—these positions offer not only a stable government career but also the chance to create a real impact on the ground.

• Grade A Officers are recruited as Assistant Managers, often taking their first step into leadership roles in rural policy implementation.
• Grade B Officers join at the Manager level, handling more responsibility and decision-making power.

These roles are not just about banking—they’re about being part of a mission to drive sustainable agriculture, empower rural communities, and ensure financial inclusion.

Why This Exam Is So Competitive

Getting into NABARD isn’t easy—and it shouldn’t be. The selection process is designed to pick the best minds who are genuinely passionate about rural development. As a NABARD officer, your work directly influences agricultural policy, credit planning, and rural development projects.

If you’re planning to appear for the NABARD Grade A or B 2025 exam, you’re aiming for a career that is not only prestigious but also deeply fulfilling.

Exam Name	NABARD Grade A & NABARD Grade B
Post	Grade A: Assistant ManagerGrade B: Manager
Organisation Name	National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
Exam Type	Online Examination
Application Fees	Grade A:General/OBC/EWS – ₹800SC/ST/PwD – ₹150Grade B:General/OBC/EWS – ₹900SC/ST/PwD – ₹150
Selection Process	1. Phase 1: Prelims2. Phase 2: Mains3. Phase 3: Interview
Job Location	India (All India Posting)
Category	Government Job
Official Website	www.nabard.org

What is the Full Form of NABARD?

NABARD stands for National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development.

As the name suggests, it’s a special bank set up with the main goal of supporting agriculture and promoting development in rural India. Whether it’s helping farmers with loans, funding rural infrastructure, or supporting small industries in villages—NABARD plays a key role in improving the lives of people in the countryside.

A Quick Look at NABARD’s Origins

The idea of NABARD didn’t just appear out of thin air. It was the result of serious planning and study.

Back in the day, the Government of India asked the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to look into how credit (mainly loans and financing) was being provided for farming and rural development. In response, a special committee was formed called CRAFICARD—short for the Committee to Review the Arrangements for Institutional Credit for Agriculture and Rural Development.

This committee suggested that a dedicated bank was needed to streamline and strengthen the flow of credit to rural areas. That recommendation led to the formation of NABARD.

What Does NABARD Actually Do?

NABARD isn’t just another government bank—it’s India’s backbone for rural development. From improving agricultural practices to funding rural infrastructure, it’s at the heart of every initiative aimed at transforming rural India.

A Quick Glimpse of Its Reach

As of May 2023, NABARD has:

• 31 regional offices across India.
• 4,000+ partner organizations, working on everything from self-help groups (SHGs) to soil and water conservation, and improving crop productivity.

Not only that—it’s one of the top 50 taxpayers in India, and instead of just sitting on profits, it reinvests them back into development work. That’s real commitment!

Key Functions of NABARD

Here’s what NABARD does, broken down in simple terms:

1. Refinancing

• NABARD acts as the main source of funds for many rural development projects.
• It provides refinance support to banks and financial institutions that lend in rural areas.
• It also works closely with big institutions like the RBI and various government departments to coordinate credit policies.

2. Banking Supervision

• NABARD keeps an eye on cooperative banks and regional rural banks (RRBs).
• It ensures these banks are functioning efficiently and delivering loans where they are most needed.

3. Development Work

• This is where NABARD shines! It runs several on-the-ground development programs such as:
  • The SHG-Bank Linkage programme (connecting self-help groups to banks).
  • Natural resource management and microfinance support.
  • Promoting sustainable agricultural practices and innovation in rural economies.

NABARD Grade A & B Exams 2025 – What You Need to Know

If you’re aiming to work at NABARD, you’ll be applying through the Grade A or Grade B exams Grade A – Assistant Manager

This is one of the most prestigious entry-level positions in India’s development banking sector. A Grade A officer has a huge responsibility—you’re not just doing a desk job, you’re helping shape rural India’s future!

Grade B – Manager

A Grade B officer is a step above Grade A in terms of seniority and responsibilities. With greater decision-making powers, Grade B Managers are involved in higher-level planning and supervision.

Exam Difference: Grade A vs Grade B

Both exams have similar stages—Prelims, Mains, and Interview. However, the Grade B Mains exam has one extra paper, which tests:

• Development Economics
• Statistics
• Finance
• Management

This additional paper makes the Grade B selection slightly more competitive.

NABARD Grade A & Grade B 2025: Selection Procedure

NABARD Grade A & Grade B 2025 selection procedure is a three-stage process that involves the following phases –

Phase 1 – Preliminary exam

This is the first step of the journey. It’s an online objective test meant to screen candidates. The paper includes subjects like English, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, Computer Knowledge, and topics related to Agriculture & Rural Development, Economic & Social Issues, etc.
It’s qualifying in nature, which means the marks won’t count for the final selection, but you need to clear it to move on to the next round.

Phase 2 – Mains exam

This is the most crucial phase, as the marks you score here do count towards your final merit. The Mains consists of both descriptive and objective papers, depending on the post.
For Grade B candidates, there is one additional paper (analytical paper on Development Economics, Statistics, Finance, and Management) apart from what Grade A candidates have to appear for.

Phase 3 – Interview or Personality Test

If you clear the Mains, you’ll be invited for the final round—the interview. This is where your personality, communication skills, and understanding of rural development issues are evaluated.
It’s your chance to make a strong impression and show why you’re the right fit for a prestigious institution like NABARD.

NABARD Grade A & Grade B 2025: Job Profile

Once you get selected as an Assistant Manager (Grade A), you can be posted in any department of NABARD, no matter what your educational background is.

NABARD follows a formal and structured work culture, so you’ll be working under the supervision of a Chief General Manager (CGM), who will be your reporting officer.

Similarly, when you join NABARD as a Grade B Officer, you take up the position of a Manager. Your role will involve handling a range of responsibilities—from approving loans to coordinating work between departments.

NABARD Grade A & Grade B 2025: Salary

The NABARD Grade A and B roles are some of the top positions in India’s banking sector. These jobs not only offer challenging responsibilities but also come with a rewarding career and financial growth.

NABARD is known for being very generous when it comes to perks and allowances—even covering small day-to-day expenses. (Sounds exciting, right?)

Here’s what the salary looks like for a NABARD Grade A officer:

• The basic pay: In 2025, according to official NABARD updates, the starting basic pay is Rs. 44,500(approx.).
• Gross monthly salary: When you add allowances like , House Rent Allowance (HRA), etc., the total monthly salary goes up to around Rs. 1,00,000(approx).

Every year, more than 1 lakh aspirants compete for a few openings. One of the big reasons is that NABARD offers fantastic perks and benefits, covering almost every possible expense.

NABARD Grade A 2025: Eligibility Criteria

The official notification for NABARD Grade A 2025 hasn’t been released yet. But if we go by previous years, it’s safe to say that there probably won’t be any big changes in the eligibility rules.

The eligibility criteria for NABARD Grade A mainly focus on:

• Educational Qualifications
• Age Limit (and relaxations)
• Nationality

Important Note: Only Indian citizens can apply for the NABARD Grade A exam.

Also, while there’s a set age limit, there’s no limit on the number of attempts—which means you can try as many times as you want, as long as you meet the other eligibility conditions.

Let’s break down the eligibility criteria one by one:

1) Age Eligibility (as of 01 September 2025)

You should be between 21 and 30 years old as of 01 September 2025.
In simple terms, your date of birth should fall between:
02-09-1995 and 01-09-2004.

2) Educational Qualification

To apply for the Grade A post (General stream) in NABARD’s Rural Development Banking Service (RDBS), you must have any one of the following qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s Degree with at least 60% marks overall.
  (For SC/ST/PwBD applicants, minimum marks required is 55%.)

OR

• A Postgraduate Degree, or an MBA/PGDM, with at least 55% marks overall.
  (For SC/ST/PwBD applicants, minimum marks required is 50%.)

OR

• A professional degree like CA, CS, or ICWA.

So, as long as you meet any one of these educational qualifications and fall within the age limit, you’re good to go for NABARD Grade A 2025!

NABARD Grade A 2025: Notifications

NABARD usually puts out a newspaper advertisement before the official Grade A notification. This ad gives a sneak peek into important details like the expected notification date and an idea of the number of vacancies—which typically falls between 100 and 150, based on previous years.

As of now, the official NABARD Grade A 2025 notification hasn’t been released.

But once it’s out, the notification will have all the key information, such as:

• Exam dates for both Phase 1 and Phase 2
• Number of vacancies
• Eligibility criteria
• Syllabus
• Application process and more

The online registration will also begin on the same day the notification is published.

If you’re planning to prepare for this exam, we recommend that you stay alert and keep checking our page regularly for the latest updates and important announcements!

NABARD Grade A 2025: Important Dates

The official notification for the NABARD Grade A 2025 exam hasn’t been released yet. As soon as it’s out, we’ll update this page with all the important dates you need to know.

Meanwhile, here’s a quick table to give you an overview of the important events and their expected timelines for NABARD Grade A 2025:

Events	Dates 2025
NABARD Grade A Official Notification	To Be Announced
NABARD Grade A – Online Application Dates	To Be Announced
NABARD Grade A Prelims Admit Card	To Be Announced
NABARD Grade A Prelims (Phase 1) Exam Date	To Be Announced
NABARD Grade A Prelims Result	To Be Announced
NABARD Grade A Prelims Cut-off Release Date	To Be Announced
NABARD Grade A Mains Admit Card	To Be Announced
NABARD Grade A Mains (Phase 2) Exam Date	To Be Announced
NABARD Grade A Mains Result	To Be Announced
NABARD Grade A Mains Cut-off Release Date	To Be Announced
NABARD Grade A Interview Date	To Be Announced
NABARD Grade A Final Result	To Be Announced
NABARD Grade A Final Cut-off Release Date	To Be Announced

Note: Keep an eye on this space! We’ll update it with accurate dates once NABARD releases the official notification.

NABARD Grade A & Grade B 2025: Application Form

The application process for NABARD Grade A hasn’t started yet because the official notification is still awaited.

Once the notification is out, the application window will open on the same day and will typically remain open for around 15 to 20 days.

Filling out the application form is the first and most important step for anyone who wants to appear for the exam.
If you don’t complete this step, you won’t be allowed to take the NABARD Grade A exam. So make sure to apply on time!

NABARD Grade A 2025: Application Fee

Here’s a quick look at the application fee you’ll need to pay while applying for NABARD Grade A 2025, depending on your category:

Category of Applicant	Application Fee (₹)	Intimation Charges (₹)	Total Fee (₹)
SC / ST / PWBD	0 (NIL)	150	150*
All Others (General/OBC/EWS)	700	150	850*

Note:
The total fee includes both the application and intimation charges.
Make sure to pay the correct fee as per your category while submitting your application!

NABARD Grade A & B 2025: Exam Pattern

You’ll find all the important details about the latest exam pattern for NABARD Grade A 2025 in this section.

Let’s break down the structure of the NABARD Grade A Preliminary and Mains exams below:

Phase I – Preliminary Examination

The Prelims Exam for Grade A will be held online, and it acts as a screening test to shortlist candidates for the next stage.

The Preliminary Exam will be made up of Objective Type Questions (MCQs) and will carry a total of 200 marks.

• Duration: You’ll get a total of 120 minutes to finish the exam.
• Total Marks: The exam is out of 200 marks.

Here’s the section-wise breakup:

Section	No. of Questions	Marks
I) Test of Reasoning	20 questions	20 marks
II) English Language	30 questions	30 marks
III) Computer Knowledge	20 questions	20 marks
IV) Quantitative Aptitude	20 questions	20 marks
V) Decision Making	10 questions	10 marks
VI) General Awareness	20 questions	20 marks
VII) Economic & Social Issues (focus on Rural India)	40 questions	40 marks
VIII) Agriculture & Rural Development (focus on Rural India)	40 questions	40 marks

This structure gives equal importance to general aptitude and domain-specific knowledge related to rural development and agriculture.

Phase II – Mains Examination

The Mains Examination of NABARD Grade A will be online and will have two papers.

Paper-I

General English (Descriptive – conducted online using the keyboard)

• This paper will consist of descriptive-type questions.
• It carries a total of 100 marks.
• Duration: 1.5 hours (1 hour 30 minutes)
• Note: Paper I is common to all disciplines.

Paper-II (Objective as well as Descriptive)

This paper differs based on your stream:

• For General Discipline: Economic & Social Issues
• For other streams: Agriculture & Rural Development
• Duration: 2 hours
• Marks: 100 marks

Phase III – Interview

• This phase is worth 50 marks.

Now, talking about the NABARD Grade B Exam Pattern, it is exactly the same as that of the Grade A exam.

Everything—Phase 1, Phase 2 subjects, time limits, and maximum marks—is the same.

The only difference? There’s one extra paper in Phase 2 for Grade B.

Additional Paper for Grade B

• This paper is also a mix of Objective and Descriptive questions.
• Conducted online.
• Marks: 100
• Duration: 2 hours
• It is based on the following subjects:
  • Development Economics
  • Statistics
  • Finance & Management

Preparation Tips

If you’re gearing up for the NABARD Grade A 2025 exam, having a clear and organized study plan is super important for success.

To clear the exam, you’ll have to stay determined and put in consistent effort throughout your preparation.

Wondering how to prepare effectively? Along with the usual banking subjects like reasoning, English, and quantitative aptitude, you need to give special attention to topics like Finance & Management, Development Economics, and Statistics.

The best way to prepare is by following a balanced strategy that includes good time management, mastering each subject, and practicing with previous years’ question papers.

This approach will help you stay on track and boost your confidence for both Grade A and Grade B exams.

Conclusion

Preparing for the NABARD Grade A and B exams can be challenging, but with the right guidance, resources, and strategy, success is definitely within reach. C4S Courses offer comprehensive, well-structured, and up-to-date study material tailored specifically for these exams. Their expert faculty, detailed coverage of the syllabus, and focus on practical exam techniques give aspirants a clear edge over the competition.

Whether you are a beginner or someone looking to strengthen your knowledge, C4S Courses provide the support and confidence you need to crack the NABARD exams and embark on a rewarding career in rural development banking.

Invest in your future today with C4S – where your NABARD dream becomes a reality!

You’ve got this — now go make it happen.

Join NABARD Grade A Course

With a structured plan, daily discipline, and the right resources, you can master and move one step closer to your dream job at NABARD.

You’ve got this — let’s make it happen!

Watch C4S Interview videos and attend mock sessions to improve your communication and confidence. Remember, your personality and thought process matter here.

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In the words of Swami Vivekananda, “Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached.” Preparing for NABARD Grade A may seem challenging, but with the right mindset, structured guidance like that offered by C4S Courses, and consistent practice, success is within reach. Focus on understanding concepts, practice writing with clarity, revise smartly, and believe in your preparation journey. You’re not just preparing for a job—you’re preparing to contribute to the growth and prosperity of rural India.

Click to know details of the programme – https://learn.c4scourses.in/learn/NABARD2025

Remember, with the right strategy, dedication, and guidance, your dream of securing a prestigious position at NABARD is within reach. Stay focused, stay motivated, and make the most of every resource available to you