Preparation for NABARD Grade A 2025? If you’re looking to work with one of India’s finest financial institutions in rural and farm development, getting through the NABARD Grade A exam is your key to a coveted professional career. A multi-stage recruitment process and wide syllabus touching Economic & Social Issues, Agriculture & Rural Development, and the like, leave little room for a haphazard approach; a wise and well-planned preparation strategy becomes a must. In this extensive guide, we dissect the entire NABARD Grade A 2025 plan — from the current syllabus, last 4 year cut-offs, and a feasible study plan so that you stay ahead of others. Whether it’s your first attempt or repeat attempt, this blog will be your go-to solution for everything you require to crack NABARD Grade A 2025.
Syllabus of NABARD Grade A
Knowing the syllabus of NABARD Grade A syllabus 2025 will be your first step towards your preparation on a strong note. Now that the around the corner with the conclusion of the current exam cycle, you should begin your preparation with C4S Courses as quick as you can.
NABARD Grade A Prelims Syllabus
| SECTION | TOPICS |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Time and Work, Mensuration, Average, Speed, Distance and Time, Mixture and Allegations, Permutation and Combination, Probability, Data Interpretation, Ratio & Proportion, Simplification & Approximation, Percentage, Set Theory, Data Interpretation, Quadratic Equation, Number Series, Profit & loss, Boats & Stream, Simple and Compound Interest, Data Sufficiency. |
| English Language | Grammar, Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension, Passage Making, Error Spotting, Jumble Words, Sentence Framing, Fill in the Blanks, Cloze Test, Sentence Rearrangement, Idioms & Phrases. |
| General Awareness | Monetary Policies, Banking & Financial Awareness, Economic Terms, Current Affairs, Static GK, Financial & Economics News, Government Schemes, Agreement & Deals, Banking terms, rates, processes, National Institution. |
| Reasoning Ability | Puzzles, Seating Arrangement – Circular, Square and Linear, Data Sufficiency, Directions and Distance, Coding Decoding, Blood Relations, Inequality, Syllogism, Machine Input Output, Verbal Reasoning, Ordering and Ranking, Alphanumeric Series. |
| Computer Knowledge | Computer Languages, Basic Hardware and Software, History of Computer, Devices, Viruses and Hacking, MS Office, Networking. |
| Decision Making | Behaviour Decision Making ,Managerial Decision making ,Eligibility Criteria based decision making ,Data Arrangements Based Decision making. |
NABARD Grade A Mains Syllabus
NABARD Grade A Phase 2 (Mains) syllabus is different of different streams. For general stream, topics from Agriculture & Rural Development and Economic & Social Issues are covered. For the specialized posts, Paper 2 will consist of questions from the respective field of specialization.
NABARD Grade A Mains Syllabus ( Generalist ) Paper 1
Paper 1 of NABARD Grade A Mains will consist of English Language which is descriptive type in online mode. Candidates are supposed to type their answers and comprehension skills will be examined in this phase. The detailed NABARD Grade A syllabus Paper 1 is given below.
| SECTION | TOPICS |
| English (Writing Skills) | Essay, Precis writing, Comprehension and Business/Office Correspondence. |
NABARD Grade A Mains Syllabus ( Generalist ) Paper 2
Paper 2 will consist of questions from the respective field of specialization.
NABARD Grade A Syllabus for Economic and Social Issues
| SECTION | TOPICS |
| Economic and Social Issues | Nature of Indian Economy Structural and Institutional features Economic underdevelopment Opening up the Indian Economy Globalisation Economic Reforms in India Privatisation Inflation – Trends, Causes, Consequences Population Trends Population Growth and Economic Development Poverty Alleviation and Employment Generation in India Rural and Urban population Migration and Urbanisation Social Structure in India – Multiculturalism Demographic Trends Indian Political System Human Development Social Sectors in India – Health and Education |
NABARD Grade A Syllabus for Agriculture and Rural Development
| SECTION | TOPIC |
| Agriculture | Agriculture: definition, meaning and its branches, Agronomy: definition, meaning and scope of agronomy, Classification of field crops, Factors affecting crop production, Agro Climatic Zones Cropping Systems: Definition and types of cropping systems, Problems of dry land Agriculture- Seed production, seed processing, seed village Meteorology: weather parameters, crop-weather advisory, Precision Farming, Organic farming 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 Farm and Agri Engineering: Farm Machinery and Power, Sources of power on the farm- human, animal, mechanical, electrical, wind, solar and biomass, bio fuels, water harvesting structures, farm ponds, watershed management, Agro-Processing, Controlled and modified storage, perishable food storage, godowns, bins and grain silos. Plantation & Horticulture: Definition, meaning and its branches. Agronomic practices and production technology of various plantation and horticulture crops. Post-harvest management, value and supply chain management of Plantation and Horticulture crops. Animal Husbandry: Farm animals and their role in Indian economy, Animal husbandry methods in India, common terms pertaining to different species of livestock, Utility classification of breeds of cattle. Introduction to common feeds and fodders, their classification and utility. Introduction to poultry industry in India (past, present and future status), Common terms pertaining to poultry production and management. Concept of mixed farming and its relevance to socio-economic conditions of farmers in India. Complimentary and obligatory nature of livestock and poultry production with that of agricultural farming. Fisheries: Fisheries resources, management and exploitation – freshwater, brackish water and marine; 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. Principles of silviculture, forest mensuration, forest management and forest economics. Concepts of social forestry, agroforestry, joint forest management. Forest policy and legislation in India, India State of Forest Report 2017. Recent developments under Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Agriculture Extensions: Its importance and role, methods of evaluation of extension programs, Role of Krishi Vigyan Kendra’s (KVK) in dissemination of Agricultural technologies. Ecology and Climate Change: Ecology and its relevance to man, natural resources, their sustainable management and conservation. Causes of climate change, Green House Gases (GHG), major GHG emitting countries, climate analysis, distinguish between adaptation and mitigation, climate change impact to agriculture and rural livelihood, carbon credit, IPCC, UNFCCC, CoP meetings, funding mechanisms for climate change projects, initiatives by Govt of India, NAPCC, SAPCC, INDC. Present Scenario of Indian Agriculture and Allied activities; recent trends, major challenges in agriculture measures to enhance viability of agriculture. Factors of Production in agriculture; Agricultural Finance and Marketing; Impact of Globalization on Indian Agriculture and issues of Food Security; Concept and Types of Farm Management. |
| Rural Development | Rural Area: Concept of Rural Area, Structure of the Indian Rural Economy Importance and role of the rural sector in India- Economic, Social and Demographic Characteristics of the Indian rural economy, causes of Rural Backwardness Rural population in India: Occupational structure, Farmers, Agricultural Labourers, Artisans, Handicrafts, Traders, Forest dwellers/tribes and others in rural India- Trends of change in rural population and rural workforce; problems and conditions of rural labour; Issues and challenges in Handlooms Panchayati Raj Institutions: Functions and Working. MGNREGA, NRLM – Aajeevika, Rural Drinking water Programs, Swachh Bharat, Rural Housing, PURA and other rural development programs |
Cut-Off Trends of Last 4 Years
Over the years, the cut-off for the NABARD Grade A exam has varied, influenced by factors such as the number of candidates, the difficulty level of the exam, and vacancies available. This blog will provide a detailed analysis of the NABARD Grade A cut-off from 2021 to 2024, offering insights into the trends and patterns to help aspirants better understand the expectations and prepare more effectively.
- Analysis is being done from 2021 because pattern was changed from here so previous cutoff will not have that significance NABARD Grade A 2021 Phase 1 (Prelims) Cut-Off
- We have take UR cut off as a base for common understanding so that all can have a target as per that
- The cutoff analysis is for generalist stream for NABARD Grade A Exam.
NABARD Grade A (General Discipline) Cut-Offs (2021–2024)
| Year | Prelims Cut-Off (UR) | Mains Cut-Off (UR) | Final Cut-Off (UR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 53.50 | 118.42 | 164.33 |
| 2022 | 41.75 | 130.50 | 164.33 |
| 2023 | 46.00 | 128.50 | 172.75 |
| 2024 | 47 | 126.75 | 168 |
NABARD Grade A Cut-Offs (2021–2024) – Subject-Wise Comparison
| Year | Exam Phase | Reasoning (20) | English Language (30) | Computer Knowledge (20) | Quantitative Aptitude (20) | Decision Making (10) | General Awareness (20) | ESI (40) | ARD (40) | General English (100) (Mains) | ESI & ARD Objective (50) (Mains) | ESI & ARD Descriptive (50) (Mains) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Phase 1 | 3.75 | 11.25 | 3.25 | 5.00 | 1.25 | 3.00 | 4.50 | 6.50 | 50.25 | 18.75 | 21.25 |
| 2022 | Phase 1 | 3.75 | 12.50 | 5.50 | 3.00 | 1.50 | 3.25 | 2.25 | 6.75 | 49.00 | 19.00 | 23.75 |
| 2023 | Phase 1 | 3.00 | 10.25 | 2.75 | 3.00 | 1.50 | 2.75 | 3.50 | 4.25 | 53.25 | 22.50 | 31.00 |
| 2024 | Phase 1 | 3.25 | 10.75 | 4.00 | 4.50 | 2.00 | 1.25 | 3.50 | 6.25 | 54.00 | 22.25 | 32.00 |
Observation from the Cut-Off
- English Language Cut-Off Increased Over Time:
- In 2021, it was 11.25, peaked at 12.50 in 2022, and slightly dropped to 10.25 in 2023 before rising again to 10.75 in 2024.
- Indicates fluctuations in difficulty levels of the English section over the years.
- Decision Making Remained Low Across All Years:
- First introduced in 2021 with a cut-off of 1.25.
- Saw minor fluctuations but never exceeded 2.00 in 2024.
- Suggests low difficulty or limited impact on the overall score.
- General Awareness Cut-Off Dropped Significantly in 2024:
- 2021: 3.00
- 2022: 3.25
- 2023: 2.75
- 2024: 1.25
- Indicates tougher GA section in 2024, leading to lower scores across candidates.
- ESI & ARD Scores in Mains Increased Every Year:
- Objective Section:
- 2021: 18.75, increased to 22.50 in 2023, slightly dropped to 22.25 in 2024.
- Descriptive Section:
- 2021: 21.25, rose consistently to 32.00 in 2024.
- Suggests that candidates have adapted better to these sections, improving their scores.
- Objective Section:
- General English (Mains) Saw a Major Increase:
- Cut-off was 50.25 in 2021, increased to 54.00 in 2024.
- Indicates higher evaluation standards and growing competition.
- NABARD Grade A has become more competitive, especially in ESI & ARD (Descriptive) and General English (Mains).
- General Awareness cut-offs dropped, likely due to tougher questions in recent years.
- Decision Making remains a low-impact section, but it’s still important for qualification.
- English and Subject Knowledge (ESI/ARD) are now the most crucial areas for scoring well in both Prelims and Mains.
Study Plan for NABARD Grade A
“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” – Arthur Ashe
PRELIMS STRATEGY (Phase 1)
- Preparing for the Prelims stage of NABARD Grade A requires a smart, balanced strategy because while it is qualifying in nature, your performance here decides whether you move to the next round. The key focus areas in Prelims are Economic and Social Issues (ESI), Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD), and General Awareness, as these three sections carry the most weight. Begin by understanding the exam structure and syllabus properly. Once that’s clear, start building your concepts using C4S Courses, which provide topic-wise video lectures, easy-to-understand notes, and current affairs compilations tailored specifically for NABARD. Instead of just reading bulky books, rely on structured resources that focus on what’s most relevant.
- Start your day with one ESI or ARD concept, such as “poverty alleviation” or “types of farming systems.” After watching the lecture or reading notes, revise it using self-made bullet points. Make it visual—draw diagrams for rural credit flow, use flowcharts to remember government schemes, and create mind maps for budget themes. When you understand visually, you remember better. For General Awareness, dedicate 20–30 minutes daily to revise important news, government schemes, and agriculture-related updates. Stick to C4S monthly current affairs PDFs, as they are focused, well-organized, and updated with NABARD-specific content.
- As for the qualifying sections—Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English Language, and Computer Knowledge—practice them daily for at least 30–45 minutes. You don’t need to master them, but consistent practice ensures you cross the qualifying marks easily. Solve sectional tests every few days and revise your weak areas. Make it a habit to take a full-length mock test every week, analyze your mistakes, and improve. C4S provides quality mock tests that simulate the actual exam experience, helping you build both speed and accuracy. Keep your revision structured and don’t go overboard with too many resources. Focus on one reliable source like C4S, revise multiple times, and trust the process.
MAINS STRATEGY (Phase 2)
- The Mains stage of NABARD Grade A is where your writing, understanding, and analytical thinking are tested. There are two papers here: Paper I (Descriptive English) and Paper II (ESI + ARD, descriptive and objective). For Paper I, focus on improving your essay writing, letter writing, and precis writing skills. Choose relevant topics like “Digital Agriculture in India” or “Role of Rural Infrastructure in Development” and practice writing in a structured format—introduction, body, and conclusion. Use C4S Descriptive Writing Modules that offer model answers, important essay topics, and practice questions. Maintain a notebook of impactful quotes, facts, and schemes to enrich your writing. For example, using a quote like “Agriculture is the backbone of India” at the start of an essay makes it more compelling and adds depth.
- For Paper II (ESI + ARD), divide your preparation into two parts—static and current affairs. Static includes theories, definitions, policies, and basics of rural development, inflation, farm practices, etc. Follow the C4S static content for well-organized topic-wise notes. For current affairs, revise important government schemes, NABARD initiatives, union budget highlights, and economic survey points using the C4S dynamic modules, which are concise and highly exam-focused. Practicing descriptive answers here is key. Take a few questions every week, write structured answers in a timed format, and submit them for evaluation if possible. C4S also provides personalized feedback on your descriptive answers, which helps improve your structure, grammar, and content quality.
- It’s important to simulate the real exam environment. Dedicate one day every week as your mock practice day—attempt a descriptive paper, write an essay, and revise a full subject like ARD or ESI. Use this time to reflect on your progress and plug any knowledge gaps. Make use of visual revision tools like flowcharts and tables—for example, create a table showing different types of farming or a chart explaining poverty alleviation programs. These help during quick last-minute revisions. Lastly, maintain consistency. This exam isn’t about cramming but about understanding deeply and expressing clearly.
- As you prepare for the interview stage (if shortlisted), start forming strong opinions on rural and agricultural issues. Stay updated with real-world developments and align them with your academic background or work experience. Watch C4S Interview videos and attend mock sessions to improve your communication and confidence. Remember, your personality and thought process matter here.
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
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