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NABARD Grade A Syllabus 2026

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NABARD Grade A Syllabus 2026 | Exam Pattern, Phase 1 & 2 Detailed Syllabus PDF | CrackTarget
NABARD Grade A 2026 Notification expected soon · Syllabus & pattern based on latest stable framework · Start preparation now
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NABARD Grade A Syllabus 2026

Complete Phase 1 (Prelims) & Phase 2 (Mains) exam pattern, detailed topic-wise syllabus for ESI, ARD, Reasoning, Quant & more — plus free study materials and smart preparation strategy.

View Exam Pattern ESI + ARD Syllabus
200
Phase 1 Marks
200
Phase 2 Marks
3 Stages
Prelims + Mains + Interview
0.25
Negative Marking
Last updated: 20 July 2026

Important Note for 2026 Aspirants

The official NABARD Grade A 2026 notification is expected between July–August 2026. The syllabus and exam pattern given below are based on the most recent stable framework (2024–2025 cycles). NABARD rarely makes major changes. Always cross-check with the official notification once released on nabard.org.

Selection Process

1

Phase 1 – Prelims

Objective test (200 marks, 120 min). Qualifying in nature. Only marks of Merit sections (GA + ESI + ARD) are considered for shortlisting to Phase 2.

Screening Stage
2

Phase 2 – Mains

Two papers: Descriptive English (100) + ESI & ARD (Objective 50 + Descriptive 50). Marks counted for final merit.

Merit Stage
3

Interview + Psychometric

Psychometric test followed by Interview (usually 50 marks). Final selection based on Phase 2 + Interview scores.

Final Stage

NABARD Grade A Exam Pattern 2026

Phase 1 – Preliminary Examination

120 Minutes · 200 Marks
S.No Section Questions Marks Nature
1 Test of Reasoning 20 20 Qualifying
2 English Language 30 30 Qualifying
3 Computer Knowledge 20 20 Qualifying
4 Quantitative Aptitude 20 20 Qualifying
5 Decision Making 10 10 Qualifying
6 General Awareness 20 20 Merit
7 Economic & Social Issues (focus on Rural India) 40 40 Merit
8 Agriculture & Rural Development (emphasis on Rural India) 40 40 Merit
Total 200 200
Composite time: 120 minutes
Negative marking: 0.25 per wrong answer
Bilingual (except English section)

Key Insight: Only the Merit sections (General Awareness + ESI + ARD = 100 marks) decide who qualifies for Phase 2. Qualifying sections just need to clear the sectional cut-off.

Phase 2 – Main Examination

200 Marks
I

Paper I – General English

Descriptive · Online

  • TypeDescriptive (typed)
  • Questions3
  • Marks100
  • Duration90 minutes

Essay, Precis Writing, Business/Office Correspondence or Comprehension

II

Paper II – ESI + ARD

Objective + Descriptive

  • Objective30 Qs · 50 Marks · 30 min
  • Descriptive6 Qs (attempt 4) · 50 Marks · 90 min
  • Total Marks100
  • Total Duration120 minutes

Descriptive answers can be typed in English or Hindi

Phase 1 Detailed Syllabus

Topic-wise breakdown of all eight sections. Focus more on the three Merit sections.

Puzzles & Seating Arrangement Syllogism Inequality Coding-Decoding Blood Relations Direction Sense Input-Output Data Sufficiency Order & Ranking Alphanumeric Series Statement-based (Verbal Reasoning)
Data Interpretation Quadratic Equations Number Series Simplification / Approximation Data Sufficiency Arithmetic (Profit & Loss, SI-CI, Time & Work, etc.) Quantity Comparison Mathematical Inequalities Percentage, Ratio, Average, Mixture
Reading Comprehension Cloze Test Error Spotting Sentence Improvement Fill in the Blanks Para Jumbles / Sentence Rearrangement Vocabulary (Synonyms, Antonyms) New Pattern Questions
History of Computers & Generations Hardware & Input-Output Devices Software & Operating Systems MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) Internet & Networking DBMS Basics Computer Security & Shortcuts Memory & Storage
Basics of Decision Making Types of Decision Making Decision Making Models & Approaches Factors Affecting Decision Making Problem Solving Scenarios

Focus on last 6 months current affairs + Banking & Rural Development awareness.

Current Affairs
National & International News Government Schemes Awards & Appointments Sports & Defence Science & Technology Environment
Banking & Static
Banking & Economy Terms RBI & Monetary Policy NABARD Functions & Schemes Financial Institutions Static GK (important for rural focus)
Nature of Indian Economy

Structural & Institutional features, Economic underdevelopment, Opening up of Indian Economy, Globalisation, Economic Reforms, Privatisation.

Inflation, Poverty & Employment

Trends in Inflation & impact, Rural & Urban poverty measurement, Poverty alleviation programmes, Population trends & policy.

Agriculture & Industry

Characteristics of Indian Agriculture, Technical & Institutional changes, Food security, Rural credit agencies, Industrial & Labour policy, Regional imbalance, Public Sector Enterprises.

Rural Banking & Globalisation

Reforms in Banking/Financial sector, Role of IMF, World Bank, WTO, Regional Economic Cooperation.

Social Structure & Justice

Multiculturalism, Demographic trends, Urbanisation, Gender issues, Education, Health, Environment, Problems of SC/ST/OBC, Positive discrimination, Human Development, Social movements.

Agriculture Basics

Definition, branches, Agronomy, Classification of field crops, Factors affecting crop production, Agro-climatic zones, Cropping systems, Dryland agriculture, Seed production & village, Meteorology, Precision farming, Organic farming, System of Crop Intensification.

Soil & Water

Major soil types, Fertility, Fertilizers, Soil erosion & conservation, Watershed management, Irrigation types & sources, Crop water requirement, Micro-irrigation, Command area development.

Farm Engineering & Horticulture

Farm machinery & power sources, Water harvesting, Agro-processing, Storage structures, Plantation & Horticulture crops, Post-harvest management, Value chain.

Animal Husbandry, Fisheries & Forestry

Role of livestock, Breeds, Feeds & fodders, Poultry, Mixed farming, Fisheries resources & aquaculture, Basic forestry concepts, Social forestry, Agroforestry, Climate change & agriculture, KVKs, Agricultural extension.

Phase 2 Detailed Syllabus

Paper I is Descriptive English. Paper II covers ESI + ARD in both objective and descriptive formats. The descriptive part of Paper II is extremely important for final selection.

I Paper I – General English (Descriptive)

Tests writing skills, expression and understanding of the topic. Answers are typed on computer.

Essay

Economic & financial issues, social developments, agriculture, governance, environment, technology, abstract themes.

Precis Writing

Condense a given passage while retaining the core message and tone.

Correspondence / Comprehension

Business/Office letter, email, report writing or reading comprehension with questions.

Paper II – Economic & Social Issues + Agriculture & Rural Development

Objective (50 marks) + Descriptive (50 marks)

Economic & Social Issues (ESI)

Theme Key Topics
Nature of Indian Economy Structural & Institutional features, Economic underdevelopment, Opening up the economy, Globalisation, Economic Reforms, Privatisation
Inflation Trends in Inflation & their impact on National Economy and Individual Income
Poverty & Employment Rural & Urban poverty measurement, Poverty Alleviation Programmes of the Government
Population Trends Population Growth and Economic Development, Population Policy in India
Agriculture Characteristics/Status, Technical & Institutional changes, Agricultural performance, Issues in Food Security, Non-Institutional & Institutional agencies in rural credit
Industry Industrial & Labour Policy, Industrial performance, Regional Imbalance, Public Sector Enterprises
Rural Banking & Finance Rural banking and financial institutions in India, Reforms in the Banking/Financial sector
Globalisation Role of International Funding Institutions (IMF, World Bank), WTO, Regional Economic Cooperation
Social Structure Multiculturalism, Demographic trends, Urbanisation & Migration, Gender Issues, Joint Family System, Social Infrastructure (Education, Health, Environment)
Education & Social Justice Status & System of Education, Socio-Economic problems of illiteracy, Educational policy, Problems of SC/ST/OBC, Socio-economic programmes, Positive Discrimination, Social Movements, Human Development

Agriculture & Rural Development (ARD)

Agriculture
  • Definition, meaning & branches of Agriculture
  • Agronomy – scope, classification of field crops
  • Factors affecting crop production
  • Agro-climatic zones of India
  • Cropping systems & types
  • Problems of dry land agriculture
  • Seed production, processing & seed village
  • Meteorology & crop-weather advisory
  • Precision Farming, Organic Farming, SCI
Soil & Water Conservation
  • Major soil types of India
  • Soil fertility, fertilizers & manures
  • Soil erosion & soil conservation measures
  • Watershed management
  • Irrigation management – types & sources
  • Crop-water requirement
  • Micro-irrigation techniques
  • Command area development
Farm Engineering & Horticulture
  • Farm machinery & sources of power
  • Water harvesting structures & farm ponds
  • Agro-processing & storage (godowns, silos)
  • Plantation & Horticulture – production technology
  • Post-harvest management & value chain
Allied Sectors & Rural Development
  • Animal Husbandry – breeds, feeds, poultry
  • Mixed farming systems
  • Fisheries – resources & aquaculture
  • Forestry – social forestry, agroforestry, JFM
  • Agricultural Extension & role of KVKs
  • Climate change impact on agriculture
  • Present scenario, challenges & farm management
  • Rural development programmes & institutions

Free Study Materials & Resources

CrackTarget provides high-quality free resources tailored for NABARD Grade A aspirants. Premium courses and full mock series coming soon.

ESI & ARD Notes

Concise, exam-oriented notes covering the complete official syllabus with current data and schemes.

Coming Soon / In Progress

One-Liners & MCQs

Topic-wise one-liners and practice MCQs for rapid revision of ESI, ARD, GA and static portions.

Free on Telegram

Previous Year Papers

Memory-based and official pattern papers of previous years with detailed solutions.

Available

Mock Test Series

Full-length Phase 1 & Phase 2 mocks with sectional analysis and detailed explanations.

Launching Soon

Study Planner

Day-wise and month-wise study plans for both working professionals and full-time aspirants.

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Telegram Channel

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Smart Preparation Strategy

Phase 1 Priority Order

  1. 1
    ARD + ESI — Highest weightage (80 marks). Build conceptual clarity + current data.
  2. 2
    General Awareness — Last 6 months CA + Banking + NABARD schemes.
  3. 3
    English + Reasoning + Quant — Clear sectional cut-offs. Do not over-invest time.
  4. 4
    Computer + Decision Making — Quick revision from short notes is sufficient.

Phase 2 Focus Areas

  • Practice descriptive answers daily (ESI/ARD topics + Essay).
  • Master typing speed for English and Hindi descriptive papers.
  • Link static ARD concepts with current schemes and data (Economic Survey, Budget, NABARD Annual Report).
  • Revise government schemes related to agriculture, rural development, financial inclusion and social sector.
  • Analyse previous descriptive questions and model answers.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Phase 1 is purely qualifying. Only the marks obtained in the Merit sections (GA + ESI + ARD) are used to shortlist candidates for Phase 2. Final merit is prepared on the basis of Phase 2 + Interview scores.
Yes. For Paper II descriptive answers, candidates can type in English or Hindi (Remington and Inscript keyboards are allowed). Paper I (General English) has to be answered in English only.
Interview is usually of 50 marks. Final selection is based on the aggregate of Phase 2 (200 marks) and Interview (50 marks). A psychometric test is also conducted before the interview.
Yes, the core syllabus for ESI and ARD remains largely unchanged. NABARD provides a detailed illustrative syllabus in the notification. Minor updates in current affairs and schemes occur every year, but the foundational topics stay the same.

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