NABARD Grade A Syllabus 2025: Prelims & Mains Guide

Published on May 29, 2025
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6 Min read time

Table of Contents

NABARD stands for National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development. The NABARD Grade A exam is conducted to select Assistant Managers in different bank sectors. The exam checks the applicant’s knowledge, skills, and potential. Applicants must know the Exam Pattern and NABARD Grade A Syllabus to ace it. The Exam is conducted in two phases: Preliminary and Main. An interview follows it.

The NABARD Grade A syllabus and exam pattern are crucial in helping candidates identify their strengths and weaknesses. This blog aims to provide comprehensive insights into the NABARD Grade A syllabus and exam pattern, along with detailed coverage of significant topics for each subject to support effective preparation.

NABARD Grade A Syllabus and Exam Pattern

Highlights on NABARD Grade A Exam Pattern for 2025

The table helps identify the critical points related to the NABARD Grade A Exam.

DetailsInformation
OrganisationNational Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
Posts NameGrade A
CategorySyllabus
Selection ProcessPrelims, Mains, Interview
Types of QuestionsPrelims: Objective
Mains: Objective & Descriptive
DurationPrelims: 120 minutes
Mains: 90 minutes each paper
Negative MarkingPrelims & Mains: 0.25 marks per incorrect answer
Official Websitewww.nabard.org

NABARD Grade A Prelims Exam Pattern 2025

The examination begins with the Preliminary phase.

S.No.Name of TestNumber of QuestionsMaximum MarksTotal Time
1Test of Reasoning2020120 minutes
2English Language3030
3Computer Knowledge2020
4Quantitative Aptitude2020
5Decision Making1010
6General Awareness2020
7Eco & Soc. Issues (with focus on Rural India)4040
8Agriculture & Rural Development (Rural Focus)4040
TotalOverall200200

NABARD Grade A Mains Exam Pattern 2025

Here is the NABARD Grade A Mains (Generalist) Exam Pattern 2025 explained in detail :

PaperSubjectTypeNo. of QuestionsMarksDuration
Paper IEnglishDescriptive310090 minutes
Paper IIEconomic & Social Issues, Agriculture & Rural DevelopmentObjective + Descriptive30 (Objective) + 4 out of 6 (Descriptive)50 (Objective) + 50 (Descriptive)30 mins (Objective) + 90 mins (Descriptive)

The NABARD Grade A Mains (Generalist) Exam Pattern 2025 is outlined as follows.

PaperSubjectTypeNo. of QuestionsMarksDuration
Paper IEnglishDescriptive310090 minutes
Paper IIStream Specific PaperObjective305030 minutes
Stream Specific PaperDescriptiveAttempt 4 out of 65090 minutes

The official notice for the NABARD Grade A Exam, including details about the syllabus, exam pattern, dates, eligibility criteria, and other important information, has not yet been released but is expected soon. Candidates are advised to stay updated with the notification and remain informed about the NABARD Grade A syllabus and exam specifics.

Understanding the NABARD Grade A Syllabus for 2025

NABARD Grade A Syllabus for Prelims Exam

Mastering the NABARD Grade A syllabus is crucial for success in the exam. Aspirants are advised to prioritize essential topics first. The syllabus for Prelims includes the following subjects:

SubjectsTopics
Reasoning Ability1 Syllogism
2 Seating Arrangements and Puzzles
3 Verbal Reasoning
4 Blood Relations
5 Coding-Decoding
6 Input-Output
7 Data Sufficiency.
English1 Reading Comprehension
2 Cloze test
3 Sentence improvement
4 Detecting the mistakes
5 Complete the gaps
6 Sentence rearrangement
7 Para Jumbles
Quantitative AptitudeThe important topics include:
1 Data Interpretation
2 Quadratic Equations
3 Number Series
4 Simplification/ Approximation
5 Data Sufficiency
6 Arithmetic Questions
7 Quantity Comparisons
8 Mathematical Inequalities
Knowledge of ComputerThe important topics include:
1 Networking
2 Devices for input-output
3 Microsoft Office, DBMS
4 Internet
5 Generations and computing history
6 Shortcuts
General AwarenessThe important topics include:
1 Banking
2 Insurance
3 Current Affairs: honours and awards, latest appointments, sports, new schemes, developments in science and technology, national and international news.
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NABARD Grade A Syllabus for Mains Exam

Phase 2 of the NABARD Grade A Exam focuses on subject-specific questions, making it essential for candidates to master the NABARD Grade A syllabus. The Phase II exam includes:

  • Online Descriptive Test (Paper I)
  • Online Objective Test (Paper II)

English (Paper 1)

Below is the list of the chapters covered under the English Paper of the NABARD Grade A Syllabus Exam.

S. No.Chapter
1.Essay Writing
2.Précis writing
3.Comprehension
4.Office/Business Correspondence

Some tips to ace the English Section are:

  1. Focus on improving reading speed and comprehension.
  2. Improving Vocabulary can be helpful by reading extensively.
  3. Give grammar exercises to improve grammar.

Economics & Social Issues (Paper 2)

Economic and Social Issues is a key NABARD Grade A syllabus subject. Below are the critical chapters that candidates should focus on for preparation.

ChapterDetails
Indian Economy1. Globalization
2. Privatization
3. Indian Economic Reforms
4. Underdevelopment of the Economy
5. Opening of the Economy of India
Inflation1. Trends and Impact of Inflation on the National Economy and Income of Individuals
Agriculture1. Performance of the Agriculture
2. Agriculture in India
3. Indian food security and its issues
4. Rural credit institutions and non-institutional organizations
Population1. Performance of Agriculture
2. Agriculture in India
3. Indian food security and its issues
4. Rural credit institutions and non-institutional organizations
Employment Generation and Poverty Alleviation1. Urban and Rural
2. Poverty Measurement
3. Governmental poverty alleviation programs
Industry1. Labour and Industrial Policy
2. Industrial Results
3. Regional Inequality in India’s Industrial Development
4. Public Sector Enterprise
Economic Globalization1. World Bank and IMF
2. WTO
Education1. Social Reformations
2. Political Systems in India
positive discrimination on the side of the disadvantaged1. Social Reformations
2. Political systems in India
Social Justice1. SC and ST Problems
2. Socio-economic programs for SC, ST, and OBCs

Some tips to ace the Social and Economic Problems Section are:

  1. Have the right study material as per the syllabus
  2. Manage your time and focus on essential topics.
  3. Practice through the Question Bank.

Agriculture (Paper 2)

The NABARD Grade A syllabus includes Agriculture as a crucial subject. The detailed syllabus for Agriculture in the NABARD Grade A Exam is outlined below.

TopicDetails
Agriculture1. Definition, meaning, scope, and branches of Agronomy.
2. Field Crop Classification
3. Influencing factors for crop production
4. Agriculture Climate Zones
5. Dry Land Problems
6. Meteorology
7. Organic Farming
8. Precision Farming
Water and soil preservation1. Types of Soil
2. Fertility of Soil
3. Soil Erosion
4. Watershed management
5. Fertilizers
Water Resources1. Resources for fishing
2. Freshwater, brackish water, and marine resource management
3. Both inland and marine aquaculture
4. Biotechnology
5. Post-harvest innovation
6. Indian fisheries are essential.
7. Slang is used frequently in the seafood industry.
Agricultural engineering1. Resources for fishing
2 Freshwater, brackish water, and marine resource management
3 Both inland and marine aquaculture
4 Biotechnology
5 Post-harvest innovation
6 Indian fisheries are essential.
7 Slang is used frequently in the seafood industry.
Horticulture and Plantation1. Resources for fishing
2. Freshwater, brackish water, and marine resource management
3. Both inland and marine aquaculture
4. Biotechnology
5. Post-harvest innovation
6. Indian fisheries are essential.
7. Slang is used frequently in the seafood industry.
Livestock management1. Resources for fishing
2 Freshwater, brackish water, and marine resource management
3 Both inland and marine aquaculture
4 Biotechnology
5 Post-harvest innovation
6 Indian fisheries are essential.
7 Slang is used frequently in the seafood industry.
Fisheries1. Resources for fishing
2. Freshwater, brackish water, and marine resource management
3. Both inland and marine aquaculture
4. Biotechnology
5. Post-harvest innovation
6. Indian fisheries are essential.
7. Slang is used frequently in the seafood industry.
ForestryFarming Extension.s
1 Its significance, its function, and the criteria for evaluating extension initiatives
2. What part does Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) play in promoting agricultural technologies?
1 Its significance, its function, and the criteria for evaluating extension initiatives
2 What part does Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) play in promoting agricultural technologies?
Ecological Change and Climate1. Fundamental Forestry and Forestry Ideas
2. Silviculture, forest measurement, forest management, and forest economics principles
3. Social forestry, agroforestry, and cooperative forest management concepts
4. India’s forest legislation and policies 2015 Status of Forest Report
5. The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change’s most recent developments.
Indian agriculture’s current state and related activities1. Current patterns
2. Agriculture’s biggest issues and solutions
3. Agriculture’s ability to succeed
4. Agriculture’s production factors
5. Agriculture Marketing and Finance
6. Globalization’s effects on Indian agriculture and food security concerns
7. Concept and Farm Management Types.

NABARD Grade A Syllabus for Rural Development (Paper 2)

The NABARD Grade A syllabus includes Rural Development as an essential subject. The detailed syllabus for this section is provided below.

TopicDetails
Develop Rural Areas1 The idea of a rural area
2 The Rural Economy of India: Its Structure
3 The significance and function of India’s rural sector
4 Indian rural economy’s economic, social, and demographic characteristics
5 Causes of rural backwardness.
6 India’s rural population
7 Professional organization
8 Rural India’s farmers, agricultural workers, artisans, handicraft makers, traders, forest inhabitants, and tribes, among others
9 Changes in rural workforce and population trends
10 Issues and working conditions in remote areas
11 Problems and difficulties with the handloom
12 Roles and Activities of Panchayati Raj Institutions.
13 MGNREGA, NRLM-Aajeevika, Rural Drinking Water Programmes, Swachh Bharat, Rural Housing, PURA, and other initiatives are programs for rural development.

Interview Process for NABARD Grade A Exam

The final phase to clear the NABARD Grade A Exam is the interview round. The applicant needs to qualify for the prelims and the mains to qualify for the interview round. The weightage of the interview round is 50 marks. The Mains and Interview Scores are combined to select the candidates.

Some points to keep in mind during the interview process are:

  1. Be Confident
  2. Dress Properly
  3. Know about the Job Role
  4. Be aware of current affairs
  5. Stay calm and composed

Conclusion

The NABARD Grade A syllabus 2025 is pivotal for acing the exam. It covers various topics, emphasizing subject-specific knowledge for both Prelims and Mains. With sections like Economic and Social Issues, Agriculture and Rural Development, and General English, the syllabus is structured to assess candidates comprehensively. Aspiring candidates must focus on the detailed syllabus to excel in the exam. Notification for NABARD Grade A 2025 is expected soon, offering insights into the syllabus, exam pattern, eligibility criteria, and more. Make the most of the preparation period by prioritizing critical subjects and enhancing your understanding to secure success. Stay updated for official announcements.

Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQ’s )

Is the NABARD Grade A exam tough?

Ans. The difficulty level of the NABARD Grade A exam varies depending on the preparation level and knowledge of the topics covered in the exam. However, in general, the NABARD Grade A exam is considered to be moderately difficult.

What is the NABARD Grade A salary?

Ans. The starting monthly salary for a NABARD Grade A officer is INR 44,500, within a pay scale of INR 44,500 – 1,50,000/–. However, the total take-home salary is significantly higher once all allowances are included. Officers receive various allowances such as Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, and Transport Allowance, among others.

Are the NABARD and RBI syllabi the same?

Ans. The test patterns and syllabi for RBI Grade B and NABARD are identical. There are three steps in the RBI Grade B and NABARD exams: the preliminary exam, the main exam (online assessments), and the final interview.

Which is better, RBI Grade B or NABARD Grade A?

Ans. Agriculture and rural development are the only subjects different between the NABARD Grade A and RBI Grade B exams, which inquire about Finance and management instead. Economics and social issues are included in both the RBI Grade B and NABARD Grade A exams.

Is NABARD Grade A a Government job?

Ans. NABARD Grade A employees are entitled to all benefits provided to central government employees.

Can I crack the NABARD exam in 3 months?

Yes, you can crack the NABARD exam in 3 months with a well-planned strategy. Focus on thoroughly understanding the syllabus, covering key topics in Economic & Social Issues, Agriculture & Rural Development, and practicing descriptive writing regularly.

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