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NABARD Grade A Syllabus 2026 includes Phase 1 subjects like Reasoning, English, Quantitative Aptitude, Computer Knowledge, Decision Making, General Awareness, ESI, and ARD. Phase 2 consists of ESI, ARD/Stream-Specific Subject, and Descriptive English. Check the complete topic-wise syllabus and exam pattern here.
The NABARD Grade A Syllabus 2026 covers Phase 1, Phase 2, a Psychometric Test, and an Interview. Phase 1 includes Reasoning, English, Quantitative Aptitude, Computer Knowledge, Decision Making, General Awareness, Economic & Social Issues (ESI), and Agriculture & Rural Development (ARD). Among these, only GA, ESI, and ARD marks are considered for Phase 2 shortlisting.
Phase 2 consists of ESI, ARD, or a stream-specific subject, and Descriptive English. Key topics include banking, economics, agriculture, rural development, current affairs, essay writing, précis, and letter writing. Final selection is based on Phase 2 performance and the Interview, making ESI, ARD, and current affairs crucial for success.
Before starting the NABARD Grade A Syllabus 2026, candidates should understand the complete recruitment process. The selection process consists of four stages: Phase 1 (Prelims), Phase 2 (Mains), Psychometric Test, and Interview. Candidates must qualify at each stage to move to the next round. However, not all stages contribute to the final merit list.
Below provides a complete overview of the NABARD Grade A 2026 selection process, exam stages, and their role in final selection:
| Stage | Purpose | Qualifying Nature | Counted in Final Merit? |
| Phase 1 (Prelims) | Screening Test | Yes | No |
| Phase 2 (Mains) | Subject Knowledge & Descriptive Assessment | Yes | Yes |
| Psychometric Test | Personality Assessment | Mandatory | No |
| Interview | Personal Assessment | Yes | Yes |
Phase 1 consists of 8 sections carrying a total of 200 marks. The first five sections are qualifying in nature, while marks obtained in General Awareness, ESI, and ARD are considered for shortlisting to Phase 2.
| S. No. | Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration | Nature |
| 1 | Reasoning Ability | 20 | 20 | Composite Time: 120 Minutes | Qualifying |
| 2 | English Language | 30 | 30 | Composite Time: 120 Minutes | Qualifying |
| 3 | Computer Knowledge | 20 | 20 | Composite Time: 120 Minutes | Qualifying |
| 4 | Quantitative Aptitude | 20 | 20 | Composite Time: 120 Minutes | Qualifying |
| 5 | Decision Making | 10 | 10 | Composite Time: 120 Minutes | Qualifying |
| 6 | General Awareness | 20 | 20 | 20 Minutes | Merit |
| 7 | Economic & Social Issues (ESI) | 40 | 40 | 35 Minutes | Merit |
| 8 | Agriculture & Rural Development (ARD) | 40 | 40 | 35 Minutes | Merit |
| Total | 200 Questions | 200 Marks | 210 Minutes (Approx.) | — | — |
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The NABARD Grade A Phase 1 exam includes five qualifying subjects that test a candidate’s aptitude, reasoning, language proficiency, computer awareness, and decision-making skills. Although these sections do not contribute to the final merit list, candidates must secure the minimum qualifying marks to remain eligible for the next stage of the selection process.
| Subject | Important Topics |
| Reasoning Ability | Puzzles & Seating Arrangements (Linear, Circular, Floor-Based, Box Puzzles), Alphanumeric Series, Syllogism, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Order & Ranking, Direction & Distance, Data Sufficiency, Machine Input-Output, Inequalities (Direct & Coded), Verbal Reasoning |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Arithmetic: Percentage, Ratio & Proportion, Profit & Loss, Discount, Simple & Compound Interest, Average, Ages, Mixture & Alligation, Time & Work, Time, Speed & Distance.
Other Topics: Data Interpretation (Bar Graph, Line Graph, Pie Chart, Table DI, Caselet DI), Number Series, Quadratic Equations, Simplification, Approximation, Quantity Comparison, Data Sufficiency, Mensuration (Area, Volume, Surface Area) |
| English Language | Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Para Jumble, Error Spotting, Sentence Rearrangement, Fillers, Idioms & Phrases, Word Swap, Misspelled Words, Sentence Improvement, One Word Substitution, Parts of Speech, Subject-Verb Agreement, Tenses, Articles, Modals, Conditional Sentences, Active & Passive Voice |
| Computer Knowledge | Computer Fundamentals, Computer Generations, Input & Output Devices, Hardware & Software, Memory (RAM, ROM, Cache), Operating Systems, Networking Basics (LAN, WAN, MAN), Internet & Email, MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), DBMS, Cyber Security, Computer Viruses, Shortcut Keys, Number Systems |
| Decision Making | Basics of Decision Making, Types of Decisions, Decision-Making Process, Factors Affecting Decisions, Ethical Decision Making, Assumption-Based Questions, Situational Judgement Questions, Case Studies, Problem-Solving Scenarios |
The Merit Section of NABARD Grade A plays a crucial role in shortlisting candidates for Phase 2 and determining final selection. Candidates should focus particularly on General Awareness, Economic & Social Issues (ESI), and Agriculture & Rural Development (ARD), as these subjects carry significant weightage in both Phase 1 and Phase 2.
| Topic Area | Important Topics |
| Current Affairs | National and International Events (Last 6–8 Months) |
| Banking & Finance | Banking Awareness, Financial Markets, Financial Inclusion |
| RBI Updates | Monetary Policy, Circulars, Reports, Regulatory Updates |
| NABARD | NABARD Schemes, Funds, Initiatives, Functions |
| Government Schemes | Agriculture, Rural Development, Social Welfare Schemes |
| Economy | Union Budget, Economic Survey, GDP, Inflation |
| Agriculture | Agriculture and Rural Development News |
| Miscellaneous | Awards & Honours, Sports, Science & Technology |
| International Affairs | International Organisations, Important Summits & Reports |
| Topic | Important Areas |
| Basic Economics | GDP, GNP, NNP, Economic Growth, Economic Development, HDI, SDGs |
| Indian Economy | Pre-1991 Economy, Post-1991 Economy, LPG Reforms |
| Public Finance | Fiscal Policy, Union Budget, Fiscal Deficit, Taxation, GST |
| Inflation | CPI, WPI, Causes and Effects of Inflation |
| Poverty & Unemployment | Poverty Measurement, Employment Generation Schemes |
| Social Sector | Education, Healthcare, Gender Issues, Social Development |
| Banking & Finance | RBI, Monetary Policy, Financial Inclusion |
| International Institutions | IMF, World Bank, WTO, ADB |
| Rural Economy | Rural Credit, Microfinance, SHGs, NABARD |
| Agriculture & Development | MSP, Food Security, Land Reforms, Kisan Credit Card (KCC) |
| Topic Area | Major Topics |
| Agriculture Fundamentals | Agronomy, Cropping Systems, Agro-Climatic Zones |
| Soil Science | Soil Types, Soil Fertility, Soil Conservation |
| Irrigation | Irrigation Systems, Water Resource Management, Water Conservation |
| Agricultural Engineering | Farm Machinery, Farm Power, Post-Harvest Technology |
| Horticulture | Fruits, Vegetables, Floriculture, Plantation Crops |
| Animal Husbandry | Livestock Management, Dairy Farming, Poultry |
| Fisheries | Inland Fisheries, Marine Fisheries, Aquaculture |
| Forestry | Agroforestry, Joint Forest Management (JFM), Forest Policies |
| Agricultural Extension | KVKs, ATMA, Extension Education Programmes |
| Climate Change | Carbon Credits, NAPCC, UNFCCC, COP Summits |
| Indian Agriculture | Agricultural Marketing, Agricultural Finance, Food Security |
| Rural Development | Panchayati Raj, MGNREGA, NRLM, Jal Jeevan Mission, PMAY-G |
Phase 2 is the main examination stage and plays a crucial role in the final selection process, as its marks are considered for preparing the merit list. The exam consists of objective and descriptive papers covering Economic & Social Issues (ESI), Agriculture & Rural Development (ARD) or stream-specific subjects, and Descriptive English.
All Phase 2 marks are counted for the final merit list.
| Paper | Subject | Type | Marks | Duration |
| Paper I | Economic & Social Issues (ESI) | Objective | 100 | 90 Minutes |
| Paper II | ARD / Stream-Specific Subject | Objective | 100 | 90 Minutes |
| Paper III | Descriptive English | Descriptive | 100 | 90 Minutes |
| Total | — | — | 300 Marks | 270 Minutes |
The Descriptive English paper carries 100 marks and evaluates a candidate’s writing, comprehension, and communication skills. Questions are generally asked from essay writing, précis writing, and letter writing based on current and relevant topics.
| Component | Expected Topics |
| Essay Writing | Economy, Agriculture, Rural Development, Governance, Technology, Environment |
| Precis Writing | Summarisation of a Passage |
| Letter Writing | Formal, Business, Administrative and Semi-Formal Letters |
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The subject for Paper II in Phase 2 varies according to the stream selected by the candidate while applying for NABARD Grade A. Candidates should prepare the syllabus of their respective discipline, as questions are asked from stream-specific topics.
| Stream | Subject |
| RDBS General | Agriculture & Rural Development |
| Finance | Finance & Management |
| Development Economics | Development Economics |
| Statistics | Statistics & Data Analysis |
| Computer / IT | Information Technology |
| Agriculture Engineering | Agriculture Engineering |
| Plantation & Horticulture | Plantation & Horticulture |
| Animal Husbandry | Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science |
| Fisheries | Fisheries Science |
| Social Work / Land Development | Rural Development & Social Work |
The Psychometric Test is a qualifying online assessment designed to evaluate a candidate’s personality traits, leadership potential, decision-making ability, and suitability for a career at NABARD.
| Particular | Details |
| Purpose | Assess personality, leadership, adaptability, and behavioural traits |
| Nature | Qualifying |
| Mode | Online Assessment |
| Marks | Not counted in final merit |
The interview carries 25 marks. The interview generally focuses on:
Candidates can download the NABARD Grade A Syllabus 2026 PDF to get the complete list of topics for Phase 1 and Phase 2 examinations in one place. The syllabus PDF helps in understanding the exam pattern, subject-wise topics, and planning an effective preparation strategy.
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The NABARD Grade A Syllabus 2026 includes Phase 1 subjects such as Reasoning, English, Quantitative Aptitude, Computer Knowledge, Decision Making, General Awareness, ESI, and ARD along with Phase 2 papers.
Yes. Although Phase 1 marks are not added to the final merit list, candidates must qualify and score well in merit sections to reach Phase 2.
Economic & Social Issues (ESI) and Agriculture & Rural Development (ARD) are the most important subjects because they appear in both Phase 1 and Phase 2.
Yes. The Phase 2 syllabus includes Descriptive English consisting of Essay Writing, Precis Writing, and Letter Writing.
Candidates can check the complete subject-wise syllabus and topic-wise syllabus for Phase 1 and Phase 2 in the official NABARD notification and detailed syllabus guides.
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