The NABARD Grade A 2026 notification is expected to be released soon, along with the Phase 1 and Phase 2 exam dates. As the ESI and ARD sections are merit-based, practicing questions from ESI (Economic and Social Issues) and ARD (Agriculture and Rural Development) is essential for candidates preparing for the NABARD Grade A exam. This practice helps in several ways, including improving exam relevance, enhancing conceptual clarity, strengthening time management, identifying weaknesses, building confidence, and improving problem-solving skills.
In this blog, we have provided details about the ESI and ARD sections, along with practice questions, correct answers, and detailed explanations.
Download the ESI and ARD Practice Questions PDF
This PDF covers important topics from Economic & Social Issues (ESI) and Agriculture & Rural Development (ARD), designed as per the latest exam pattern. Each question is followed by a clear explanation, helping you understand the concept behind the answer rather than just memorising it. The direct link to download the PDF is provided below:
What is the ESI section?
The Economic and Social Issues (ESI) section tests a candidate’s awareness and understanding of key national and global economic and social problems, policies, and programs that impact rural development. Key topics include:
- Indian Economy
- Economic Reforms in India
- Government schemes and programs
- Poverty alleviation
- Employment generation
- Social sector initiatives (education, health, gender issues, etc.)
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- International Financial Institutions like IMF, World Bank, WTO
Sample ESI Practice Questions
It is important to practice questions if you are preparing for the exam. Check out some of the sample questions below:
ESI Practice Quiz
Q1: Which of the following is NOT a Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) adopted by the United Nations?
Q2: The Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative was launched in response to which of the following challenges?
Q3: The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) guarantees how many days of wage employment in a financial year to rural households?
Q 4: Which of the following organizations is responsible for conducting the Global Hunger Index?
Q5: Which of the following is a primary objective of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)?
Q6: Which of the following government schemes is primarily aimed at improving maternal health?
Q7: According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which of the following best describes “inclusive growth”?
Q8. The “Laffer Curve” in economics describes the relationship between:
Q9. Under the “Mission Vatsalya”, the government provides support for:
Q10. What is the minimum number of days of work guaranteed per year under the “MGNREGA” for every rural household?
Quiz Summary
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What is the ARD section?
The Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) section assesses the candidate’s knowledge of agricultural practices, rural economy, and development programs aimed at improving rural livelihoods.
Key topics include:
- Agriculture basics: crop production, horticulture, irrigation techniques
- Soil and water conservation
- Agricultural economy
- Animal husbandry, fisheries, and forestry
- Rural development initiatives
- Micro-finance and self-help groups (SHGs)
- Agribusiness and marketing
Sample ARD Practice Questions
It is important to practice questions if you are preparing for the exam. Check out some of the sample questions below and attempt the quiz for free.
ARD Practice Quiz
Q1: Which crop is known as the “King of Pulses” in India?
Q2: Which of the following is a Rabi crop in India?
Q3: The Blue Revolution is related to the growth and development of which sector?
Q4: Which of the following is the largest contributor to India’s agricultural GDP?
Q5. Which of the following green manure crop contains the highest amount of nitrogen?
Q6: What is the term used for farming that integrates crop production and livestock to maximize efficiency and minimize waste?
Q7: Which of the following is a major cash crop grown in the coastal regions of India?
Q8: In the context of water conservation, what is the purpose of watershed management?
Q9: Which of the following is a Kharif crop?
Q10: Which of the following breeds is an indigenous breed of cattle in India?
Quiz Summary
What is the NABARD Grade A exam pattern?
The NABARD Grade A Exam Pattern varies across the RDBS, and Legal streams. For the RDBS and Legal posts, the selection process comprises the Preliminary Exam, Mains Exam, Psychometric Test, and Interview. The Preliminary Exam is an objective paper covering Reasoning, English, Computer Knowledge, Quantitative Aptitude, Decision Making, General Awareness, Economic & Social Issues, and Agriculture & Rural Development.
The Mains Exam includes both descriptive and objective papers based on the selected discipline. Candidates who qualify the Mains must appear for a Psychometric Test followed by a Personal Interview.
| Selection Stages | Exam Details |
| Preliminary Exam | Objective paper covering: Reasoning, English, Computer Knowledge, Quantitative Aptitude, Decision Making, General Awareness, Economic & Social Issues (ESI), Agriculture & Rural Development (ARD) |
| Mains Exam | Descriptive and objective papers based on the selected discipline |
| Psychometric Test | Qualifying test to assess personality traits and suitability |
| Interview | Personal interview to assess overall suitability |
What topics are included in the NABARD Grade A phase 1 and 2 ARD syllabus?
The candidates must prepare for both Phase 1 & 2 simultaneously for NABARD Grade A ARD as the topics are same but the difficulty level changes.
| Main Topics | Subtopics / Key Areas |
| Agriculture | • Definition, meaning, and branches of agriculture • Agronomy – definition, meaning, and scope • Classification of field crops • Factors affecting crop production • Agro-climatic zones • Types of cropping systems • Dry land problems • Seed production & processing • Seed village • Meteorology – weather parameters, crop-weather advisory • Precision farming • System of crop intensification • Organic farming |
| Soil and Water Conservation | • Major soil types • Soil fertility • Fertilizers • Soil erosion and conservation • Watershed management |
| Water Resource Management | • Irrigation management • Types and sources of irrigation • Crop-water requirement • Command area development • Water conservation techniques • Micro irrigation • Irrigation pumps • Major, medium & minor irrigation projects |
| Agri & Farm Engineering | • Power and machinery used in farms • Power sources – animal, human, electrical, mechanical, wind, biomass, solar, biofuels • Water harvesting structures • Farm ponds • Agro processing • Modified & controlled storage • Storage of perishable foods • Bins, godowns & grain silos |
| Horticulture & Plantation | • Meaning, definition & branches • Production technology & agronomic practices of horticultural and plantation crops • Value & supply chain management • Post-harvest management |
| Animal Husbandry | • Role of farm animals in Indian economy • Animal husbandry practices in India • Common livestock terminologies • Utility classification of cattle breeds • Common fodders & feeds – types and utility • Poultry industry and production in India • Mixed farming – concept & socio-economic importance • Relationship between livestock, poultry, and agriculture |
| Fisheries | • Fisheries resources and management – marine, freshwater & brackish water • Aquaculture – inland & marine • Biotechnology in fisheries • Post-harvest technology • Importance of fisheries in India • Common fish production terms |
| Forestry | • Basic concepts of forest & forestry • Management, mensuration & forest economics • Principles of silviculture • Agroforestry, social forestry & joint forest management • Forest legislation & policies in India • State of Forest Report 2015 • Ministry of Forest, Environment & Climate Change – functions & updates |
| Agriculture Extension | • Role and importance of agricultural extension • Evaluation methods of extension programmes • Role of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in technology dissemination |
| Ecology & Climate Change | • Ecology and relevance to human life • Sustainable resource management & conservation • Climate change – causes & greenhouse gases (GHGs) • Adaptation vs mitigation • Impact on agriculture and rural livelihoods • Carbon credits, IPCC, UNFCCC, CoP meetings • Funding mechanisms for climate projects • Indian initiatives – SAPCC, NAPCC, INDC |
| Present Scenario of Agriculture & Allied Activities | • Recent trends in agriculture • Major challenges and solutions • Measures to enhance viability • Factors of production in agriculture • Agricultural finance & marketing • Globalization & its impact on Indian agriculture • Food security concerns • Farm management – concept & types |
| Rural Development | • Concept of rural areas and rural economy • Economic, social & demographic importance • Causes of rural backwardness • Rural population and workforce trends • Occupational structure – farmers, labourers, artisans, traders, forest dwellers, etc. • Issues of rural labour and handlooms • Panchayati Raj Institutions – functions & working • Key rural schemes – MGNREGA, NRLM (Aajeevika), Rural Drinking Water, Swachh Bharat, Rural Housing, PURA, and other programmes |
What is the ESI syllabus for the NABARD Grade A phase 1 and phase 2 exam?
The Economic & Social Issues (ESI) section is included in both Phase I (Prelims) and Phase II (Mains) for all streams. It is a merit-based section in Prelims and forms part of Paper II in Mains, which is divided equally between objective and descriptive questions. In the Mains exam, the level of questions is more difficult.
| Main Topics | Subtopics / Key Areas |
| Indian Economy and Its Nature | • Institutional and structural features of the Indian economy • Economic underdevelopment • Opening up of the Indian economy • Globalization and its effects • Economic reforms in India • Privatization and liberalization |
| Inflation | • Types and trends of inflation • Causes and control measures • Impact of inflation on individual income and the national economy |
| Employment Generation & Poverty Alleviation in India | • Employment trends in urban and rural areas • Poverty measurement methods • Major poverty alleviation programmes of the Government of India |
| Population Trends | • Population growth and its impact on economic development • Population policy in India • Demographic transition and related challenges |
| Agriculture | • Characteristics and current status of Indian agriculture • Technical and institutional changes • Agricultural performance • Food security issues in India • Rural credit – institutional and non-institutional agencies |
| Industry | • Industrial and labour policies • Industrial performance and growth • Regional imbalances in industrial development • Role of public sector enterprises |
| Financial Institutions and Rural Banking in India | • Structure and role of financial institutions • Rural banking systems • Financial sector and banking reforms in India |
| Economic Globalization | • Role of international funding institutions • IMF, World Bank, and WTO • Regional economic cooperation and integration |
| Social Structure in India | • Multiculturalism and diversity • Demographic trends and urbanization • Migration and its social impact • Gender issues • Joint family system • Social infrastructure – education, health, and environment |
| Education | • Status and structure of the education system in India • Problems of illiteracy and socio-economic implications • Educational relevance and wastage • Educational policies and reforms in India |
| Social Justice | • Issues of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) • Socio-economic programmes for SCs, STs, and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) • Measures and policies for promoting social equity |
| Positive Discrimination / Upliftment of Underprivileged Classes | • Steps taken to support underprivileged and weaker sections • Social movements and their significance • Indian political system and democratic values • Human development and social welfare • Current economic and social issues in India |
FAQs
Ans. The NABARD Grade A Phase 1 exam 2025 scheduled to be held on 20th December 2025.
Ans: It tests awareness of national and global economic and social issues affecting rural development.
Ans. It assesses knowledge of agriculture, rural economy, and development programs for rural livelihoods.
Ans. Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Forestry, Soil & Water Conservation, Rural Development, and Agribusiness.
Ans. The topics remain the same, but the questions in Phase 2 (Mains) are more difficult.
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