NABARD Grade A 25th January 2026 Analysis, Exam Trend

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The NABARD Grade A exam is one of the most anticipated exams for candidates aspiring to work in the agriculture and rural development sectors of India. This blog provides a detailed NABARD Grade A exam analysis for the years 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026, covering various aspects such as difficulty level, good attempts, and a section-wise breakdown.

NABARD Grade A Phase 2 Exam Analysis 2025

The NABARD Grade A Phase 2 exam has been scheduled to be held on 25th January 2026. Aspirants who have cleared the Phase 1 exam will appear for this exam. We have provided the analysis based on the reviews shared by aspirants who have appeared for the Phase 2 exam.

NABARD Grade A 2026 Phase 2 Exam Analysis

The NABARD Grade A Phase 2 Exam 2025-26 is expected to be balanced and syllabus-focused, with a strong connection to agriculture, rural development, government schemes, and economic issues. Since the exam is scheduled for 25 January 2026, the actual difficulty level and question distribution will be updated after the exam.

SectionExpected Level
English DescriptiveTBA
ESI & ARD DescriptiveTBA
ESI & ARD MCQsTBA
Overall PaperTBA

Also Check: NABARD Grade A Phase 2 Information Handout

What type of questions can be expected in the English descriptive paper?

The English Descriptive paper is expected to remain scoring and analytical, focusing on current issues linked with agriculture, rural economy, social development, and technology. NABARD usually avoids abstract topics and prefers application-oriented themes.

ComponentMarksStatus
Essay (1 out of 4)40TBA
Precis Writing30TBA
Letter Writing30TBA
Total100TBA

What topics were asked in the ESI and ARD descriptive papers?

The ESI & ARD Descriptive section is expected to be direct, syllabus-aligned, and policy-driven. Questions are usually framed around government initiatives, rural institutions, credit systems, and agricultural practices. The topic-wise details will be updated on 25th January 2026 based on the feedback shared by the aspirants.

What topics were asked in the ESI and ARD objective paper?

The MCQs are expected to be concept-based with updated data. Previous year trends suggest that NABARD may repeat topics, but with new data and re-framed options. Paragraph-based questions may also continue. The topic-wise details will be updated on 25th January 2026 based on the feedback shared by the aspirants.

NABARD Grade A 2025-26 Phase 1 Exam Analysis

The NABARD Grade A Prelims exam 2025 is scheduled to be held on 20th December 2025. As the exam concludes, candidates eagerly await the analysis to assess the difficulty level and evaluate their performance. According to aspirant feedback, the overall difficulty level of the NABARD Grade A Phase 1 exam was moderate.

This exam consists of various sections, including Reasoning, English Language, Computer Knowledge, Quantitative Aptitude, Decision Making, General Awareness, Economic & Social Issues, and Agriculture & Rural Development. In this section, we will analyze the exam conducted in both shifts, highlighting the key aspects of each section.

NABARD Grade A Exam Analysis – Difficulty Level

The difficulty level of the exam is a crucial factor that determines how well candidates can perform. Based on the insights gathered from the candidates, we have updated the table below with the section-wise difficulty levels. This will help in understanding which sections were more challenging and which were relatively easier.

Difficulty level of the paper along with details of the Merit section’s difficulty level.
Name of the TestDifficulty Level
Test of ReasoningModerate
English LanguageEasy to Moderate
Computer KnowledgeModerate
Quantitative AptitudeEasy to Moderate
Decision MakingEasy to Moderate
General AwarenessModerate
Economic & Social Issues (with a focus on Rural India)Moderate to Difficult
Agriculture & Rural Development (with emphasis on Rural India)Moderate to Difficult
OverallModerate
Difficulty level of the Merit section of the NABARD Grade A Phase 1 2025 exam.

NABARD Grade A Exam Analysis – Good Attempts

Good attempts refer to the number of questions that candidates should ideally answer correctly to be in a safe position. While it’s essential to aim for high accuracy, good attempts provide a general benchmark to help candidates understand where they stand. However, it is important to note that good attempts may vary from the actual cutoff. We will update the table below with the good attempts for each section based on the feedback received.

Name of the TestGood Attempts
Test of Reasoning13 – 15
English Language16 – 17
Computer Knowledge15 – 16
Quantitative Aptitude12 – 14
Decision Making6 – 7
General Awareness14 – 16
Economic & Social Issues (with a focus on Rural India)22 – 25
Agriculture & Rural Development (with emphasis on Rural India)21 – 23
Overall119 – 133

NABARD Grade A Exam Analysis – Section Wise

The NABARD Grade A Prelims exam consists of 8 sections, each playing a crucial role in the overall assessment. Here, we provide a detailed section-wise analysis of the exam conducted.

NABARD Grade A Exam Analysis 2025 – Reasoning

The Reasoning section carries 20 marks out of 200. It typically includes questions on puzzles, seating arrangements, syllogisms, blood relations, and other logical reasoning topics. Questions asked in the NABARD Grade A exam are as follows:

  • Puzzle (Box Based)
  • Simple Seating (Circle)
  • Linear
  • Syllogism (only & few)
  • Order Ranking
  • Seating Arrangement (Double Row)

NABARD Grade A Exam Analysis – English

The English Language section carries 30 marks out of 200. This section generally covers topics like reading comprehension, cloze test, error detection, sentence rearrangement, and vocabulary-based questions. Questions asked in the NABARD Grade A exam are as follows:

  • Wrong Spelt
  • Error Detection
  • Sentence Rearrangement
  • Reading Comprehension

NABARD Grade A Exam Analysis 2025 – Computer Knowledge

The Computer Knowledge section accounts for 20 marks out of 200. This section includes basic computer questions related to hardware, software, the internet, and other fundamental computer concepts. The analysis will be provided based on the feedback received from candidates.

NABARD Grade A Exam Analysis – Decision Making

The Decision Making section is allocated 10 marks out of 200. This section tests the candidate’s ability to make decisions in various scenarios. Questions asked in the NABARD Grade A exam are as follows:

  • Economic Man Model
  • Bias
  • Non-programmed Decision
  • Creative Decision Making – Last Step
  • Job Description & Job Specification
  • Hedging

NABARD Grade A Exam Analysis 2025 – Quantitative Aptitude

The Quantitative Aptitude section carries 20 marks out of 200. It usually includes questions on data interpretation, arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and other mathematical topics. Questions asked in the NABARD Grade A exam are as follows:

  • Quadratic Equation
  • Wrong Number Series
  • Arithmetic
  • Data Interpretation (Line & Table)

NABARD Grade A Exam Analysis – General Awareness

The General Awareness section is worth 20 marks out of 200. This section covers current affairs, general knowledge, and banking awareness. Questions asked in the NABARD Grade A exam are as follows:

  • New Nation to join ASEAN
  • Bandhavgarh National Park – MP
  • Term of Panchayat
  • ISRO – Established
  • IPCC – When was it formed
  • National Horticulture
  • Fortified Rice
  • World Milk Day
  • Ajay Warrior – 8th Edition (India & UK)
  • Men’s ICC – Ambassador
  • Retirement Committee Head
  • Commitment to Development Index – Rank
  • Gender Gap Index Ranking
  • Report: Which is the most populous city
  • City with the highest population
  • Joined the UN Water Convention – Bangladesh
  • ASEAN – New member
  • Methane emission source
  • APEDA (maximum export)
  • Commonwealth Games 2030

NABARD Grade A Exam Analysis 2025 – ESI

The Economic & Social Issues (ESI) section, with a focus on Rural India, is one of the most critical sections, accounting for 40 marks out of 200. This section includes questions related to the Indian economy, social issues, and rural development policies. Some of the topics from which most questions were asked are listed below. Once we receive the complete analysis, we will update the details as per this year’s exam.

  • 4-5 Questions from Budget
  • Women Empowerment
  • 15-20 Questions from Schemes such as PM Janman, PMAY, PMGSY, MGNREGA, MIDH, PMFBY, e-NAM, PMMSY
  • Forest Conservation Act
  • NABARD-UNFCCC
NABARD Grade A Phase 1 ESI and ARD topics from which questions were asked.

NABARD Grade A Exam Analysis – ARD

The Agriculture & Rural Development (ARD) section, also worth 40 marks out of 200, focuses on topics related to agriculture and rural development. It is a key section for candidates aspiring to work in NABARD. Questions asked in the NABARD Grade A exam are as follows:

  • Bovine
  • NHB Head Quarter
  • Smother Crop
  • Forest Policy
  • Wood
  • MGNREGA Card Validity
  • Wallowing
  • SRR
  • Egg laying peak period
  • Macronutrient
  • Water retention capacity
  • Erosion
  • Planting pattern
  • Govardhan – R stands for
  • IPCC formation
  • IUCN
ShiftsDetailed Exam Analysis
Shift 1NABARD Grade A Exam Analysis 20th December Shift 1
Shift 2NABARD Grade A Exam Analysis 20th December Shift 2

NABARD Grade A Previous Year Exam Analysis

Understanding the previous year exam trends is crucial for cracking NABARD Grade A. It helps aspirants decode the difficulty level, section-wise weightage, and evolving focus areas of the exam.

In this section, we have provided a detailed Phase 1 exam analysis of NABARD Grade A 2024, covering overall difficulty, section-wise performance, and key takeaways based on candidate feedback and paper review.

NABARD Grade A phase 1 exam analysis 2024

The NABARD Grade A Phase 1 Exam 2024 was conducted on 1st September 2024 in two shifts and the paper was easy to moderate in difficulty. Compared to the last two years, the paper was more predictable, concept-driven, and favourable for candidates who focused on repeated topics, government schemes, and current affairs.

This detailed analysis covers section-wise difficulty level, key topics asked, and good attempts, helping aspirants assess their performance realistically.

SectionTotal QuestionsGood Attempts (Safe Range)Difficulty Level
ARD (Agriculture & Rural Development)4030–35Very Easy
ESI (Economic & Social Issues)4030–40Easy to Moderate
GA (General Awareness)4022–28Moderate to Tough
Quantitative Aptitude2014–17Easy
Reasoning Ability2013–16Moderate
Decision Making107–9Easy
English Language4026–32Moderate
Computer Awareness2014–17Easy
Overall230156–181Moderate

How was the ARD (Agriculture & Rural development) section?

The ARD section was one of the easiest and most scoring sections in the last five years. Questions were mostly direct, factual, and already covered in marathon sessions and MCQ batches. There were no confusing or unexpected questions, and the paper clearly focused on core concepts rather than deep theoretical understanding. Options were framed in a way that allowed educated guessing.

  • No confusing or out-of-the-box questions
  • Heavy repetition from previous-year questions
  • Concept-based questions over theoretical depth
  • Options supported logical elimination
AreaTopics asked
Irrigation techniquesSurge irrigation (advanced form of furrow irrigation), Subsurface drip irrigation (low pressure, high efficiency)
Extension educationMethod demonstration vs Result demonstration, very limited scope with only core concepts
Horticulture & floricultureVernalization, Pre-cooling in cut flowers, Seedlessness in grapes (dominant gene)
Animal husbandryHighest milk-yielding buffalo – Murrah, Weaning, Galactopoiesis, Let-down of milk
Agricultural engineeringPTO (Power Take-Off), Tractor attachments, Egg inversion during hatching
Soil scienceAlluvial soil (largest area in India), Vertisols (low percentage but conceptually important)
Seeds & breedingSeed chain (Nucleus → Breeder → Foundation → Certified), Cryopreservation using liquid nitrogen
Forestry & environmentForest Conservation Act, 1980, Artificial ecosystems (crop fields)

How was the ESI (Economic & Social issues) section?

The ESI section was easy to moderate and largely current-affairs oriented. Most questions were directly linked to government schemes, PIB updates, and budget-related announcements. Candidates with regular current affairs preparation found this section comfortable.

  • Strong focus on schemes and policy updates
  • Factual questions with limited analytical demand
  • Static concepts linked with current relevance

New trend noticed – For the first time, multiple questions were asked from RBI circulars and banking-related current affairs. While this surprised some candidates, it was still within the syllabus scope, especially in areas related to rural and agricultural finance.

AreaDetails covered
Government schemes & initiativesMission LiFE, PM Janman Yojana, PM Matsya Sampada Yojana, Eat Right India, National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), PURA Scheme (latest state: Odisha)
Budget & economic updatesEthanol blending target (20% by 2025–26), E-voucher scheme for student loans (up to ₹10 lakh), Venture Capital Fund for space economy, Credit Risk Guarantee for affordable housing
Banking & financeMPC policy rates (6.75%), Bulk deposit threshold increase, RIDF fund, PSL shortfall deposits, Single-branch FFMC net-owned fund requirement
Labour & social sectorMGNREGA (100 days), Chronology of labour laws, Child Labour Act enforcement portal (PENCIL)

Which topics were covered in the GA (General Awareness) section?

The GA section was the toughest among all sections, not because of difficulty, but due to its unorthodox structure. Many questions that candidates expected in ESI appeared in GA instead. Banking and finance questions dominated, while traditional static one-liners were fewer.

  • Government schemes shifted from ESI to GA
  • Heavy focus on banking and finance
  • Fewer traditional static GK questions
AreasTopics asked
StandardsISO 31000 (risk management)
Global businessTop global companies like NVIDIA
Finance basicsMutual fund NAV frequency
EnvironmentIUCN Red List categories
International bodiesInternational Solar Alliance members
InfrastructureMajor ports under Green Tech transition
Culture & awardsFilm awards and cultural current affairs

Which topics were covered in the Quantitative Aptitude section?

The Quantitative Aptitude section was straightforward and scoring. Questions were familiar, calculation-based, and well within the expected difficulty level. No major complaints were reported by candidates.

  • Data Interpretation – 2 sets
  • Simplification
  • Missing number series
  • Ratio, mixture & allegation
  • Profit & loss
  • Time & work
  • Income-expenditure

Which topics were covered in the Reasoning Ability section?

The Reasoning Ability section followed the standard NABARD exam pattern. The difficulty level remained similar to previous years, making it manageable for candidates with regular practice.

  • Puzzles (multiple variables)
  • Seating arrangement
  • Blood relations
  • Alpha-numeric series
  • Logical reasoning

Which topics were covered in the Decision Making section?

The Decision Making section was easy and predictable. Questions were direct, concept-based, and involved minimal ambiguity. Candidates with clarity in basic management and ethics concepts found this section scoring.

  • Organizational decisions
  • Managerial decision-making
  • Sunk cost bias
  • Rule of thumb
  • Policy and ethics-based scenarios

Which topics were covered in the English Language section?

The English Language section was moderate and scoring. The paper focused on standard comprehension and grammar-based questions without tricky vocabulary.

  • Reading comprehension: 9 questions
  • Sentence rearrangement
  • Phrase replacement
  • Error detection
  • Fill in the blanks

Which topics were covered in the Computer Awareness section?

The Computer Awareness section focused on basic concepts. Questions were simple and direct, making it an easy scoring area for candidates with fundamental knowledge.

  • Operating systems (UNIX)
  • Software & hardware full forms
  • MS Word shortcuts
  • File extensions (PNG)
  • Password security
  • Networking basics

What was the overall level of the NABARD Grade A Phase 2 exam 2024?

The NABARD Grade A Phase 2 Exam 2024 was moderate to slightly above moderate in nature. The paper tested not only static knowledge but also conceptual clarity, recent data awareness, and application-based understanding. Candidates who prepared from previous year questions, government schemes, and core ARD–ESI topics found the paper manageable. Question selection played a crucial role, especially in the descriptive papers.

SectionDifficulty LevelNature of Questions
English DescriptiveModerateTopic-based, ARD–ESI linked
ESI & ARD DescriptiveModerateDirect, syllabus-oriented
ESI & ARD MCQsModerate to Above ModerateData + scheme based
Overall PaperModerateSmart attempt mattered

What were the questions asked in the English descriptive paper?

The English Descriptive paper was scoring for candidates who could link social, economic, agriculture, and development themes. There was no abstract creativity asked. Most topics had a clear ARD and ESI connection, and essays required structured, example-based answers.

ComponentMarksKey Change
Essay (1 out of 4)40Word limit increased to 500–520
Precis30Social media & development theme
Letter Writing30Practical & official topics
Total100Same structure as previous years

Essay topics asked

  • How can youth contribute to India’s progress in education, entrepreneurship, and social initiatives?
  • How access to credit can increase sustainable farming practices in India?
  • How integrating fish farming with agricultural crops enhances productivity and income?
  • Looking deep into nature, everything happens for the better (philosophical)?

Key observation:

  • Essay 1 was open-ended and safe
  • Essay 2 & 3 were technical and ARD-heavy
  • Essay 4 was risky but high scoring if written well

Precis topic

  • Role of short video content in social media marketing
  • Focus on Gen Z, digital platforms, and communication trends

Letter writing topics

Letter TypeTopic
Official ComplaintPoor condition of roads to Municipal Corporation
Grievance LetterFaulty electronic item delivered
Official RequestExtension of time to submit article

How was the ESI and ARD descriptive paper structured?

The ESI & ARD Descriptive paper was very syllabus-aligned and predictable. Most questions were directly linked to previous year trends, answer writing practice, and government initiatives. Candidates who practiced structured answers with headings and examples had a clear advantage.

Compulsory 15-mark questions

QuestionCore Area
Post-harvest management, value addition & supply chain in horticultureARD
Financial inclusion transformation (2014–2024)ESI
Institutional credit framework & rural credit measuresARD

10-mark questions asked

  • Objectives and aims of PM Vishwakarma Scheme and SVAMITVA Scheme
  • Short note on Dryland Farming
  • Role of India’s storage system in agriculture and food security

What was the nature of ESI and ARD MCQs in phase 2?

The MCQs section was data-oriented, scheme-focused, and application-based. Many questions were inspired from previous years, but answers required latest figures and updated facts. Candidates who relied only on old data faced difficulty.

ARD MCQs focus areas

TopicExamples Asked
Livestock & FisheriesPoultry meat contribution (51.4%)
Agriculture CensusSmall farmer landholding
Cropping SeasonsRabi–Kharif crops
AgroforestryTypes and systems
Storage SystemsTraditional & modern storage
InstitutionsPACS, DCCBs, NABARD funds

ESI MCQs focus areas

TopicNature
Government SchemesPM JANMAN, PM Vishwakarma
Labour DataPLFS concepts
Agriculture & EconomyWorkforce contribution
Environment & SustainabilityNatural farming
Reports & IndexesIMF, debt index

What was the overall difficulty level of the NABARD Grade A phase 1 2023 exam?

The NABARD Grade A Phase 1 exam was of moderate to tough level, with General Awareness and ARD/ESI playing a decisive role in the final score. In 2023 exam the paper tested not just speed but conceptual clarity, current affairs awareness, and section-wise balance. Candidates who were strong in static basics but weak in current affairs found it difficult to clear the cut-off.

SectionDifficulty Level
Reasoning AbilityModerate
Quantitative AptitudeModerate
English LanguageModerate
General AwarenessTough
Computer KnowledgeModerate
Decision MakingModerate
Economic & Social Issues (ESI)Moderate
Agriculture & Rural Development (ARD)Easy to Moderate
OverallModerate to Tough

What was the section-wise exam analysis of NABARD Grade A phase 1 2023?

The 2023 Phase 1 paper leaned heavily on current affairs in GA and ARD, which influenced overall attempts and accuracy. While core aptitude sections were manageable, scoring high required strong preparation in banking, agriculture, and rural development-related updates. Static concepts helped, but only when backed by current relevance.

SectionDifficultyKey Focus
Reasoning AbilityModeratePuzzles & Seating
Quantitative AptitudeModerateArithmetic & DI
English LanguageModerateRC & Grammar
General AwarenessToughBanking & Current Affairs
Computer KnowledgeModerateBasics
Decision MakingModerateSituational Questions
ESIModerateGovt Schemes & Economy
ARDEasy to ModerateStatic + Current

What was the overall NABARD Grade A 2023 phase 2 exam analysis?

The NABARD Grade A 2023 Phase 2 exam was conducted on 19 November 2023. The exam included ESI & ARD (Objective and Descriptive) and Descriptive English. Based on candidate feedback and expert review, the paper was balanced and tested both static knowledge and current affairs. The overall difficulty level of the exam was moderate, making it achievable for well-prepared aspirants.

SubjectDifficulty Level
Economic and Social Issues & Agriculture and Rural Development (Objective)Easy to Moderate
Economic and Social Issues & Agriculture and Rural Development (Descriptive)Moderate
Descriptive EnglishModerate
Overall Exam LevelModerate

How was the ESI and ARD objective paper in NABARD Grade A phase 2 exam 2023?

The ESI & ARD Objective section focused mainly on ARD static topics and ESI current affairs. Government schemes played an important role, while reports and indices were not asked. The section tested both factual knowledge and conceptual understanding, especially in the 2-marker questions.

Topic (ESI + ARD)Number of Questions
Government Schemes9
Reports / Indices0
Union Budget / Economic Survey2
ESI Current Affairs4
ARD Static11
ARD Current Affairs4
ARD Reports0
ESI Static0

ESI and ARD objective paper difficulty level

The details of the difficulty level of the ESI and ARD objective paper are as follows:

Difficulty LevelNumber of Questions
Easy12 – 13
Moderate14 – 15
Difficult2 – 3

Overview of the ESI and ARD objective paper

The overview of the difficulty level of the ESI and ARD objective paper is as follows:

  • Majority of 1-marker questions came from ARD
  • 2-marker questions needed deep understanding of concepts
  • ESI and ARD had balanced importance
  • Some schemes overlapped between ESI and ARD
  • Current affairs were more important than static topics
  • ARD was dominated by static content
  • ESI was dominated by current affairs
  • Paragraph-based questions were asked from:
    • ARD Current Affairs
    • ESI Current Affairs
  • This trend is likely to continue
  • Regular practice of quizzes and mock tests is very important

How was the ESI and ARD descriptive paper in NABARD Grade A 2023?

The ESI & ARD Descriptive paper tested candidates on their ability to explain concepts clearly and link them with real-world applications. Questions were equally divided between ESI and ARD, and several topics were repeated from previous years.

TopicNumber of Questions
Rural Marketing1
Agricultural Extension1
Economics1
Rural Development1
Forestry1
Demographic Trends1

ESI and ARD descriptive paper difficulty level

The details of the difficulty level of the ESI and ARD descriptive paper are as follows:

Difficulty LevelNumber of Questions
Easy1
Moderate4
Difficult1
Total6

How was the NABARD Grade A 2023 English descriptive paper?

The Descriptive English paper tested essay writing, precis writing, and reading comprehension skills. The section was scoring for candidates who had practiced writing answers in exam-like conditions.

TopicQuestionsMarks
Essay1 out of 4 topics30
Precis130
Reading Comprehension540
Total7100

English descriptive paper difficulty level

The details of the difficulty level of the English descriptive paper are as follows:

TopicDifficulty Level
EssayModerate
PrecisModerate
Reading ComprehensionModerate

English descriptive paper key takeaways

The overview of the types of questions asked in the English descriptive paper is as follows:

  • 4 essay topics were asked, similar to previous year
  • Essay word limit was 500–550 words
  • Precis and comprehension were moderately easy
  • Essay topics were:
    • Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) norms
    • Organizational culture
    • Social healthcare expenditure
    • Automation and artificial intelligence
  • Precis passage topic:
    • The Evolution of Gaming
  • Reading comprehension passage topic:
    • Emergence of social media influencers
  • Regular answer writing improves scores
  • Strong content knowledge gives an edge in final merit

FAQs

Q1. What is the overall difficulty level of NABARD Grade A phase 2 Exam Analysis?

The overall difficulty of NABARD Grade A Exam will be provided on 25th January 2026.

Q2. What are the good attempts for the NABARD Grade A mains exam?

The good attempts of NABARD Grade A mains exam will be updated here.