NABARD Grade A 2023 Officer Exam, Salary, Application, More

About NABARD Grade A Exam

India's apex agricultural development agency, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), is responsible for developing and growing agriculture in the country. In relation to the development of Indian agriculture, its primary function is to handle all matters related to agricultural finance. NABARD conducts the Grade A officer recruitment exam to hire young individuals for managerial positions to perform various NABARD functions. Let's discuss all the details of this examination.

• Recently on 1st March 2023, NABARD Grade A Marks for both prelims and mains were released for the 2022 cycle. The 2022 cycle was completed on 8th February 2023 as the final result was out on 8th February 2023.
• For the 2023 cycle, it is expected that the NABARD Grade A Notification will be released in the month of July. The same will be updated here as and when out.
• NABARD Grade A 2023 Notification will be released for 3 posts. These are RDBS, Rajbhasha, and P&SS (Protocol & Security Service).
• It is very important to note that the selection process for RDBS & Rajbhasha posts will be on the basis of Prelims, Mains & Interviews but for P&SS Post, only Interviews will be the selection process.

NABARD Grade A Exam Highlights 2023

The below table contains the details of the NABARD Grade A Exam for both 2022 & 2023. The candidates must note that the 2022 cycle has been completed and the 2023 cycle notification is expected to be released in July 2023.

NABARD Grade A Notification 2023 to be Out Soon!

The candidates must note that the NABARD Grade A Notification 2023 is expected to be released soon. Candidates must bookmark this article as this will be updated as and when the notification is released.

NABARD Grade A Notification 2022

A total of 170 vacancies had been announced for the posts of Assistant Manager in Grade A for Rural Development Banking Services (RDBS) (161 vacancies), Rajbhasha Service (7 vacancies), and Protocol & Security Service (2 vacancies). The application registration started on the 18th of July and ended on the 7th of August 2022. 

NABARD Grade A & B Officer Notification 2021

In the year 2021, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) released the NABARD recruitment notification 2021 for Grade A officers and Grade B posts. A total of 162 vacancies, 155 for NABARD Grade A (Assistant Manager - RDBS & Rajbhasha) and 7 Grade B posts were announced.

NABARD Grade A Exam Dates & Other Important Dates 2023

The candidates who want to appear in NABARD Grade A must note that the 2023 notification is yet to be released.

NABARD Grade A Officer Vacancy 2023

The 2023 notification is yet to be released so we have provided the vacancy distribution for 2022.

Here are the vacancies announced for the NABARD Grade A officers position for various posts offered for the 2022 cycle:

NABARD Grade A Officer Eligibility Criteria 2023 (Expected)

For Assistant Manager in Rural Development Banking Service (RDBS)

Age Limit (as on 1 July 2022)

• Minimum Age: 21 years
• Maximum Age: 30 years
  As per the NABARD Grade A 2022 notification, the candidate must be between 21 and 30 years of age. The candidate must have been born not earlier than 02-07-1992 and not later than 01-07-2001 as of 01-07-2022.

Educational Qualification (as on 1 July 2022)

Key Points to Note: 

•  A candidate applying for Assistant Manager (RDBS) - General cannot apply for another discipline and vice versa. Similarly, candidates applying for Assistant Manager (Rajbhasha) cannot apply for Asst. Manager (RDBS) and vice versa.
• The candidate can apply only for ONE Post/Discipline of his / her choice. In case of multiple applications across or within disciplines for Grade A (RDBS), only the last application submitted will be considered valid and the fee against all other applications will be forfeited.
• PWBD candidates applying against Unreserved (UR) posts will not be eligible for relaxation in the percentage in Educational Qualification. They may, however, be eligible for relaxation in Age and Fee.
• The candidate must possess the required educational qualification as on 01-07-2022. The result of the final term/semester/ year examination of the required educational qualification must have been declared on or before 01-07-2022. In other words, candidates whose final year/semester results have been declared after 01-07-2022 are not eligible to apply.

Academic Qualification Discipline-Wise

1. General 

Bachelor's Degree in any subject from a recognized University with a minimum of 60% marks (SC/ST/PWBD applicants - 55%) in aggregate  

OR 

Post Graduate degree, MBA/PGDM with a minimum of 55% marks (SC/ST/PWBD applicants - 50%) in aggregate 

OR 

CA/ CS/ICWA OR PhD from Institutions recognized by GOI/UGC.

2. Agriculture Engineering 

Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture Engineering with 60% marks (ST/PWBD applicants - 55%) in aggregate

OR

Postgraduate degree in Agriculture Engineering with a minimum of 55% marks (ST/PWBD applicants - 50%) in aggregate from a recognised University / Institution.

3. Fisheries

Bachelor's degree in Fisheries Science from a recognized University/Institution with 60% marks (ST/PWBD applicants 55%) in aggregate

OR Postgraduate degree in Fisheries with 55% marks (ST/PWBD applicants 50%) in aggregate.

4. Forestry

Bachelor's degree in Forestry from a recognized University/Institution with 60% marks (PWBD applicants - 55%) in aggregate

OR Postgraduate degree in Forestry with 55% marks (PWBD applicants - 50%) in aggregate.

5. Land Development-Soil Science

Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture / Agriculture (Soil Science/Agronomy) with 60% marks (SC/PWBD applicants - 55%) in aggregate

OR

Post Graduate degree in Agriculture / Agriculture (Soil Science/Agronomy) with a minimum of 55% marks (SC/PWBD applicants - 50%) in aggregate from a recognised University / Institution.

6. Plantation/Horticulture

Bachelor's Degree in Horticulture from any recognized University with a minimum of 60% marks (SC/PWBD applicants - 55%) in aggregate 

OR

Post Graduate degree in Horticulture with a minimum of 55% marks (SC/PWBD applicants - 50%) in aggregate.

7. Civil Engineering

Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from any recognized University with a minimum of 60% marks (PWBD applicants - 55%) in aggregate

OR 

Post Graduate degree in Civil Engineering with a minimum of 55% marks (PWBD applicants - 50%) in aggregate.

8. Environmental Engineering/Sciences

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science / Environmental Engineering with 60% marks (SC/PWBD applicants - 55%) in aggregate 

OR

Post-graduate degree in Environmental Engineering or Environmental Science with 55% marks (SC/PWBD applicants - 50%) in aggregate from a recognized University/Institution

9. Finance

BBA (Finance/Banking) / BMS (Finance/Banking) with 60% marks (SC/PWBD applicants - 55%) 

OR 

Two years full-time P.G. Diploma in Management (Finance) / Full-time MBA (Finance) degree with 55% (SC/PWBD applicants - 50%) from Institutions / Universities recognized by GoI /UGC with Bachelor's Degree in any discipline. Candidates will be required to submit a certificate from Institution/University regarding specialization in finance

OR

Bachelor of Financial and Investment Analysis with 60% marks (SC/PWBD applicants - 55%) OR

Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized University/Institution with Membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)OR CFA. Membership in ICAI must have been obtained

OR

Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized University with Membership in the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ACMA/FCMA) & ICWA. Membership of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICAI) must have been obtained

10. Computer/Information Technology

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science/ Computer Technology/ Computer Applications/Information Technology with 60% marks (SC/PWBD applicants 55%) in aggregate

OR

a postgraduate degree in Computer Science/ Computer Technology/ Computer Applications/Information Technology with 55% marks (SC/PWBD applicants 50%) in aggregate from a recognized university.

11. Agriculture Marketing/Agri.Business Management

Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture Marketing/ Agriculture Business Management with 60% marks (SC/PWBD applicants - 55%) in aggregate 

OR

Two years of full-time Post Graduate Degree/ Post Graduate Diploma/MBA in Agriculture Marketing/ Agriculture Business Management with a minimum of 55% marks (SC/PWBD applicants - 50%) in aggregate from a recognised University / Institution

12. Developmental Management

Bachelor's degree in Social Work/Development Management/Development Studies with 60% marks (SC/PWD applicants 55%) in aggregate

OR

Post Graduate degree in Social Work/Development Management/Development Studies with 55% marks (SC/PWD

applicants 50%) in aggregate from a recognized University

OR

Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Development/ Rural Management/Development Management/Development Studies for a minimum of 02 years

NABARD Grade A Officer Application Process

Eligible applicants are required to apply online through the official website. No other means/ mode of application is accepted. The application form should be filled in the English language only. Option for the use of Hindi language will be available for the Online/Main Examination/ Interview.

Pre-requisites for Applying Online

• Scan Photograph (4.5 cm x 3.5 cm) Signature (with Black ink).
• Left Thumb impression (on white paper with black or blue ink).
• A handwritten declaration (on white paper with black ink) (text given below).
• Please note that signatures in CAPITAL LETTERS will not be accepted.
• The left thumb impression should be properly scanned and not smudged. (If a candidate is not having a left thumb, he/she may use his/her right thumb for applying).
• The text for the hand-written declaration is as follows – "I. (Name of the candidate), hereby declare that all the information submitted by me in the application form is correct, true, and valid. I will present the supporting documents as and when required."
• The above-mentioned hand-written declaration has to be in the candidate's handwriting and in English only. If it is written and uploaded by anybody else or in any other language, the application will be considered invalid. (Visually Impaired candidates who cannot write may get the text of the declaration typed and put their left-hand thumb impression below the typed declaration and upload the document as per specification.)
• Keep the necessary details/documents ready to make online payment of the requisite application fee/intimation charges.
• Have a valid personal email ID and mobile no., which should be kept active till the completion of this Recruitment Process. Bank may send intimation to download call letters/upload biodata etc. through the registered e-mail ID. In case a candidate does not have a valid personal e-mail ID/mobile number, he/she should create/obtain his/her new e-mail ID and mobile no. before applying online and must maintain that email account and mobile number.

Application Registration

Before applying online, candidates should:

• Scan their photograph and signature ensuring that both the photograph and signature adhere to the required specifications as given under "Guidelines for photograph & signature scan and upload".
• Have a valid personal email ID and mobile no., which should be kept active till the completion of this Recruitment Process. The bank shall send call letters for the Examination etc. through the registered e-mail ID. In case a candidate does not have a valid personal e-mail ID, he/she should create his/her new e-mail ID and mobile no. before applying online and must maintain that email account and mobile number.
• Be prepared for biometric verification of identity at the Exam Centre at the time of the Main Examination and onwards.

Application Fee (Non-Refundable)

The application fee (exclusive of applicable GST) for the post will be as under:

* Exclusive of applicable GST

@All NABARD employees satisfying the educational qualification criteria would be eligible to apply. They will be required to pay fee/intimation charges as indicated above at the time of online application, which will be reimbursed on submission of fee receipt only to those employees of NABARD (Staff Candidates) who satisfy the eligibility criteria for the post. The status as a staff candidate will be verified at the time of the interview.

Steps to Apply for NABARD Grade A Officer Exam Online

1. Visit Bank's website www.nabard.org/career, and click on the option "APPLY ONLINE" which will open a new screen.
2. To register for the application, choose the tab "Click here for New Registration" and enter your Name, Contact details and Email-id.
3. A Provisional Registration Number and Password will be generated by the system and displayed on the screen. The candidate should note down the Provisional Registration Number and Password. An Email & SMS indicating the Provisional Registration number and Password will be sent to the given email ID and mobile number.
4. In case the candidate is unable to complete the application form in one go, he/she can save the data already entered by choosing the "SAVE AND NEXT" tab. Prior to submission of the online application, candidates are advised to use the "SAVE AND NEXT" facility to verify the details in the online application form and modify the same, if required. Visually Impaired candidates should fill out the application form carefully and verify/ get the details verified to ensure that the same are correct prior to final submission.
5. Candidates are advised to carefully fill and verify the details filled in the online application themselves as no change will be possible after clicking the FINAL SUBMIT BUTTON.
6. The name of the candidate or his /her Father/ Husband etc. should be spelt correctly in the application as it appears in the Certificates / Mark sheets as well as valid ID Proof brought for the examination. Any change/alteration found may disqualify the candidature.
7. Validate your details and Save your application by clicking the Validate your details and Save & Next button.
8. Candidates can proceed to upload their Photo & Signature as per the specifications given in the Guidelines for Scanning and Upload of Photograph and Signature detailed under point "C".
9. Candidates can proceed to fill in other details of the Application Form.
10. Click on the Preview Tab to preview and verify the entire application form before you click on the FINAL SUBMIT button.
11. Modify details, if required, and click on FINAL SUBMIT ONLY after verifying and ensuring that the photograph, signature uploaded and other details filled in by you are correct.
12. Click on the Payment Tab and proceed with payment.
13. Click on the Submit button.

NABARD Grade A Exam Pattern 2023 (Expected)

The exam pattern for NABARD Grade A 2023 officer exam is as follows -:

NABARD Grade A Phase 1 Exam Pattern (Prelims Exam Pattern)

There are several sections in NABARD Grade A Phase 1 Exam. The combined 120 minutes will be given for the complete paper.

Important Pointers to Note for the Phase 1 Exam

1. Qualifying Section - Test of Reasoning, English Language, Computer Knowledge, Quantitative Aptitude, Decision Making.
2. Merit Section - General Awareness, Eco & Soc. Issues (with focus on Rural India), Agriculture & Rural Development with Emphasis on Rural India.
3. Shortlisting of the candidates for the Main exam will be based on marks scored in the merit section only.
4. For every wrong answer marked, 1/4th of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as a penalty in the Phase 1 paper. Cut-offs in Phase 1 may be applied in two stages: (i) On scores in individual tests, (ii) On Total Score

NABARD Grade A Phase 2 Exam Pattern (Mains Exam Pattern)

Main Exam Pattern for the Post of Generalist Officers

Main Exam Pattern for the post of Specialist Officers

Important Note: Negative Marking & Cutoffs

• For every wrong answer marked, 1/4th of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as a penalty in Phase 2 papers
• Cut-offs in Phase 2 papers may be applied in two stages - (i) On scores in individual tests, and (ii) On Total Scores.

NABARD Grade A Interview 

Interview - 50 Marks 

• The calling ratio to qualify for the main examination and interview would be a maximum of 1:25 and 1:3.
• The final selection and ranking of the applicants for the post of Assistant Manager in Grade A (RDBS/Rajbhasha) will be based on their performance in Phase 2 Main Examination and Interview, taken together.

NABARD Grade A Syllabus 2023 For Phase 1 & Phase 2

The syllabus for the subjects Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, Computer Knowledge and General Awareness for the Phase 1 Exam is the same as all other banking exams. Following is a shortlist of the topics to be prepared for these sections as well as for sections of ESI & ARD.

Reasoning

Here are the important topics listed:

• Alphanumeric Series,
• Order and Ranking,
• Direction Sense,
• Alphabet Test,
• Data Sufficiency,
• Inequalities,
• Seating Arrangement,
• Puzzles,
• Syllogism,
• Blood Relations,
• Input-Output,
• Coding-Decoding,
• Logical Reasoning

Quantitative Aptitude

Here are the important topics listed:

• Data Interpretation,
• Quantity Based,
• Data Sufficiency,
• Simplification,
• Approximation,
• Quadratic Inequalities,

Number Series both missing and wrong number series
Important Arithmetic Topics: 

• Partnership,
• Average,
• Ages,
• Profit & Loss,
• Time & Work,
• Speed, Time, Distance,
• Boat & Stream,
• Trains,
• Simple Interest & Compound Interest,
• Percentage,
• Ratio & Proportion

Computer Knowledge

Here are the important topics listed:

• Computer Fundamentals and Terminologies
• Computer Hardware and Software
• History – Generations of Computer
• Operating System
• Internet and Networking
• DBMS
• MS Office – MS Word, MS Excel, MS Powerpoint, etc.
• Keyboard Shortcuts
• Basic Security Concepts
• Computer Abbreviations

General Awareness

Here are the important topics listed:

• Current Affairs (Agriculture Focused),
• Banking Awareness and Economy (Agriculture Focused),
• Agricultural Insurance,
• Important people in the news,
• Sports News,
• Appointments, etc.

English

Here are the important topics listed:

For the Phase 1 Exam 

• Cloze test,
• Fillers,
• Spotting the errors,
• Para Jumbles,
• New pattern questions,
• Idioms and phrases,
• Word Rearrangement,
• Column Based questions,
• Sentence improvement,
• Paragraph Completion,
• Grammar,
• Reading Comprehension

For the Phase 2 Exam

• Essay,
• Precis Writing,
• Comprehension,
• Business/Office Correspondence

Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD)

Here are the important topics listed:

Agriculture: Definition, meaning and its branches, Agronomy: definition, meaning and scope of agronomy. Classification of field crops. Factors affecting crop production, Agro Climatic Zones; Cropping Systems: Definition and types of cropping systems. 

Problems of dry land agriculture; Seed production, seed 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, fertilisers, soil erosion, soil conservation, watershed management;

Water Resource: Irrigation Management: types of irrigation, sources of irrigation, crop-water requirement, command area development, water conservation techniques, micro-irrigation, irrigation pumps, major, medium and minor irrigation.

Farm and Agri Engineering: Farm Machinery and Power, Sources of power on the farm- human, animal, mechanical, electrical, wind, solar and biomass, biofuels, water harvesting structures, farm ponds, watershed management, Agro Processing, Controlled and modified storage, perishable food storage, godowns, bins and grain silos.

Plantation & Horticulture: Definition, meaning and its branches. Agronomic practices and production technology of various plantation and horticulture crops. Post-harvest management, value and supply chain management of Plantation and Horticulture crops.

Animal Husbandry: Farm animals and their role in the Indian economy, Animal husbandry methods in India, common terms pertaining to different species of livestock, Utility classification of breeds of cattle. Introduction to common feeds and fodders, their classification and utility.

Introduction to the poultry industry in India (past, present and future status), Common terms pertaining to poultry production and management. Concept of mixed farming and its relevance to socio-economic conditions of farmers in India. Complimentary and obligatory nature of livestock and poultry production with that of agricultural farming.

Fisheries: Fisheries resources, management and exploitation - freshwater, brackish water and marine; Aquaculture- Inland and marine; biotechnology; post-harvest technology. Importance of fisheries in India. Common terms pertaining to fish production.

Forestry: Basic concepts of Forest and Forestry. Principles of silviculture, forest mensuration, forest management and forest economics. Concepts of social forestry, agroforestry, and joint forest management. Forest policy and legislation in India, India State of Forest Report 2015. Recent developments under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Agriculture Extensions: Its importance and role, methods of evaluation of extension programmes, Role of Krishi Vigyan Kendra's (KVK) in the dissemination of Agricultural technologies.

Ecology and Climate Change: Ecology and its relevance to man, natural resources, their sustainable management and conservation. Causes of climate change, Green House Gases (GHG), major GHG emitting countries, climate analysis, the distinction between adaptation and mitigation, climate change impact on agriculture and rural livelihood, carbon credit, IPCC, UNFCCC, CoP meetings, funding mechanisms for climate change projects, initiatives by Govt of India, NAPCC, SAPCC, INDC.

Present Scenario of Indian Agriculture and Allied activities: Recent trends, major challenges in agriculture measures to enhance the viability of agriculture. Factors of Production in agriculture; Agricultural Finance and Marketing; Impact of

Globalization on Indian Agriculture and issues of Food Security; Concept and Types of Farm Management.

Rural Development: Concept of Rural Area, Structure of the Indian Rural Economy- Importance and role of the rural sector in India - Economic, Social and Demographic Characteristics of the Indian rural economy, causes of Rural Backwardness.

Rural population in India; Occupational structure, Farmers, Agricultural Labourers, Artisans, Handicrafts, Traders, Forest dwellers/tribes and others in rural India- Trends of change in rural population and rural workforce; problems and conditions of rural labour; Issues and challenges in Handlooms

Panchayati Raj Institutions – Functions and Working. MGNREGA, NRLM – Aajeevika, Rural Drinking water Programmes, Swachh Bharat, Rural Housing, PURA and other rural development programmes.

Economic & Social Issues

Nature of Indian Economy - Structural and Institutional features - Economic underdevelopment - Opening the Indian Economy - Globalisation - Economic Reforms in India - Privatisation.

Inflation - Trends in Inflation & their Impact on National Economy and Individual Income.

Poverty Alleviation and Employment Generation in India - Rural and Urban - Measurement of Poverty - Poverty Alleviation Programmes of the Government. Population Trends - Population Growth and Economic Development - Population Policy in India.

Agriculture - Characteristics / Status - Technical and Institutional changes in Indian Agriculture - Agricultural performance - Issues in Food Security in India - Non-Institutional and Institutional Agencies in rural credit. Industry - Industrial and Labour Policy - Industrial performance - Regional Imbalance in India's Industrial Development - Public Sector Enterprises.

Rural banking and financial institutions in India - Reforms in Banking/ Financial sector. 

The globalisation of Economy - Role of International Funding Institutions - IMF & World Bank - WTO - Regional Economic Co-operation.

Social Structure in India - Multiculturalism - Demographic trends - Urbanisation and Migration - Gender Issues Joint family system - Social Infrastructure - Education - Health and Environment. Education - Status & System of Education - Socio-Economic Problems associated with Illiteracy - Educational relevance and educational wastage - Educational Policy for India. Social Justice: Problems of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes - socio-economic programmes for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes and other backward classes.

Positive Discrimination in favour of the underprivileged - Social Movements - Indian Political Systems - Human Development. Current Economic & Social Issues.

Also, check out the below-given links