NABARD Grade A Syllabus & Exam Pattern

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has officially published the syllabus and exam pattern for the Grade A recruitment exam. For aspirants targeting the NABARD Grade A, a thorough understanding of the syllabus is the cornerstone of effective preparation. This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of the exam structure, detailed subject-wise topics, and strategic insights to help you excel.

Trusted by 20K+ job seekers — get real-time Sarkari Naukri alerts

Channel Telegram Groups

Understanding the exam structure, including the weightage of each section and the marking scheme, allows candidates to prioritize topics and manage time efficiently during the examination.

Direct Link to Download Official Syllabus PDF

Aspirants can access the detailed NABARD Grade A Syllabus PDF to get a clear overview of all the topics essential for the exam.

Click Here – NABARD Grade A Syllabus PDF

NABARD Grade A Selection Process

The selection process for NABARD Grade A comprises three distinct stages. Candidates must clear each stage to progress to the next.

• Prelims (Objective Type): Screening stage.
• Mains (Descriptive & Objective): Evaluation of depth of knowledge.
• Interview: Assessment of personality and suitability for the role.

NABARD Grade A Exam Pattern

Below is the detailed exam pattern for Prelims and Mains, including the number of questions, duration, and total marks.

Overview of Exam Parameters

Parameter	Details
Exam Name	NABARD Grade A Recruitment
Conducting Authority	National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
Post Name	Grade A
Selection Process	Prelims, Mains, Interview
Total Marks (Prelims)	200
Total Marks (Mains)	200 (100 per paper)
Duration (Prelims)	120 Minutes
Duration (Mains)	90 Minutes Each Paper
Negative Marking	0.25 Mark
Official Website	nabard.org

Prelims Exam Pattern

• Mode: Online
• Type: Objective Multiple Choice Questions
• Total Questions: 200
• Total Marks: 200
• Duration: 120 Minutes (2 Hours)
• Negative Marking: 0.25 marks will be deducted for every incorrect answer.

Mains Exam Pattern

The Mains exam consists of two papers conducted online:

• Paper I: General English (Descriptive)
  • Duration: 90 Minutes
  • Marks: 100
• Paper II: Generalist – Economic & Social Issues + Agriculture & Rural Development
  • Part 1 (Objective): 30 questions, 50 marks, Duration: 30 minutes.
  • Part 2 (Descriptive): 6 questions (attempt any 4), Duration: 90 minutes.
  • Total Marks: 100 (50 from Objective + 50 from Descriptive).

Comprehensive Subject-wise Syllabus

1. General Hindi (Prelims)

• Nouns, Pronouns, Verbs, and Adjectives
• Synonyms and Antonyms
• Sentence Correction and Structure
• Idioms and Proverbs
• Terminology related to Government Documents
• Technical and Office-related Language

2. General English (Prelims)

• Tenses and Voice
• Narration and Sentence Transformation
• Error Detection and Correction
• Articles, Prepositions, and Punctuation
• Simple Translation (English ↔ Hindi)
• Glossary of Official and Technical Terms

3. Geography (Rajasthan) (Prelims)

• Physical Structure and Divisions
• Soil and Climate Characteristics
• Water Resources and Irrigation Systems
• Population and Demographic Studies
• Transport and Communication Networks
• Disaster Management and Climate Change

4. History, Art & Culture (Rajasthan) (Prelims)

• Main Historical Events and Freedom Movement
• Integration of Rajasthan
• Rajasthani Literature and Folk Culture
• Costumes, Music, Dance, and Theatre
• Tourist Places and Historical Monuments
• Prominent Personalities of Rajasthan

5. Political & Administrative System (Prelims)

• Fundamentals of the Indian Constitution
• Structure and Functions of the State Government
• Administrative and Judicial Systems
• Role of the Chief Secretary and District Administration
• Right to Information (RTI) Act
• Rajasthan-specific Political and Administrative Framework

6. General Science (Prelims)

• Basic Concepts of Physics and Chemistry
• Human Body and Organ Systems
• Genetics and Scientific Terminology
• Major Diseases and Preventive Health Measures
• Waste Management and Environmental Science

7. Current Events (Prelims)

• National and State-Level News and Developments
• Sports, Politics, and Economy
• Society, Technology, and Environment
• Government Schemes and Policies
• Prominent National and State Personalities

8. Basic Computer (Prelims)

• Fundamentals of Hardware and Software
• Operating Systems and File Management
• Office Applications (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Internet, Web Browsing, and Email Usage

9. Mathematics (Prelims)

• HCF and LCM
• Averages and Percentages
• Profit and Loss
• Ratio and Proportion
• Simple and Compound Interest
• Partnership Calculations
• Speed, Distance, and Time
• Data Representation and Interpretation

Mains Syllabus: Paper I (General English – Descriptive)

• Essay Writing
• Précis Writing
• Comprehension
• Business/Office Correspondence

Mains Syllabus: Paper II (Generalist – Economic & Social Issues + Agriculture & Rural Development)

This paper includes both Objective and Descriptive components covering the following topics:

Economic & Social Issues

• Nature of Indian Economy
• Inflation
• Poverty Alleviation & Employment Generation
• Population Trends
• Agriculture and Industry
• Rural Banking & Financial Institutions
• Globalization of Economy
• Social Structure in India
• Education
• Social Justice
• Positive Discrimination for the Underprivileged

Agriculture & Rural Development

• Agriculture
• Soil & Water Conservation
• Water Resource Management
• Farm & Agricultural Engineering
• Plantation & Horticulture
• Animal Husbandry
• Fisheries
• Forestry
• Agriculture Extensions
• Ecology & Climate Change
• Indian Agriculture: Present Scenario & Allied Activities
• Rural Development

Minimum Qualifying Marks

While specific qualifying marks for the 2025-2026 cycle are detailed in the official notification, candidates are generally required to secure minimum cutoff marks in each section of the Prelims and Mains to be eligible for the next stage. Sectional cutoffs and overall cutoffs apply.

Preparation Strategy

To prepare effectively for the NABARD Grade A exam, candidates should follow these tailored preparation tips:

• Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus: Review the syllabus and exam pattern to plan effectively. Focus on the weightage of each section.
• Create a Study Schedule: Organize your study time for General Hindi, English, Rajasthan-specific topics, and Technical subjects.
• Refer to the Best Study Materials: Use recommended books and resources for each subject, especially for Geography, History, and Agriculture.
• Practice Regularly: Solve practice papers and previous year’s questions to improve your skills, particularly in Mathematics and Computer Basics.
• Focus on Conceptual Clarity: Focus on understanding core concepts, not just memorization, especially for Economic & Social Issues.
• Improve Speed and Accuracy: Practice answering questions quickly and accurately to manage the 120-minute Prelims duration.
• Stay Updated with Current Affairs: Read newspapers and follow online resources for current events, especially government schemes and policies.
• Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Eat well, stay hydrated, and take regular breaks to maintain focus.
• Revision is Key: Regularly revise topics, especially Art & Culture and Political Systems, to ensure better retention.
• Stay Positive and Motivated: Stay confident and motivated throughout your preparation journey.

FAQs