Every year, the NABARD Grade A exam offers aspiring candidates a golden opportunity to join the prestigious National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development. If you’re eyeing a stable government job in the banking sector with strong growth potential, this is your call.
NABARD has officially released the exam dates for Grade A recruitment 2025. With 91 vacancies announced, the competition is fierce, and the timeline is tight. Let’s cut into all the important details you need to know.
Dates
The much-awaited NABARD Grade A Phase 1 (Prelims) exam is scheduled for 20th December 2025, and Phase 2 (Mains) will follow on 25th January 2026. The interview round is expected in May 2026. Make sure your documents and preparation are in place because the admit cards are likely to drop in early December 2025.
Here’s a quick snapshot of important dates:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 04 Nov 2025 |
| Application Start Date | 08 Nov 2025 |
| Application End Date | 30 Nov 2025 |
| Prelims Exam Date | 20 Dec 2025 |
| Mains Exam Date | 25 Jan 2026 |
| Interview | May 2026 |
Vacancies
NABARD is hiring 91 Assistant Managers across three streams:
- RDBS (Rural Development Banking Service) – 85 posts
- Legal Service – 2 posts
- Protocol & Security Service – 4 posts
Breakdown of RDBS vacancies by discipline:
| Discipline | UR | SC | ST | OBC | EWS | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | 20 | 7 | 4 | 13 | 4 | 48 |
| Computer/IT | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 10 |
| Chartered Accountant | 2 | 1 | – | 1 | – | 4 |
| Finance | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | – | 5 |
| Company Secretary | 1 | – | – | 1 | – | 2 |
| Others (Engg, Agri) | — | — | — | — | — | 16 |
| Total (RDBS) | 35 | 14 | 8 | 20 | 8 | 85 |
Process
The selection process varies depending on the stream. For RDBS and Legal, there are three stages:
- Prelims (Phase 1) – Objective, 200 marks
- Mains (Phase 2) – Objective + Descriptive, 200 marks
- Interview – 50 marks
For Protocol & Security Service, the process is simpler:
- Online Exam – 200 marks
- Interview – 50 marks
This tiered structure helps assess not just theoretical knowledge, but also problem-solving skills and suitability for managerial roles.
Pattern
Let’s break down the exam pattern:
Prelims (RDBS/Legal)
- Mode: Online Objective
- Duration: 120 mins
- Marks: 200
Sections include: Reasoning, English, Computer, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness, ESI, ARD.
Mains
- Paper I – General English (Descriptive): 100 marks, 90 mins
- Paper II – ESI & ARD (Objective + Descriptive): 100 marks, 90 mins
Mains is where you’ll be tested on subject depth and writing ability, so start practicing essay and descriptive writing!
Eligibility
The age limits and educational qualifications differ by post. Here’s a summary:
| Post | Age Limit (as of 01.11.2025) |
|---|---|
| RDBS & Legal | 21 to 30 years |
| Protocol & Security | 25 to 40 years |
For RDBS (General): A Bachelor’s degree with 60% (55% for reserved categories). For other disciplines, specialised degrees like B.Tech, MBA, CA, etc. are needed.
For Legal: A law degree (LLB/LLM) with minimum 60%.
For Protocol & Security: Minimum 10 years of commissioned service in Army/Navy/Air Force and a valid Ex-Serviceman ID.
Fees
Application fees are to be paid online only. Here’s the fee structure:
| Category | Fee (₹) |
|---|---|
| SC/ST/PWBD | 150 |
| Others | 850 |
The payment includes application + intimation charges. Make sure you pay before the deadline to avoid disqualification.
Salary
This is the part everyone loves — the NABARD Grade A salary is among the best in the banking sector!
| Component | Amount (₹) |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay | 44,500 |
| After 4 Increments | 54,500 |
| After 7 Increments | 74,450 |
| After 17 Years | 89,150 |
| Total Gross Pay | ~1,00,000 |
Perks include HRA, DA, medical, pension, travel allowance, and more. Plus, the career progression path is impressive — Assistant Manager → Manager → AGM → DGM → GM → CGM → Executive Director → Director.
Syllabus
The NABARD Grade A syllabus includes:
- Reasoning
- Quantitative Aptitude
- English Language
- Computer Knowledge
- General Awareness
- Economic & Social Issues (ESI)
- Agriculture & Rural Development (ARD)
For Mains, expect descriptive papers testing your essay writing and analytical skills in ESI & ARD. The preparation strategy should include mock tests, previous year papers, and regular current affairs updates.
Preparing early and smart is the key to cracking this three-tier exam. Whether you’re from an agriculture background or IT, there’s a stream for everyone. So don’t miss out on this opportunity to land a prestigious job with a powerful impact on rural development.
FAQs
When is NABARD Grade A Prelims 2025?
The Phase 1 exam is on 20th December 2025.
How many vacancies in NABARD Grade A 2025?
There are a total of 91 vacancies.
What is NABARD Grade A salary in hand?
The gross salary is around ₹1,00,000 per month.
Is NABARD Grade A exam conducted online?
Yes, both Prelims and Mains are online.
Can final year students apply for NABARD Grade A?
Only if they meet eligibility by 01 Nov 2025.
