NABARD Grade A Syllabus 2025: Complete Guide for Phase 1, Phase 2 & Interview
Hey, aspiring NABARD officers! The NABARD Grade A 2025 exam is a gateway to roles in rural banking and development, and nailing the syllabus is key to cracking it. The notification for 91 Assistant Manager Grade A posts was released on November 3, 2025, with applications open until November 30, 2025. The exam tests your aptitude in Phase 1 (Prelims), deep knowledge in Phase 2 (Mains), and personality in the Interview. Syllabus includes Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English, GA, Decision Making, ESI, ARD, and Computer Knowledge, with a focus on rural economy. With a salary of ₹44,500–₹89,150, this is your shot at a prestigious role! Let’s break it down simply to streamline your prep.
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Exam Pattern Quick Overview
- Phase 1 (Prelims): Online, 200 marks, 120 mins, 160 MCQs. Qualifying (no negative marking for merit sections).
- Phase 2 (Mains): Online (Objective 200 marks + Descriptive 50 marks), 180 mins. Merit-based.
- Phase 3: Psychometric Test (Qualifying) + Interview (50 marks).
- Negative Marking: 0.25 per wrong answer in objective papers.
Phase 1 is screening; Phase 2 scores + Interview determine merit. Download the official syllabus PDF from nabard.org.
Phase 1 (Prelims) Syllabus & Weightage
Prelims has 5 sections. Focus on speed and accuracy—aim for 120+ marks to qualify.
| Section | Questions/Marks | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Reasoning Ability | 40 Q / 40 M | Puzzles, Seating Arrangement, Syllogism, Inequality, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Direction Sense, Alphanumeric Series, Input-Output. |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 40 Q / 40 M | Number Series, Simplification, DI (Charts/Tables), Quadratic Equations, Approximation, Percentages, Ratio & Proportion, Profit & Loss, Time & Work, Speed & Distance, Mensuration, Simple & Compound Interest. |
| English Language | 40 Q / 40 M | Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Error Spotting, Para Jumbles, Fill in the Blanks, Phrase Replacement, Vocabulary (Synonyms/Antonyms), Idioms & Phrases. |
| General Awareness | 40 Q / 40 M | Current Affairs (last 6 months), Banking & Economy, Static GK (History, Geography, Polity), Science, Awards, Books & Authors, Schemes (NABARD-specific like RIDF, SHG). |
| Computer Knowledge | 40 Q / 40 M | Basics (Hardware/Software), MS Office (Word/Excel/PowerPoint), Internet, Networking, Cybersecurity, Database Management, History of Computers. |
Tips: GA & Computer are scoring—dedicate 20% time to them. Use apps like Adda247 for daily quizzes.
Phase 2 (Mains) Syllabus & Weightage
Mains has 8 papers (4 Objective, 3 Descriptive, 1 Psychometric). Merit sections: ESI, ARD, Descriptive English.
- Paper I (ESI – Economy & Social Issues): 50 Q / 50 M (30 mins) Topics: Poverty Alleviation, Employment Generation, Sustainable Development, Economic Reforms, Social Sector Initiatives, Globalization, Indian Economy, Poverty & Unemployment.
- Paper II (ARD – Agriculture & Rural Development): 50 Q / 50 M (30 mins) Topics: Agriculture, Rural Economy, NABARD Schemes (SHG, KCC, RIDF), Soil Conservation, Watershed Management, Agri Marketing, Food Processing, Rural Infrastructure.
- Paper III (Descriptive English): 6 Q / 50 M (90 mins) Topics: Essay (2 out of 4), Precis Writing, Comprehension, Letter Writing. (Merit-based)
- Paper IV (Reasoning, Quant, Computer, GA): 30 Q / 30 M (30 mins) Same as Phase 1, but integrated.
- Papers V-VII: Stream-specific (Generalist: ESI/ARD; Specialists: Agriculture, Finance, etc.) – 50 M each.
- Psychometric Test: Qualifying, assesses personality (no marks).
Tips: ARD & ESI are core—read NABARD annual reports. Practice descriptive writing for English.
Interview (50 Marks)
Assesses personality, communication, and domain knowledge. Duration: 20–30 mins. Focus on rural development, NABARD’s role, and current affairs.
How to Prepare for NABARD Grade A 2025
- Study Plan: 40% on Phase 2 (ESI/ARD), 30% on Phase 1 aptitude, 20% on English, 10% on mocks.
- Resources:
- Books: “NABARD Grade A” by Anuj Jindal, Lucent GK, RS Aggarwal (Quant/Reasoning).
- Online: Oliveboard/Edutap for mocks; PW Live for ARD/ESI notes.
- Strategy: Solve 50 mocks; focus on NABARD-specific topics like SHG & RIDF. Aim for 150+ in Prelims, 200+ in Mains.
The syllabus is consistent with previous years, but always verify the official bulletin. With 91 posts, consistent prep can land you a spot!
Keep visiting SarkariJobDoor.com for regular updates about admit cards, exam dates, and results.
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