As NABARD is an apex cooperative bank, it provides an opportunity for candidates to closely work on the regulation of all regional banks of the nation. Hence, to get selected in examinations like NABARD Grade A or Grade B is considered to be a matter of great pride by many in this country.
NABARD Grade A & B 2024 Exam Pattern
NABARD Grade A and Grade B jobs are one of the most renowned in the country and it is equally difficult to get in. To prepare well NABARD Grade A exam 2024, it is important for candidates to know selection procedure of the exam.
So, let us talk about the various stages in the NABARD Grade A and Grade B selection process:
- Preliminary Exam: Online Objective Test – Phase I
- Mains Exam: Online Objective & Descriptive Test – Phase II
- Interview – Phase III
NABARD Grade A & B Exam Pattern 2024 – Phase I
Both the NABARD Grade A and Grade B exams are similar when it comes to their Prelims phase, both have the same syllabus, and exam pattern.
If you are planning to prepare for NABARD Grade A 2024 exam, you can take a look at the exam pattern to understand the structure of the exam in a detailed manner.
To begin with, both Phase 1 and 2 of both the exams are conducted online, so you do not get the satisfaction of scribbling on paper.
You will be assigned a center near your house. You will get a computer at that center and everything will stay online.
2 hours will be given to you to complete the exam so distribute your time accordingly between different sections. This will help you to understand the structure of the exam.
Let’s jump in.
The section-wise breakdown of both the NABARD Grade A & B Prelims exam pattern is given in the table below:
| S.No. | Name of the Test | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Reasoning Ability | Qualifying Sections | 20 | 20 |
| 2. | English Language | 30 | 30 | |
| 3. | Computer Knowledge | 20 | 20 | |
| 4. | Quantitive Aptitude | 20 | 20 | |
| 5. | Decision Making | 10 | 10 | |
| 6. | General Awareness | Merit Sections | 20 | 20 |
| 7. | Economics & Social Issues (with focus on Rural India) | 40 | 40 | |
| 8. | Agriculture & Rural Development (with focus on Rural India) | 40 | 40 | |
| Total | 200 | 200 |
Important to Note:
1. Qualifying Sections: Reasoning Ability, English Language, Computer Knowledge, Decision Making & Quantitative Aptitude.
2. Merit Sections: General Awareness, Economic & Social Issues (with emphasis on Rural India), Agriculture & Rural Development with a focus on rural India.
This means that you will be shortlisted for the Mains exam based on the marks of merit sections only and not the qualifying sections.
So, I would recommend you to give more time to merit sections of NABARD Grade A & Grade B Phase 1.
NABARD Grade A & B Exam Pattern – Phase II
NABARD Grade A 2024 Phase 2 Exam Pattern
| Paper | Grade A | Types of Paper | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | General English | Online Descriptive | 3 | 100 | 90 Minutes | Descriptive Answers to be typed using keyboard |
| Paper 2 | Economic & Social Issues and Agriculture & Rural Development | Objective | 30 | 50 | 30 Minutes | |
| Descriptive Type | 6 questions will be asked, of which candidates will be required to attempt 4 questions [2 of 15 marks each (with difficulty level) and 2 of 10 marks each] | 50 | 90 Minutes | Descriptive Answers to be typed using keyboard either in English or Hindi (Remington and Inscript keyboards) |
| Paper | Grade B | Types of Paper | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | General English | Online Descriptive | 3 | 100 | 90 Minutes | Descriptive Answers to be typed using keyboard |
| Paper 2 | Economic & Social Issues and Agriculture & Rural Development | Objective | 30 | 50 | 30 Minutes | |
| Descriptive Type | 6 questions will be asked, of which candidates will be required to attempt 4 questions [2 of 15 marks each (with difficulty level) and 2 of 10 marks each] | 50 | 90 Minutes | Descriptive Answers to be typed using keyboard either in English or Hindi (Remington and Inscript keyboards) | ||
| Total | 100 | 120 minutes | ||||
| Paper 3 | Development Economics, Statistics, Finance and Management | Objective | 30 | 50 | 30 Minutes | |
| Descriptive Type | 6 questions will be asked, of which candidates will be required to attempt 4 questions [2 of 15 marks each (with difficulty level) and 2 of 10 marks each] | 50 | 90 Minutes | Descriptive Answers to be typed using keyboard either in English or Hindi (Remington and Inscript keyboards) | ||
| Total | 100 | 120 minutes | ||||
NABARD Grade A & B Exam Pattern 2023 – Interview
NABARD Grade A & Grade B Interviews are held after you clear the second phase of the respective exams. The Interview is the third and last phase of the Grade A and Grade B Selection Process. That said, only the applicants who secure the minimum sectional cut offs and the overall cut offs, are permitted to show up for the NABARD Grade A or Grade B interview round. The NABARD Grade A interviews hold a weightage of 50 marks, whereas the NABARD Grade B interviews hold a weightage of 75 marks. You have an option to choose the interview language, i.e., either in English or Hindi, before the interview rounds as per your convenience. You will have to face an interviewing panel that will mostly ask questions from your background. The final merit list of both, the NABARD Grade A & Grade B exams will be based on the marks scored by the applicants in their Mains and Interview rounds.
NABARD Grade A & Grade B Syllabus: Phase 1
As mentioned earlier in the exam pattern there are 8 sections in the syllabus of Phase 1 exam of both NABARD Grade A & Grade B. These sections include:
- ARD (Agriculture & Rural Development)
- ESI (Economic & Social Issues).
The syllabus for ARD & ESI remains the same in Phase 1 & Phase 2 for both NABARD Grade A & Grade B. Only the difficulty level varies from Phase 1 to Phase 2 i.e., the difficulty level of ARD & ESI in Phase 2 is more than their difficulty level in Phase 1.
Thus, the syllabus for ARD & ESI are provided in their respective sections below while the NABARD Grade A syllabus for the remaining 6 sections of Phase 1 is provided in the table below:
| Name of Section | Topics Asked |
|---|---|
| Reasoning Ability | Puzzles & Seating Arrangement Syllogism Data Sufficiency Statement Based Questions (Verbal Reasoning) Inequality Miscellaneous Questions Input – Output Blood Relations Coding – Decoding |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Data Interpretations Quadratic Equations Number Series Simplification/Approximation Data Sufficiency Arithmetic Questions Quantity Comparisons Mathematical Inequalities |
| English Language | Reading Comprehension Cloze Test Sentence Improvement Spotting the Errors Fill in the Blanks Sentence Rearrangement Para Jumbles New Pattern Questions |
| General Awareness | Questions based on Current Affairs, Banking, Economy, and Insurance. Current Affairs questions will be based on recent appointments, sports, awards, and honours, new schemes, international and national news, latest science and technological developments. |
| Decision Making | Interpreting Information, Recognising Assumptions, Situation-based question, Case Studies |
| Computer Knowledge | Topics like Input – Output devices, Networking, DBMS, MS Office, Internet, History of Computer & Generations, Shortcuts. |
NABARD Grade A & Grade B Syllabus: Phase 1 & 2 – ARD
| Topic Name | Syllabus Detail |
|---|---|
| Agriculture | Definition, Meaning and its Branches Agronomy: Definition, Meaning, and Scope of Agronomy Classification of Field Crops Factors Affecting Crop Production Argo Climatic Zones Types of Cropping Systems and their Definitions Problems faced if land is dry – Seed Production & Processing, and 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 |
| Agri and Farm Engineering | Power and Machinery related to Farms Power Sources on the farm – animal, human, electrical, mechanical, wind, biomass and solar, biofuels Water Harvesting Structures Farm Ponds Agro Processing Modified & controlled storage, storage of perishable foods, bins, godowns, and grain silos. |
| Horticulture & Plantation | Meaning, Definition, and its Branches Production Technology and Agronomic practices with respect to various horticulture and plantation crops. Value and supply chain management of Horticulture & Plantation crops, Post-harvest management of the same. |
| Animal Husbandry | Farm animals and their role in the Indian economy. Animal husbandry methods in India. Commonly used terminologies pertaining to the different species of livestock. Utility classification of breeds of cattle. Introduction to common fodders and feeds, their utility and classification. Introduction to the industry of poultry in India. Common terms pertaining to poultry production and management. Socio-Economic implications of mixed farming on the farmer in India and the concept of mixed farming. Livestock and Poultry production and their obligatory and complementary relationship with that of agricultural farming. |
| Fisheries | Fisheries Resources Exploitation and management – marine water, freshwater, and brackish water. 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 Management, mensuration, and Economics regarding Forests, and the Principles of silviculture. Concepts of agroforestry, social forestry, joint forest management. Legislation and Policies regarding forests in India, 2015 Report on the State of forests in India. Ministry of Forest, Environment, and Climate change Ministry of Forest, Environment, and Climate Change and Recent developments under them. |
| Agriculture Extensions | Its role and importance, evaluations methods of extension programmes. KVK’s (Krishi Vigyan Kendra) role in the dissemination of technologies based on Agriculture. |
| Ecology and Climate Change | Ecology and how it is relevant to man, sustainable management and conservation of natural resources. Climate change and its causes, GHGs (Green House Gases), countries emitting high amounts of GHGs, and climate analysis. Distinguish between adaptation and mitigation. Climate change and its impact on rural livelihoods and agriculture. Carbon credit IPCC, UNFCCC, CoP meetings Funding mechanisms for climate change projects Indian government initiatives like SAPCC, NAPCC, INDC. |
| Present Scenario of agriculture and allied activities in India | Trends of recent times Major challenges in agriculture measures to enhance. Viability of agriculture Factors of Production in agriculture Agricultural Finance and Marketing Globalisation and its impacts on Indian Agriculture and the issue of food security. Concept and Types of Farm Management. |
| Rural Development | Concept of Rural Area Structure of the Indian Rural Economy. Rural sector of India and its importance and role. Social, Demographic, and Economic characteristics of the rural economy of India. Causes of Rural Backwardness. Rural population in India Occupational structure Agricultural Laborers, Handicrafts, Tribes/Forest dwellers, Farmers, Artisans, Traders and others in the rural parts of India. Changing trends in rural workforce and rural population in India. Problems and conditions of rural labour Issues and challenges in Hand-looms. Panchayati Raj Institutions – Functions and Working. NRLM, MGNREGA – Drinking Water Programmes in Rural India, Aajeevika, Swachh Bharat, Housing in Rural Area, PURA, and other programs related to rural development. |
NABARD Grade A & Grade B Syllabus: Phase 1 & 2 – ESI
| Topic Name | Syllabus Detail |
|---|---|
| Indian Economy and Its Nature | Institutional & Structural Features Economic Underdevelopment Opening Up the Indian Economy Globalization Economic Reforms in India Privatization |
| Inflation | Various trends regarding inflation and the impacts they have on Individual Income and National Economy |
| Employment Generation & Poverty Alleviation in India | Urban & Rural 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. |
| Financial Institutions and Rural banking in India | Reforms in the Financial Sector / Banking. |
| Economic Globalization | International Funding Institutions and their roles IMF & World Bank WTO Regional Economic Co-operation. |
| Social Structure in India | Multiculturalism Demographic Trends Urbanization 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 pertaining to the various castes and classes | Problems of scheduled tribes and scheduled castes Socio-economic programmes directed towards Scheduled castes, Scheduled tribes, and Other Backward Classes. |
| Positive Discrimination or steps to favour the underprivileged classes | Social Movements Indian Political Systems Human Development |
As mentioned earlier, the syllabus of ESI is exactly the same in Phase 1 & Phase 2, only the difficulty level varies.
Another thing to note down is that the Phase 2 papers of NABARD Grade A and Grade B have exactly the same syllabus, except for an extra paper called “Paper 3” in the NABARD Grade B phase 2 exam. I will be covering the syllabus for Paper 3 below.
NABARD Grade B Syllabus: Phase 2 – Paper 3
Paper 3 comprises subjects of Development Economics, Statistics, Finance & Management. The syllabus is provided below:
| Topic Name | Syllabus Detail |
|---|---|
| Development Economics | Measures of development Economic Underdevelopment Economic Development Models Rold of subsidies importance of savings and investment Importance of agriculture Terms of trade in agriculture Development issues in India – Post-2015 Agenda |
| Statistics | Basic statistical concepts Summarizing of data Frequency distribution Measures of Central Tendency Relative dispersion Elementary Probability Relative Frequency Approach sampling Axiomatic Approach Analysis of frequency distribution Correlation Regression Sampling Methods Time Series Analysis |
| Finance | Financial system in India Regulation of Banks & Financial Institutions Banking and Financial Institutions in India Financial System- Features, Characteristics and Issues Micro Finance Its Significance and Importance Union Budget Project finance- Assessment and Sources for block capital working capital Infrastructure financing- Risk Management in Banking Sector Sources of capital instruments and methods salient features Development finance- scope and needs of development finance Concept of project cycle management Private and Social Cost Benefit significance of development finance Financial Inclusion – Use of Technology Public Private Partnership |
| Management | its nature and scope; The Management Processes Planning Organisation Staffing Directing and Controlling The Role of a Manager in an Organisation |
| Leadership | The Tasks of a Leader Leadership Styles Leadership Theories A successful Leader versus an effective Leader |
| Human Resource Development | Concept of HRD Goals of HRD Performance Appraisal Potential appraisal and development Performance Counselling Career Planning Training and Development Rewards Employee Welfare Motivation Morale and Incentives Theories of Motivation How Managers Motivate Concept of Morale Factors determining morale Role of Incentives in Building up Morale |
| Communication | Steps in the Communication Process Communication Channels Oral versus Written Communication Verbal versus non-verbal Communication upward downward and lateral communication Barriers to Communication Role of Information Technology Corporate Governance Factors affecting Corporate Governance Mechanisms of Corporate Governance |
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