Are you ready to join the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development as an Assistant Manager? If yes, then mark your calendars for the upcoming NABARD Grade A exam! The official notification will be out in July 2023, followed by the first phase of the exam in August 2023. If you clear the prelims, you will face the mains exam in September 2023. But don’t get too comfortable with these dates, as they might change due to unforeseen circumstances. So keep an eye on our latest blogs or the NABARD website for any news or updates about the exam date.
Take 1 Free NABARD Grade A Prelims Mock Test for 2nd May 2023👈
Here are some important details about the NABARD Grade A exam 2023:
| Parameter | Details |
| Exam | NABARD Grade A exam 2023 |
| Stages of selection | Prelims, Mains, Interview |
| Type of questions | Prelims- Objective Mains- Descriptive (Paper-I and II) Objective (Paper-II) |
| Total Questions | Prelims- 200Mains- 37 |
| Maximum marks | Prelims- 200Mains- 200 |
| Duration | Prelims- 120 minutesMains- 90 minutes (Paper-I) 120 minutes (Paper II) |
| Marking Scheme | Prelims- 0.25 marks negative marking |
The exam pattern for NABARD Grade A Prelims and Mains 2023 is different. There will be sectional timing in the Mains exam, whereas, the Prelims exam will be conducted for 120 minutes only.
The NABARD Grade A Prelims exam 2023 will be standard for recruitment for all posts of Grade A Officer. This will be an objective type of online test.
Here’s the NABARD Grade A exam pattern 2023 of the Prelims exam:
| Sr. No. | Name of the Test | No. of Qs. | Max Marks | Version | Time |
| 1. | Test of Reasoning | 20 | 20 | Bilingual – Hindi and English except for the test of English language | Composite time of 120 Minutes for all the tests together |
| 2. | English Language | 30 | 30 | ||
| 3. | Computer Knowledge | 20 | 20 | ||
| 4. | Quantitative Aptitude | 20 | 20 | ||
| 5. | Decision Making | 10 | 10 | ||
| 6. | General Awareness | 20 | 20 | ||
| 7. | Eco & Soc. Issues (with a focus on Rural India) | 40 | 40 | ||
| 8 | Agriculture & Rural Development with Emphasis on Rural India | 40 | 40 | ||
| Total | 200 | 200 | 120 Minutes |
Note: The NABARD Grade A Prelims 2023 will be in Hindi or English. The English exam will be only in English. The Qualifying Section tests Reasoning, English, Computer, Quantitative and Decision-Making skills. The Merit Section tests General Awareness, Environmental and Social Issues, Agriculture and Rural Development (all with a rural focus). Only the Merit Section scores will decide who advances to the Main Exam.
The NABARD Grade A Mains exam 2023 will be a descriptive and objective online test. NABARD Grade A exam pattern 2023 for the Mains exam contains:-
To get a better idea about the marking scheme, section-wise marks weightage check the NABARD Grade A exam pattern 2023 given below for all the posts.
For the Generalist Post, the exam will have two papers. Paper-I, which is the same for all posts, will be descriptive in nature. Paper II will be on Economic and Social Issues. Check the pattern here.
| Paper | Grade A | Type of Paper | No. of Question | Mark | Duration | Remarks |
| Paper I | General English | Online Descriptive | 3 | 100 | 90 Min | Descriptive Answers are to be typed using a keyboard |
| Paper II | Economic and Social Issues | Objective | 30 | 50 | 30 Min | |
| 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 Min | Descriptive Answers are to be typed using a keyboard either in English or Hindi (Remington and Inscript keyboards) |
Take 1 Free NABARD Grade A Prelims Mock Test for 2nd May 2023👈
For the Generalist Post, the exam will have two papers as well. Paper-I is the same for all posts. Paper II will be Stream specific. Check the pattern here.
| Paper | Grade A | Type of Paper | No. of Qs. | Marks | Duration | Remarks |
| Paper I | General English | Online Descriptive | 3 | 100 | 90 Minutes | Descriptive Answers to be typed using keyboard |
| Paper II | Stream Specific Paper | 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 are to be typed using a keyboard either in English or Hindi (Remington and Inscript keyboards) |
Take 1 Free NABARD Grade A Prelims Mock Test for 2nd May 2023👈
Paper II for the Rajbhasha post will be stream specific. There will be 6 questions from which candidates have to answer only 4. It will have two sections- one objective and one descriptive. Check the complete exam pattern here.
| Paper | Grade A | Type of Paper | No. of Qs. | Marks | Duration | Remarks |
| Paper I | General English | Online Descriptive | 3 | 100 | 90 Minutes | Descriptive Answers are to be typed using a keyboard |
| Paper II | Stream Specific Paper | 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 are to be typed using the keyboard in Hindi ( with Remington/Inscript keyboard) |
Note:-
Take 1 Free NABARD Grade A Prelims Mock Test for 2nd May 2023👈
If you secure a sufficiently high rank in the exam, you will be called for the Interview. The Final Merit List will be prepared based on marks obtained by you in Mains and Interview. The Interview will be held for a total of 50 marks. The weightage of the interview is as mentioned:-
Take 1 Free NABARD Grade A Prelims Mock Test for 2nd May 2023👈
Prelims and Mains have different subjects in the NABARD Grade A syllabus. Candidates have to know these subjects well to qualify for the Grade A post. The Prelims syllabus includes Reasoning Ability, English Language, Computer Knowledge, General Awareness, and Quantitative Aptitude. The Mains syllabus consists of an online descriptive test and an online objective test with topics for each subject.
The prelims exam is the first stage of the selection process. You need to score well in the NABARD Grade A prelims exam to qualify for the mains exam.
Given below is the NABARD Grade A syllabus for the Prelims exam:
| Name of Section | Topics asked |
| Reasoning Ability | Syllogism Inequality Puzzles & Seating arrangement Data sufficiency Statement-based questions (Verbal reasoning) Miscellaneous Questions Input-Output Blood relations Coding-Decoding |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Number Series Data Interpretations Quadratic Equations Simplification/ Approximation Data Sufficiency Arithmetic Questions Quantity Comparisons Mathematical Inequalities |
| English Language | Cloze test Reading Comprehension Fill in the blanks Para Jumbles Sentence improvement Spotting the errors Sentence rearrangement New pattern questions |
| General Awareness | The questions in this test will be from Current Affairs Banking and Economy, and Insurance. In current affairs, questions can be asked about recent appointments, awards, honors, sports, new schemes, national and international news, and the latest developments in science and technology. |
| Computer Knowledge | This section covers topics like Networking, Input-output devices, DBMS, MS Office, the Internet, the History of computers & generations, and Shortcuts. |
The NABARD Grade A mains syllabus includes subject-specific questions, therefore applicants must be well-versed in all important sections of the syllabus for the mentioned topics. Phase 2 of the NABARD Grade A exam 2023 consists of an Online Objective test & Online Descriptive Test. The subject wise of mains examination is listed below:-
Essay, Précis writing, Comprehension, and Business/Office Correspondence. The paper on English shall be framed in a manner to assess the writing skills, including expressions and understanding of the topic.
This paper will include the subjects of Economic & Social issues. You must know what the specific topics that you have to study for this paper are. Here are the names of the topics:-
Questions in this subject will be from the sections on the nature of the Indian economy, Inflation, Agriculture, etc. Check the specific topic names from the table given below and make your study plan accordingly.
| Name of Section | Topics asked |
| Nature of the Indian Economy | Structural and Institutional features Economic Underdevelopment Opening up the Indian Economy Globalization Economic Reforms in India Privatization. |
| Inflation | Trends in Inflation & their Impact on the National Economy and Individual Income. |
| Poverty Alleviation and Employment Generation in India | Population Growth and Economic Development Population Policy in India. |
| Population Trends | Population Growth and Economic DevelopmentPopulation 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 the Banking/ Financial sector. |
| Globalization of Economy | Role of International Funding Institutions IMF & World Bank WTO Regional Economic Cooperation. |
| 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 | Problems of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes Socio-economic programmes for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes and other backward classes. |
| Positive Discrimination in favor of the underprivileged | Social Movements Indian Political Systems Human Development |
Take 1 Free NABARD Grade A Prelims Mock Test for 2nd May 2023👈
The questions for this post will be on the subjects of Agriculture, Water resources, Soil & Water Conservation, Plantation, etc. Make sure you do not miss any topic. The NABARD Grade A rural development syllabus covers the topics and subjects around the methods and concepts related to development in rural areas.
| Name of Section | Topics asked |
| 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 – 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 Fertilizers 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 Agro-Processing Controlled and modified storage, perishable food storage, godowns, bins, and grain silos. |
| Plantation & Horticulture | Definition, meaning, and 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 about 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 about poultry production and management The concept of mixed farming and its relevance to socio-economic conditions of farmers in India Complementary 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 about 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 programs Role of Krishi Vigyan Kendra’s (KVK) in disseminating agricultural technologies. |
| Ecology and Climate Change | Ecology and its relevance to man, natural resources, sustainable management, and conservation Causes of climate change, Greenhouse Gases (GHG), major GHG emitting countries, climate analysis Distinguish between adaptation and mitigation Climate change impact on agriculture and rural livelihoods 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 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 Laborers, 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 labor Issues and challenges in Hand-looms Panchayati Raj Institutions – Functions and Working. MGNREGA, NRLM – Aajeevika, Rural Drinking Water Programmes, Swachh Bharat, Rural Housing, PURA, and other rural development programs. |
Take 1 Free NABARD Grade A Prelims Mock Test for 2nd May 2023👈
You know what to do and how to do it, but do you know how well you can do it? NABARD Grade A Mock Tests will show you your strengths and weaknesses and help you cover the entire syllabus quickly. Take action now and take two Mock Tests today and get ready for the real exam. Try a free NABARD Grade A Mock Test and learn how to measure your performance. Do this and you will be surprised by your progress in a few days.
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