Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) is an important subject for success in Phase 1 and 2 of the NABARD Grade A exam. As a merit section in Phase 1 and a core component of Phase 2, a thorough understanding of ARD syllabus is crucial. It enables you to identify key topics and prioritize them and better strategize your preparation. 

Below, we have mentioned the ARD syllabus of the NABARD Grade A exam, along with the important topics.

ARD Syllabus for NABARD Grade A

Following is the ARD syllabus as per the NABARD Grade A notification. 

1. 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 agriculture; Seed production, seed processing, seed village; Meteorology: weather parameters, crop-weather advisory; Precision Farming, System of Crop Intensification, organic farming.
2. Soil and Water Conservation: Major soil types, soil fertility, fertilisers, soil erosion, soil conservation, watershed management.
3. 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. 
4. Farm and Agri Engineering: Farm Machinery and Power, Sources of power on the farm- human, animal, mechanical, electrical, wind, solar and biomass, bio fuels, water harvesting structures, farm ponds, watershed management, Agro Processing, Controlled and modified storage, perishable food storage, godowns, bins and grain silos. 
5. Plantation & Horticulture: Definition, meaning and its 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. 
6. Animal Husbandry: Farm animals and their role in Indian economy, Animal husbandry methods in India, common terms pertaining to different species of livestock, Utility classification of breeds of cattle. Introduction to common feeds and fodders, their classification and utility. Introduction to poultry industry in India (past, present and future status), Common terms pertaining to poultry production and management. 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. 
7. 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 pertaining to fish production.
8. Forestry: Basic concepts of Forest and Forestry. Principles of silviculture, forest mensuration, forest management and forest economics. Concepts of social forestry, agroforestry, 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. 
9. Agriculture Extensions: Its importance and role, methods of evaluation of extension programmes, Role of Krishi Vigyan Kendra’s (KVK) in dissemination of Agricultural technologies. 
10. Ecology and Climate Change: Ecology and its relevance to man, natural resources, their sustainable management and conservation. Causes of climate change, Green House Gases (GHG), major GHG emitting countries, climate analysis, distinguish between adaptation and mitigation, climate change impact to agriculture and rural livelihood, carbon credit, IPCC, UNFCCC, CoP meetings, funding mechanisms for climate change projects, initiatives by Govt of India, NAPCC, SAPCC, INDC.
11. 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 EconomyImportance 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 Labourers, Artisans, Handicrafts, Traders, Forest dwellers/tribes and others in rural India- Trends of change in rural population and rural work force; problems and conditions of rural labour; Issues and challenges in Handlooms 

Panchayati Raj Institutions – Functions and Working. MGNREGA, NRLM – Aajeevika, Rural Drinking Water Programmes, Swachh Bharat, Rural Housing, PURA and other rural development programmes.

Here, you can download the NABARD Grade A PYQs from 2023 to 2019.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Name *

Email *

Phone *

What have you done in your graduation? *SelectB.Sc (Agriculture)B.Sc (Non medical)B.E./B.TechB.A.B.B.AB.ComBCAOthers

Are you a working candidate? *SelectYesNo

Which year are you targeting to clear NABARD Grade A exam? *SelectPreparing for 2024 seriouslyPreparing for 2025 but will give 2024 attempt alsoPreparing for 2025 onlyOthers

Are you preparing for any other exam along with NABARD Grade A? *SelectYesNo

Download Free eBook

Important Topics of ARD for NABARD Grade A

To help you identify the important topics for ARD, we have done a detailed analysis of PYQs for the last few years. Based on our analysis, here are the most, moderately, and least important ARD topics for the NABARD Grade A Phase 1 and 2 exams:

Most Important Topics of ARD Static for NABARD Grade A

• Soil and Water Conservation
• Animal Husbandry and Plantation Crops 
• Plantations and Horticulture Crops
• Agronomy and Field Crops
• Farming System 
• Agriculture Extension 
• Cropping System and Cropping Pattern 
• Forestry 

Moderately Important Topics of ARD Static for NABARD Grade A

• Introduction to Agriculture
• Agrometeorology 
• Seed and Sowing 
• Farm and Agriculture Engineering 
• Water Resources and Irrigation Management 
• Fisheries

Least Important Topics of ARD Static for NABARD Grade A

• Important Agronomic Practices
• Agriculture Economics
• Ecology and Climate Change
• Rural Development

Important Notes: 

• These topics cover both objective and descriptive sections. 
• Agriculture Extension is moderately important for Phase 1

Note: The above list of important topics is solely to help you streamline your preparation and make it more efficient. It does not indicate that you should skip the rest of the syllabus.

Most Important Topics of ARD Current Affairs for NABARD Grade A

• Government Schemes related to the Syllabus include Schemes like MGNREGA and NRLM, and Ministries like the Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Fisheries, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Ministry of Social Justice etc.
• Reports: Census 2011, Agri Census, Livestock Census, NABARD Annual Report, Reports Released by NABARD, MSP, Advanced Estimates etc.

Moderately Important Topics of ARD Current Affairs for NABARD Grade A

• Agriculture Reports: Reports released by ministries related to agriculture, such as the Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, etc.

Least Important Topics of ARD Current Affairs for NABARD Grade A

• Agriculture Current Affairs related to the syllabus.

Important Note: These topics cover both objective and descriptive sections. 

Note: The above list of important topics is solely to help you streamline your preparation and make it more efficient. It does not indicate that you should skip the rest of the syllabus.

Join NABARD Grade A LIVE Workshop

📝 Important Topics 💡 Practical Strategy

REGISTER for FREE →

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)