NABARD Grade A Complete Pattern

While the NABARD Grade A exam is conducted in two shifts, the exact shift timings are mentioned in the candidate’s admit letter. To give you an idea of the shift timings, here are the shift timings of the NABARD Grade A 2024 exam.

Both the Phases of the NABARD Grade A 2023 were held in two shifts:

Phase 1 2024 (Prelims)

• Reporting Time for Shift 1: 7:30 AM
• Reporting Time for Shift 2: 11:30 AM

Phase 2 2024 (Mains)

• Reporting Time for Morning Shift (Paper 1): 8:00 AM
• Reporting Time for Afternoon Shift (Paper 2): 1:00 PM

Note: The exam usually starts 30-60 minutes after the reporting time.

The entire NABARD Grade A selection process takes around 6 months, from the release of the official notification to the final results. For instance, the notification for the NABARD Grade A 2023 exam was released on 2 Sep 2023, and the final results were out on 21 Feb 2024: approximately 6 months.

According to NABARD’s recent notification, the maximum calling ratio to qualify for the main examination is 1:25. This means the candidates called for the mains exam are around 25 times the available vacancies. However, this ratio can be reduced based on the bank’s discretion.

Based on the official notification from NABARD, the interview may be conducted at some of the locations that served as examination centers for the Phase 1 or Phase 2 exam. However, the final location will be mentioned in the interview call letter.  

Generally, the NABARD Grade A exam is conducted once every year.

While there is no official information about the dress code for the NABARD Grade A interview, it’s always recommended that you dress professionally. 

For instance, male candidates can wear a dark-colored blazer, a light shirt, a tie (optional), matching pants, and formal socks & shoes. Females, on the other hand, can go for a simple cotton saree or blazer outfit just like their male counterparts.

Here’s what will happen:

• If multiple candidates manage to score the same aggregate marks, the one with the higher marks in the Mains examination will be ranked higher. 
• If candidates scored equal marks in the Mains examination as well, the one with higher educational qualifications will be ranked higher.
• If the educational qualifications also come out to be the same, the candidate who’s older will be ranked higher.

Here are the basic differences between the NABARD Grade A and the RBI Grade B pattern:

RBI Grade B has 3 Phases:

• Phase 1 – 4 Subjects – 200 Marks
• Phase 2 – 3 Papers  – 300 Marks
• Phase 3 –  Interview – 75 Marks

NABARD Grade A also has 3 Phases, but with varying details:

• Phase 1 – 8 Subjects – 200 Marks
• Phase 2 – 2 Papers  – 200 Marks
• Phase 3 –  Interview – 50 Marks

To learn about the pattern differences in detail, click this link: NABARD Grade A Vs. RBI Grade B.

Here are the basic differences between the NABARD Grade A and the SEBI Grade A pattern:

SEBI Grade A has 3 Phases:

• Phase 1 – 2 Papers – 200 Marks
• Phase 2 – 2 Papers  – 200 Marks
• Phase 3 –  Interview – 50 Marks (marks obtained in Mains and interview will get a weightage of 85% and 15% respectively)

NABARD Grade A also has 3 Phases, but with varying details:

• Phase 1 – 1 Paper (8 Subjects) – 200 Marks
• Phase 2 – 2 Papers  – 200 Marks
• Phase 3 –  Interview – 50 Marks (no official information on weightage)

To learn more about the SEBI Grade A exam pattern for a better comparison, click this link: SEBI Grade A 2024 Pattern & Syllabus.