NABARD Grade A Notification 2026 Expected Soon: Dates & Vacancies

The official NABARD Grade A notification 2026 is expected between October and November 2026. The NABARD Grade A exam notification generally comes once a year. It recruits Assistant Managers (Grade A) across three services: RDBS, Legal, and Protocol & Security.

Based on the previous NABARD Grade A recruitment trends, you can expect around 80-100 vacancies in the upcoming 2026 NABARD Assistant Manager recruitment notification.

This article gives you all the details of the NABARD Grade A exam notification for the 2026 recruitment. It includes important expected exam dates, expected vacancies, and other key information mentioned in the NABARD Assistant Manager recruitment notification. 

NABARD Grade A Recruitment Overview

Here is an overview of the NABARD Grade A exam notification:

Does NABARD Grade A Notification Release Every Year?

• Yes, over the past decade, NABARD has consistently released the NABARD Grade A notification every year to recruit Assistant Manager (Grade A) officers.

What is the Frequency of the NABARD Grade A Notification?

• NABARD releases 1 Assistant Manager notification per year. 
• The exact release date may vary depending on administrative requirements and the completion of the previous recruitment cycle.

Does NABARD Release Separate Notifications for Different Streams?

• No, NABARD releases a single consolidated NABARD Grade A officer notification covering all streams under Grade A recruitment.
  • RDBS (Generalist)
    • General
    • Chartered Accountant (CA)
    • Company Secretary (CS)
    • Finance
    • Computer/IT
    • Agriculture Engineering
    • Plantation & Horticulture
    • Fisheries
    • Food Processing
    • Land Development & Soil Science
    • Civil Engineering
    • Electrical Engineering
    • Media Specialist
    • Economics
  • Legal
  • Protocol & Security
• All stream-wise vacancies, eligibility criteria, and exam details are provided within the same notification.

Is the NABARD Grade A Notification 2026 Available in Hindi?

No, the NABARD Grade A notification is released only in English. 

When is the NABARD Grade A 2026 Notification Expected?

The NABARD Grade A notification 2026 is expected between October and November 2026.

Past 5-Year NABARD Grade A Notification Trends

There is no fixed release month or date for the NABARD Grade A officer notification:

• 2021: 16 July 2021
• 2022: 17 July 2022
• 2023: 1 September 2023
• 2024: 27 July 2024
• 2025: 4 November 2025

Trend Analysis:

• Till 2022: Notifications were consistently released in July
• 2023: Delayed to September
• 2024: Timeline normalized back to July
• 2025: Significant delay, released in November

Here are the important dates of the NABARD Grade A exam notification 2026:

Why is the NABARD Grade A Notification 2026 Expected in November?

• NABARD fills some Grade A vacancies through internal promotions (DA to Grade A).
• Only after internal promotions are complete does NABARD release the external recruitment notification.
• In 2026, DA to Grade A internal promotion interviews are scheduled for 5 October 2026.
• Final results for internal promotions are expected by 20 October 2026.
• Once internal vacancies are finalized, NABARD will know the remaining count for external recruitment.
• Based on this, the NABARD Grade A 2026 notification is most likely in November 2026.

What Dates are Mentioned in the NABARD Grade A Notification?

The NABARD Assistant Manager recruitment notification includes the following key dates:

• Notification release date
• Phase 1 exam date
• Phase 2 exam date
• Application start date
• Opening date for online registration
• Closing date for online registration
• Last date for fee payment
• Cut-off date for age eligibility
• Cut-off date for educational qualification

The following details are usually NOT mentioned in the notification:

• Phase 1 & Phase 2 results dates
• Cut-off marks
• Interview schedule
• Admit card release dates

These are released separately on the official website at a later stage.

Where Can You Download the NABARD Grade A 2026 Notification PDF?

Click on the direct link to download the NABARD Grade A Notification 2026 (the link will be active once NABARD releases the Assistant Manager 2026 notification).

To understand what to expect in the 2026 notification, you can download and refer to the latest NABARD Grade A Notification 2025 PDF.

Below are the steps you need to follow to download the official NABARD Grade A 2026 exam notification.

• Step 1: Visit the official website of NABARD.
• Step 2: Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on “career notice”.
• Step 3: Find and click on the “Recruitment to the Post of Assistant Manager in Grade ‘A’ (RDBS)/(Legal)/(Protocol & Security Service) – 2026.”
• Step 4: Click on the advertisement link.
• Step 5: Download the latest NABARD Grade A.

How Many Vacancies Are Expected in NABARD Grade A 2026?

As per the past trends, you can expect approximately 80-100 vacancies in the NABARD Grade A 2026 exam recruitment.

Here are the past five years’ vacancy trends.

Once the official NABARD Assistant Manager recruitment notification 2026 is released, stream-wise and category-wise vacancies will be updated here.

NABARD Grade A Category-wise Vacancies 2026

The exact category-wise 2026 vacancy will be disclosed in the official NABARD Grade A exam notification. Meanwhile, you can refer to the 2025 data to get an idea:

NABARD Grade A Stream-wise Vacancies 2026

The stream-wise vacancy distribution for 2026 will be announced in the official NABARD Grade A exam notification. Meanwhile, refer to the 2025 data:

Are There Vacancies for PwBD Candidates?

Yes, NABARD provides reservation for PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities) candidates as per government guidelines. The details are mentioned in the official notification.

What Information is Mentioned in the NABARD Grade A Notification?

Let’s discuss the important information that is usually mentioned in the NABARD Assistant Manager recruitment notification, other than exam dates and the number of vacancies:

1. Posts and Services in NABARD Grade A

NABARD recruits Assistant Managers in Grade A across three services:

Rural Development Banking Service (RDBS)

• Generalist (General discipline) and 13 specialized disciplines.
• Core banking, rural credit, and development work.

Legal Service

• Legal references, court matters, drafting pleadings, and compliance work

Protocol & Security Service

• Watch and ward, surveillance via CCTV, protocol duties
• Security of bank properties and office/residential premises
• Staff management for security operations
• Only Ex-Servicemen (commissioned officers) are eligible for this post

2. Salary of NABARD Grade A Officer

As per the latest NABARD Assistant Manager notification, below are the NABARD Grade A Salary details: 

• Basic Pay: ₹62,500 per month.
• Initial Monthly Gross Emoluments: ₹1,60,699/- (approximately).
• Allowances: Grade Allowance, Dearness Allowance, Special Grade Allowance, House Rent Allowance, etc.

Allowances:

• Dearness Allowance
• Local Compensatory Allowance
• House Rent Allowance
• Grade Allowance

Perquisites:

• Bank accommodation or leased accommodation (at all centres)
• Vehicle maintenance reimbursement for official use
• Newspaper, internet, telephone reimbursement
• Book grant and residence furnishing allowance
• Free dispensary + OPD/hospitalization reimbursement
• Festival advance (interest-free)
• Leave Travel Concession
• Concessional loans: Housing, Car, Education, Consumer Articles, Personal Computer

Retirement & Insurance:

• New Pension Scheme (NPS)
• Gratuity
• Group Term Insurance

Probation:

• Initial period: 2 years
• May be extended by up to 1 year at NABARD’s discretion

Posting:

• Anywhere in India, including rural areas

For a detailed salary breakup, check the NABARD Grade A Salary article.

3. NABARD Grade A Eligibility Criteria

The following eligibility criteria are mentioned in the official NABARD Grade A notification: 

• Age Limit: 21–30 years as of the notification date.
• Educational Qualifications: Either of the following:
  • Bachelor’s degree in any subject with 60% marks 
  • Master’s degree in any subject with 55% marks
• Nationality: Indian 
• Number of Attempts: NO restriction

Age relaxation and minimum marks relaxation are provided to the reserved categories.

For detailed eligibility criteria, including age relaxations and how to convert your CGPA to a percentage, check out our NABARD Grade A Eligibility Criteria article. 

4. Selection Process of the NABARD Grade A Exam

As per the NABARD Assistant Manager notification, the selection procedure is a 3-stage process:

1. Phase 1
2. Phase 2
3. Interview

Final Selection: Your final selection is based on the aggregate marks scored in Phase 2 + interview.

For a detailed pattern and marking scheme, check out our NABARD Grade A Pattern article.

5. NABARD Grade A Syllabus

The official NABARD Assistant Manager notification specifies only the ESI and ARD syllabus, which is relevant for both Phase 1 and 2. 

ESI Syllabus

• Nature of Indian Economy
• Inflation
• Poverty Alleviation and Employment Generation in India
• Population Trends
• Agriculture
• Industry
• Rural banking and financial institutions in India
• Globalisation of Economy
• Social Structure in India
• Education
• Social Justice
• Social Movements
• Indian Political System
• Human Development
• Current Economic and Social Issues

ARD Syllabus

• Agriculture
• Agronomy
• Cropping Systems
• Seed production
• Meteorology
• Farming System
• Soil and Water Conservation
• Water Resource
• Farm and Agri Engineering
• Plantation & Horticulture
• Animal Husbandry
• Fisheries
• Forestry
• Agriculture Extensions
• Ecology and Climate Change
• Present Scenario of Indian Agriculture and Allied Activities
• Rural Development
• Rural Population in India

Read the article for a detailed subject-wise NABARD Grade A syllabus for Phase 1 and Phase 2.

6. NABARD Grade A Exam Application

Application is fully online at www.nabard.org/career.

Step-by-step process:

• Go to NABARD website
• Click on “Career Notices”.
• Click on “Apply Here”.
• Select “Click here for New Registration” → Enter name, contact, and email ID
• Note your Provisional Registration Number and Password — sent to email and mobile
• Fill the form, save using “Save and Next”
• Upload all required documents
• Preview → Click “Final Submit” — no changes possible after this
• Pay the fee through the integrated gateway
• Download and print the e-receipt and application form

Application Rules:

• Apply for only one post/discipline.
• Multiple applications not allowed. Only the last valid paid application is considered.
• Fee on other applications is forfeited.
• No change possible after Final Submit.

DigiLocker Integration:
Candidates can voluntarily link Aadhaar, educational certificates, and personal documents. Speeds up verification.

Documents to Upload During Registration:

• Photograph (4.5 cm × 3.5 cm, colour, white background, 20–50 KB).
• Signature (white paper, black ink, NOT in capitals, 10–20 KB).
• Left thumb impression (white paper, black/blue ink, 20–50 KB).
• Handwritten declaration (English, own handwriting, NOT in capitals, 50–100 KB).
• Live photograph: Captured via webcam or mobile during registration.

Documents at Examination Centre:

• Phase-wise call letter (with photograph affixed)
• Original photo ID + photocopy
• Aadhaar card (for biometric authentication)

Accepted Photo IDs:
PAN Card, Passport, Permanent Driving Licence, Voter’s Card, Bank Passbook with photo, Aadhaar, E-Aadhaar, Employee ID, College ID, Gazetted Officer photo ID, Bar Council ID.

Not Accepted:
Ration Card, Learner’s Driving Licence

Name Change Documents (if applicable):
Original Gazette Notification / Original Marriage Certificate / Affidavit in original.

Items NOT Allowed in Examination Hall:
Calculator, Mobile Phone, Bluetooth devices, any electronic instrument or communication gadget.

Documents at Interview:

• Interview call letter + photo ID
• Educational qualification certificates
• Caste/EWS/PwBD certificates as applicable
• OBC Non-Creamy Layer certificate (issued on/after 01-04-2026 for 2026 cycle)
• NOC for government/PSU/bank employees
• Discharge certificate where applicable
• Discipline-specific documents (Bar Council certificate for Legal candidates)

Documents Before Appointment:

• Medical fitness certificate from NABARD-approved Medical Officer.
• Discharge certificate from previous employer where applicable.

Outstation Interview Travel Reimbursement:
Eligible outstation candidates are reimbursed for to-and-fro second-class AC rail fare (Mail/Express only) or bus fare through the shortest route, whichever is lower. Local conveyance is not reimbursed.

To make it easier, you can refer to a step-by-step NABARD Grade A registration guide that explains how to fill out the NABARD Grade A application form correctly.

NABARD Grade A 2026 Application Fee

• General/OBC: ₹850 (₹700 fee + ₹150 intimation)
• SC/ST/PWBD: ₹150 (intimation only)
• Add-ons: GST or maybe bank charges

7. NABARD Grade A Exam Centers

Various centers for the Phase 1 and 2 exams are also listed in the NABARD Grade A notification.

Interview Centres:
Selected from Phase II centres. Mentioned in the interview call letter.

Important Rules:

• No change of centre after submission.
• NABARD can cancel, add, or allot a different centre than chosen.
• Choice of centre is final once submitted.

8. Identity and Biometric Verification Requirements

At Examination Centre:

• Call letter + original photo ID + photocopy.
• Name on call letter must exactly match the photo ID.
• Doubt on Identity means non-admission to exam.

Aadhaar-Linked Biometric Authentication:

• Mandatory from Phase II onwards.
• Thumb impression and photograph captured.
• Final decision of biometric authority is binding.

Biometric Precautions:

• Remove ink, mehndi, or colour from fingers before exam.
• Ensure fingers are clean and dry.
• If the primary thumb is injured, notify the test centre immediately; an alternative finger/toe impression may be taken.

Legal Jurisdiction:
All disputes arising from this recruitment can only be filed in Mumbai courts.

9. Scribe Provisions in NABARD Grade A

Who can use a Scribe?

• Visually impaired candidates.
• Candidates with permanently affected writing speed.
• Persons under Section 2(s) of RPwD Act 2016 with less than 40% disability but difficulty in writing.

Key Rules:

• Candidate arranges own scribe at own cost.
• Scribe cannot be another candidate in the same exam.
• One scribe can assist only one candidate.
• Scribe can be from any academic stream.
• For specialized disciplines, scribe must be from a different stream than prescribed for the post.
• Must indicate scribe requirement in the online application. No requests after submission.

Compensatory Time: 20 minutes extra per hour of examination

For candidates with less than 40% disability:

• Must produce a certificate from a Government healthcare institution confirming writing limitation.
• Valid for a maximum of 6 months.

Certificates Required:

• Appendix III: Certificate for persons with specified disability having difficulty in writing
• Appendix IV: Letter of Undertaking by candidate using a scribe

10. NABARD Grade A Pre-Recruitment Training

Pre-Recruitment Training (PRT) is a free coaching programme offered by NABARD to help reserved category candidates prepare for the Phase I exam.

It is conducted online before the preliminary examination.

• Available for SC, ST, OBC, and PwBD candidates.
• Free of cost.
• Online mode.
• Conducted before Phase I exam.
• Must opt-in during the online application. No subsequent requests entertained.
• Hindi training available only if sufficient requests received.
• Attending PRT does not guarantee selection.

11. Action Taken Against Misconduct or Unfair Means

NABARD takes a zero-tolerance approach to misconduct. Any candidate found guilty of unfair means at any stage of the recruitment process, including after joining faces strict action.

This applies to both the examination hall and the application form.

Prohibited Conduct:

• Using unfair means in exam or interview
• Impersonation or procuring impersonation
• Disclosing, reproducing, or transmitting exam content
• Carrying mobile phones, Bluetooth devices, or electronic gadgets
• Providing false, tampered, or fabricated information
• Suppressing material facts in the application

Consequences:

• Disqualification from current exam
• Permanent or temporary debarment from all NABARD recruitments
• Criminal prosecution
• Termination of service if already joined

Response Analysis:
NABARD analyses responses of all candidates to detect shared answers. Suspected candidates’ results are withheld and candidature cancelled.

12. Forms & Certificates Attached in the NABARD Grade A Notification

The official NABARD Grade A notification PDF includes the following appendices:

Appendix I: Disability Certificate (Single Disability)

• For candidates with one specified disability
• Issued by a notified Medical Authority
• Mentions nature of disability, affected body part, disability percentage, and whether permanent or temporary
• Includes UDID enrolment number

Appendix II: Disability Certificate (Multiple Disabilities)

• For candidates with more than one specified disability
• Disability-wise assessment table for each condition
• Overall disability percentage mentioned
• Issued by a notified Medical Authority

Appendix III: Certificate for Persons With Specified Disability Having Difficulty in Writing

• For candidates with less than 40% disability who need a scribe
• Confirms writing limitation and scribe requirement
• Issued by Chief Medical Officer / Civil Surgeon / Chief District Medical Officer
• Signed by a panel including Orthopedic/PMR Specialist, Clinical Psychologist, Neurologist (if available), Occupational Therapist (if available)
• Valid for maximum 6 months

Appendix IV: Letter of Undertaking by Candidate Using Own Scribe

• Filled and signed by the candidate
• Mentions scribe’s name, educational qualification, and confirmation that scribe’s qualification is one step below the candidate’s
• Candidate undertakes responsibility if scribe’s qualification is found misrepresented

How Has the NABARD Grade A Notification Changed Over the Years?

The NABARD Grade A notification has seen several important changes over the years, across vacancies, salary, exam pattern, and registration process.

Here is a summary of the most significant ones.

Vacancy Changes:

• Peaked at 168 in 2022, declined to 91 in 2025
• Consistent downward trend since 2022
• Backlog vacancies included in recent cycles for ST and PwBD categories

Salary Changes:

• Basic pay revised with a 40% hike, from ₹44,500 to ₹62,500
• Gross monthly emoluments revised from approximately ₹1,00,000 to ₹1,60,699
• The 2025 notification (Advertisement No. 05/Grade A/2025-26) is the first to reflect the revised basic pay of ₹62,500

Eligibility Changes:

• New qualifications added: CFA, FRM, Data Science, AI/ML for Computer/IT discipline
• EWS reservation introduced as per Government of India guidelines (Central Government introduced EWS reservation in 2019 — NABARD followed the same year)
• PwBD provisions updated per RPwD Act 2016 with expanded disability categories

Exam Pattern Changes:

• Psychometric Test introduced in the 2023 cycle. Conducted in January 2024 for the first time
• Made mandatory for all services from that cycle onwards
• Negative marking of 1/4th applies in both Phase I and Phase II

Registration Changes:

• DigiLocker integration added in recent cycles
• Live photograph capture made mandatory during registration
• Biometric data capture introduced from Phase II onwards

Final Thoughts

The NABARD Grade A notification 2026 is expected in November 2026, with around 80-100 vacancies.

The competition is tough. Vacancies have been declining since 2022. And the selection process filters candidates at every stage: Phase I, Phase II, Psychometric Test, and Interview.

Most candidates wait for the notification before they start preparing. That gap is exactly where you can get ahead.

The syllabus does not change dramatically year on year. The exam pattern is stable. Candidates who crack NABARD Grade A almost always start their NABARD Grade A preparation months before the notification drops.

Best of Luck!