Whether you’re already preparing for the NABARD Assistant Manager exam or planning to do so, understanding the pattern of the NABARD Grade A exam and it’s syllabus is extremely crucial. With the right information, you can choose relevant study material, prioritize high-weightage sections, and create a preparation strategy that boosts your chances of success in the NABARD Grade A 2024 exam.
Based on the official notification, let’s break down each part of the NABARD Grade A exam pattern.
NABARD Grade A 2024 Pattern
The NABARD Grade A exam is divided into 3 phases, including:
- Phase 1 (Preliminary)
- Phase 2 (Mains)
- Phase 3 (Interview)
Let’s first understand the NABARD Grade A 2024 pattern for Phase 1.
Phase 1 Pattern of NABARD Grade A
Here’s a simplified breakdown of the NABARD Grade A 2024 Phase 1 pattern.
Number of Subjects in the NABARD Grade A Phase 1
NABARD Grade A Phase 1 exam is a single paper comprising of the following 8 subjects:
- Reasoning
- English
- Computer Knowledge
- Quantitative Aptitude
- Decision Making
- General Awareness
- Economic and Social Issues
- Agriculture and Rural Development
These 8 subjects fall under 2 categories:
- Non Merit Subjects: Subjects 1 to 5 in the above list fall under this category. For the non merit subjects, you need to clear the minimum cut-off for every subject.
- Merit Subjects: Subjects 6 to 8 in the above list come under this category. For the merit subjects, in addition to clearing the minimum cut-off for every subject, the total marks you score in these subjects must be more than the overall cut-off.
Number of Questions in the NABARD Grade A Phase 1
Here are the number of questions in each subject of the NABARD Grade A Phase 1 exam:
- Reasoning: 20 questions
- English: 30 questions
- Computer Knowledge: 20 questions
- Quantitative Aptitude: 20 questions
- Decision Making: 10 questions
- General Awareness: 20 questions
- Economic and Social Issues: 40 questions
- Agriculture and Rural Development 40 questions
In total, there are 200 questions in the NABARD Grade A phase 1 paper.
- Eligibility
- Pattern
- Syllabus
- Solved PYQs
- Strategy
Maximum Marks in NABARD Grade A Phase 1 Exam
Here are the maximum marks for each subject:
- Reasoning: 20 marks
- English: 30 marks
- Computer Knowledge: 20 marks
- Quantitative Aptitude: 20 marks
- Decision Making: 10 marks
- General Awareness: 20 marks
- Economic and Social Issues: 40 marks
- Agriculture and Rural Development 40 marks
The maximum marks for the Phase 1 exam of NABARD Grade A are 200.
Time Duration of NABARD Grade A Phase 1
There is no section-wise time limit in the NABARD Grade A phase 1 exam. You get a total of 120 minutes to answer all questions.
Here’s a tabular representation of this information:
| NABARD Grade A Phase 1 Pattern | ||
| Subject | Questions | Maximum Marks |
Non-Merit or Qualifying Sections | ||
| Reasoning | 20 | 20 |
| English | 30 | 30 |
| Computer Knowledge | 20 | 20 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 20 | 20 |
| Decision Making | 10 | 10 |
Merit Sections | ||
| General Awareness | 20 | 20 |
| Economic and Social Issues | 40 | 40 |
| Agriculture and Rural Development | 40 | 40 |
| Total | 200 | 200 |
Additional Details of NABARD Grade A 2024 Phase 1 Exam
Here are some additional facts about the NABARD Grade A 2024 pattern you must be aware of.
Mode of Exam of NABARD Grade A Phase 1
The NABARD Grade A Phase 1 exam is conducted online via a computer screen and is objective in nature. You have to choose the right option out of the five available for every question.
Paper Structure of NABARD Grade A Phase 1
NABARD Grade A Prelims exam is qualifying in nature and consists of objective-type multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
Nature of Phase 1 of NABARD Grade A
NABARD Grade A is qualifying in nature.
Paper Language of NABARD Grade A Phase 1
The NABARD Grade A exam is available in two languages, Hindi and English. However, the English Language exam can only be taken in English.
Negative Marking in NABARD Grade A Phase 1
NABARD Grade A Phase 1 exam involves negative marking i.e., 1/4th or 0.25 marks will be deducted for every incorrect choice you make.
Cut-Off Marks of NABARD Grade A Phase 1
The overall and sectional cut-off marks are decided based on the calling ratio.
Here are the additional details of the NABARD Grade A Phase 1 exam in a tabular format:
| NABARD Grade A 2024 Phase 1 Pattern Additional Details | |
| Mode | Online |
| Paper Structure | Objective-Type (MCQs) |
| Nature | Qualifying |
| Language | Hindi & English (Except the test of English) |
| Total Number of Questions | 200 |
| Total Marks | 200 |
| Overall Cut-Off Marks | Decided as per the calling ratio |
| Sectional Cut-Off Marks | Decided as per the calling ratio |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 (1/4th for every wrong answer) |
| Total Duration | 2 Hours |
| Sectional Timing | No |
- Eligibility
- Pattern
- Syllabus
- Solved PYQs
- Strategy
NABARD Grade A 2024 Phase 2 Pattern
The next step after clearing the NABARD Grade A Phase 1 exam is the Phase 2 exam (mains). Here’s a simplified breakdown of the NABARD Grade A Phase 2 pattern:
Number of Subjects in NABARD Grade A Phase 2
The NABARD Grade A Phase 2 exam comprises the following subjects:
- Paper 1: General English
- Paper 2: ESI & ARD
Number of Questions in NABARD Grade A Phase 2
Here are the number of questions in each subject of the NABARD Grade A Phase 2 exam:
- Paper 1 (General English): 3 descriptive questions
- Paper 2 (ESI & ARD): 30 objective and 6 descriptive questions out of which 4 have to be attempted
Maximum Marks in NABARD Grade A Phase 2
Here are the maximum marks for each subject:
- Paper 1 (General English): 100 marks
- Paper 2 (ESI & ARD): 100 marks
The NABARD Grade A Phase 2 is worth 200 marks.
Time Duration in NABARD Grade A Phase 2
The total time allotted for the Phase 2 of the NABARD Grade A exam is 210 minutes.
- Paper 1 (General English): 90 minutes
- Paper 2 (ESI & ARD): 120 minutes (30 minutes for objective questions and 90 minutes for descriptive questions)
Here’s a tabular representation of the above information:
| NABARD Grade A Phase 2 Pattern | ||||
| Paper | Type | No. of Questions | Time(minutes) | Total Marks |
| Paper-1 General English | Online Descriptive | 3 | 90 | 100 |
| Paper-2 Economic and Social Issues & Agriculture and Rural Development | 50% Objective | 30 | 30 | 100 |
| 50% Descriptive | 6, out of which 4 to be attempted | 90 | ||
| 200 | ||||
Additional Details of NABARD Grade A Phase 2 Pattern
Here are some additional facts about the NABARD Grade A Phase 2 pattern:
Mode of Exam of NABARD Grade A Phase 2
The NABARD Grade A Phase 2 exam is conducted online. You can answer the objective questions by selecting the right options on your computer screens. For the descriptive questions, you have to type the answers using the keyboard.
Paper Structure of NABARD Grade A Phase 2
NABARD Grade A Phase 2 exam includes both objective-type MCQs and descriptive questions.
Paper Language of NABARD Grade A Phase 2
The NABARD Grade A exam is available in two languages, Hindi and English. However, the English Language exam can only be taken in English.
Total Number of Questions in NABARD Grade A Phase 2
There are 39 questions for the NABARD Grade A Main examination. Here’s a breakdown:
- Paper 1 (General English): 3 questions
- Paper 2 (ESI & ARD): 36 (30 objective questions and 6 descriptive questions out of which 4 need to be attempted)
*While there are 39 questions in total, a candidate can attempt 37 questions only.
Cut-Off Marks of NABARD Grade A Phase 2
Cut-off marks are decided based on the calling ratio.
Negative Marking in NABARD Grade A Phase 2
For every wrong answer you mark in the objective part, 1/4th of the total allotted marks per question will be deducted. This means that there will be a deduction of 0.25 marks for questions worth 1 mark and 0.50 for questions worth 2 marks.
| NABARD Grade A Phase 2 Pattern Other Details | |
| Mode | Online |
| Paper Structure | MCQs and descriptive questions |
| Language | Hindi & English for both objective and descriptive papers (Except for the test of English) |
| Total Marks | 200 |
| Total Questions | 39 (3 descriptive in paper 1 + 30 objective in and 6 (attempt 4) descriptive in paper 2) |
| Cut-Off Marks | Decided as per the calling ratio |
| Negative Marking (Objective questions) | 1/4th for every wrong answer, i.e. 0.25 for 1 mark questions and 0.50 for 2 mark questions |
NABARD Grade A 2024 Interview Pattern (Phase 3)
Candidates who manage to clear Phase 2 of the NABARD Grade A exam are called for a psychometric test. After this test, the candidates will be called for an interview, which is the final step.
Here are some important pointers about the NABARD Grade A interview:
- Candidates are shortlisted for the interview based on the marks scored in Phase 2.
- The interview is worth 50 marks.
- Candidates can appear for the interview either in English or Hindi.
NABARD Grade A 2024 Final Selection
The final selection is based on the aggregate marks obtained in Phase 2 (Paper I and II) and the interview.
- Eligibility
- Pattern
- Syllabus
- Solved PYQs
- Strategy
Changes in NABARD Grade A Pattern
Here we have explained the changes that have taken place in the exam pattern of NABARD Grade A:
NABARD Grade A Phase 1 Pattern Changes
Changes in the NABARD Grade A phase 1 pattern were last seen in 2021. Before 2021, there were 7 subjects in the phase 1 exam as follows:
- Quantitative Aptitude (20 marks)
- Reasoning (20 marks)
- English (40 marks)
- Computer Knowledge (20 marks)
- General Awareness (20 marks)
- ESI (40 marks)
- ARD (40 marks)
The weightage of English section was 40 marks and the subjects were not divided into merit and non merit sections. There were 200 questions worth 200 marks in Phase 1, and the overall cut-off was calculated out of 200 marks.
2021 onwards, the weightage of English was reduced from 40 to 30 marks. A new subject namely Decision making, worth 10 marks, was added, taking the tally to 8 subjects as listed below:
- Reasoning (20 marks)
- English (30 marks)
- Computer Knowledge (20 marks)
- Quantitative Aptitude (20 marks)
- Decision Making (10)
- General Awareness (20 marks)
- ESI (40 marks)
- ARD (40 marks)
Subjects in Phase 1 were now divided into two sections: merit and non merit. Also, the overall cut-off is now calculated out of 100 marks comprising ESI, ARD and GA.
NABARD Grade A Phase 2 Pattern Changes
There was a small modification made in the NABARD Grade A Phase 2 exam pattern in 2021.
Before 2021, the Paper 2 (ESI & ARD) of NABARD Phase 2 exam used to include objective-type questions only. Starting 2021, the paper of ESI & ARD of the Phase 2 exam, now includes both objective (50%) and subjective (50%) questions.
NABARD Grade A Interview Pattern Changes
Phase 3, or the Interview part of the NABARD Grade A, also underwent some changes. Till 2021, the interview was worth 25 marks. In 2021, the marks were increased to 50.
In 2023, NABARD also introduced a psychometric test before the interview.
NABARD Grade A 2024 Syllabus
Here is the NABARD Grade A 2024 syllabus for Phase 1 and Phase 2.
NABARD Grade A 2024 Phase 1 Syllabus
The official notification of NABARD Grade A does not mention the syllabus topics for phase 1 except ESI and ARD. We have analyzed the previous years’ questions (PYQs) of the NABARD assistant manager to list down the topics of the remaining subjects of Phase 1.
| NABARD Grade A 2024 Phase 1 Syllabus | ||
| Reasoning | Quant | English |
| Alphanumeric series Coding and Decoding Syllogism Direction Sense Inequality Ranking and Order Blood Relation Puzzles and sitting arrangement Input-output Questions based on Statements Questions based on Data Sufficiency | Ratio and Proportion Percentage Profit and Loss Simple and Compound Interest Average and Age Time and Work Pipes and Cistern Time and Distance Mixture and Alligation Series and Quadratic equation Mathematical Inequalities Number series Data interpretation Simplification/approximation Quantity comparisons | Reading Comprehension Sentence Rearrangement Cloze Test Para jumbles Double fillers Error Detection and Sentence Improvement Vocabulary (Synonyms, Antonyms, One-word Substitution, Phrasal verbs) |
| General Awareness | |
| Current Affairs Current affairs of the preceding 6 months from the date of examination National News: MoUs, summits, and major events related to India. International: Summits and conferences held abroad. Defence: Military exercises, drills, and major updates related to the defence sector of India. Days in News: Major events or days, along with its date, and theme. Persons in News: Obituaries, appointments, retirements Sports: Major tournaments and their winners. Science, Technology, and Space Awards and Honours Environment Banking, Economy, and Schemes Books and Authors | Static Chief Ministers and Cabinet Ministers National Parks and Sanctuaries Organisations’ Headquarters Banks’ Headquarters and Taglines Power Plants in India Indian Dance Forms Countries’ Capitals and their Currencies |
| Decision Making | Computer Knowledge |
| Basics of Decision Making Types of Decision Making Decision Making Models Decision Making Approaches Factors Affecting Decision Making Types of Problems Decision Making | Computer Awareness Hardware and Memory Software and Operating Systems MS Office Database Management System Internet and Computer Security History and Computer & Generations Shortcuts |
Here is the ESI and ARD syllabus that is mentioned in the official NABARD Grade A 2024 notification.
| Economics and Social Issues | Agriculture and Rural Development |
| 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 Systems Human Development Current Economic and Social Issues | 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 |
Important Note: The syllabus for ESI and ARD is same for Phases 1 and 2.
NABARD Grade A 2024 Phase 2 Syllabus
Here is the NABARD Grade A 2024 syllabus for Phase 2 Paper 1:
Descriptive English Syllabus for NABARD Grade A 2024
Generally, 3 questions are asked from the following topics:
- Essay
- Precis writing
- Comprehension
ESI & ARD Syllabus for NABARD Grade A 2024
As previously mentioned, the syllabus for Paper 2 is the same as the syllabus for ESI & ARD in Phase 1.
For a deeper dive into the syllabus, click the link: NABARD Grade A 2024 Syllabus.
- Eligibility
- Pattern
- Syllabus
- Solved PYQs
- Strategy
Wrapping Up
Now that you have detailed information about the NABARD Grade A 2024 exam pattern and a brief overview of the syllabus, you can:
- Create a strategic study plan:
- select the right study material
- focus on high-weightage sections
- Tweak your existing preparation strategy based on the updates.
- Increase the chances of your success.
