The NABARD Grade A selection process 2026 involves three stages: Phase 1 (Prelims), Phase 2 (Mains), and a Personal Interview. While Phase 1 serves as a qualifying screening, the final merit list is determined by scores from Phase 2 and the Interview. Review the exam stages, marking schemes, and selection criteria below.
The NABARD Grade A selection process 2026 evaluates candidates on their analytical skills, general aptitude, and domain-specific professional knowledge essential for the Assistant Manager position at the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development. This multi-stage recruitment includes two online examinations (Prelims and Mains) followed by a final interview. Mastering the nuances of each stage is vital for your exam success. This guide provides comprehensive details, including important dates, exam patterns, and key selection rules.
NABARD Grade A Selection Process 2026
The recruitment cycle for the NABARD Grade A Recruitment 2026 consists of Phase 1 (Prelims), Phase 2 (Mains), and a final interview. Phase 1 is a standardized screening test used to shortlist candidates; it is qualifying in nature. Only successful candidates from the Prelims advance to the Mains. Ultimately, your rank on the final merit list is calculated based on your performance in the Phase 2 exam and the Interview.
Click to check: NABARD Grade A Syllabus 2026
NABARD Grade A Mains Admit Card 2026 - Click to Check
NABARD Assistant Manager Selection Process Overview
The final interview round for the NABARD Grade A selection process 2026 is tentatively scheduled for May 2026. Please refer to the table below for essential updates and institutional guidelines regarding the selection process.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of Vacancies | 91 |
| Main Exam Date (Phase 2) | 25th January 2026 |
| Interview Date | May 2026 |
| Selection Process | 1. Prelims 2. Mains 3. Interview |
| Exam Mode | Online (Prelims and Mains), In-person (Interview) |
| Official Website | www.nabard.org |
NABARD Grade A Selection Stages 2026
The selection for the Assistant Manager (Grade A) role in 2026 is structured into three distinct tiers:
- Preliminary exam (Phase 1)
- Mains Exam (Phase 2)
- Interview
Candidates are required to clear each stage sequentially. As previously noted, Phase 1 serves as an initial filtering mechanism. Only candidates who meet the cutoff in Phase 1 qualify for Phase 2. Final selection is strictly based on the combined marks secured in Phase 2 and the Interview.
NABARD Grade A Phase 1 2026
The NABARD Phase 1 examination is an objective-type, computer-based test consisting of 200 questions totaling 200 marks. Candidates have 120 minutes to complete sections covering Reasoning, English, Computer Knowledge, Quantitative Aptitude, Decision Making, General Awareness, Economic & Social Issues, and Agriculture & Rural Development. Please note that a penalty of 0.25 marks is applied for every incorrect answer.
| Section | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning | 20 | 20 | 120 minutes |
| English Language | 30 | 30 | |
| Computer Knowledge | 20 | 20 | |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 20 | 20 | |
| Decision Making | 10 | 10 | |
| General Awareness | 20 | 20 | |
| Economic & Social Issues (ESI) | 40 | 40 | |
| Agriculture & Rural Development (ARD) | 40 | 40 | |
| Total | 200 | 200 | 120 minutes |
NABARD Grade A Phase 2 2026
The Mains examination features two papers. Paper 1 is a descriptive General English test (100 marks). Paper 2 is a stream-specific assessment combining objective and descriptive components, tailored to specialized areas like Agriculture, Economics, or Rural Development Banking. A negative marking scheme of 0.25 marks per wrong answer applies to all objective sections.
| Paper | Type | Number of Questions | Max. Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: General English | Descriptive | 3 Essays/Questions | 100 | 90 minutes |
| Paper 2: Stream-Specific Paper | Objective + Descriptive | 30 MCQs + 6 Descriptive questions (attempt 4) | 100 | 120 minutes |
NABARD Grade A Interview 2026
The final stage, the Interview, carries a weightage of 50 marks. Candidates who successfully qualify the Mains exam are invited for a psychometric test, followed by an in-person interview conducted at designated NABARD centers. Candidates may opt to appear for the interview in either English or Hindi.
FAQs
In summary, the selection process is categorized into three stages: Phase 1 (Prelims), Phase 2 (Mains), and the final Interview.
The Interview is worth 50 marks, and the final merit list is curated based on the cumulative scores of the Mains (Phase 2) and the Interview.
Yes, both the Prelims and Mains exams include objective-type questions, with a negative marking penalty of 0.25 marks applied for every incorrect answer.