NABARD Grade A Exam Pattern 2025, Prelims & Mains Exam Structure

Before you open a single book or make a timetable, there’s one thing you must get absolutely clear. And that is the NABARD Grade A exam pattern 2025. It decides what to study, how much to study, and where marks actually matter. Without this clarity, preparation becomes guesswork. Keep reading to understand the complete Prelims and Mains exam structure, step by step, and start your preparation for the upcoming exam accordingly.

What You’ll Get From This Blog

By the time you finish reading, you will have clarity not just on the pattern, but on how NABARD shortlists candidates at every stage.

• Clear understanding of Prelims, Mains, and Interview stages

• Section-wise breakup of marks and weightage
• Practical clarity on what actually decides selection

NABARD Grade A 2025 Exam Pattern

This is the foundation section of your preparation. If the exam pattern is clear, half the confusion automatically disappears. Understanding how the NABARD Grade A & B exam is structured helps you avoid random preparation and focus only on what the exam actually demands.

Understanding the NABARD Grade A & B exam pattern 2025 is not optional. It’s essential. Once you know the structure, question types, and marks distribution, preparation automatically becomes more focused and efficient.

Let's go through the different stages of the NABARD Grade A & B exam 2025.

Phase 1 – Prelims

Phase 1 is the first screening barrier. Its role is simple—filter candidates. Many aspirants misunderstand this stage and either overvalue or ignore it completely. You should do neither. You must clear it comfortably, without wasting energy meant for Phase 2.

• Exam Mode: Online (CBT)
• Total Marks: 200 (Objective-type questions)
• Time Duration: 2 hours

Note: Note: Phase 1 is qualifying in nature. Marks scored here are not added to the final merit list. It only acts as a screening stage.

Phase 2 – Mains

Phase 2 is where the real competition begins. This stage tests not just knowledge, but clarity, structure, and expression. Every mark you score here directly impacts your final rank, which is why Phase 2 deserves maximum seriousness.

• Exam Mode: Online (Objective + Descriptive)

• Total Marks: 200
• Time Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes

Note: Phase 2 marks are combined with Interview marks to prepare the final selection list.

Interview

 

The Interview is not about factual knowledge alone. It evaluates how you think, communicate, and justify your opinions. Your preparation for this stage should be gradual and built over time, not rushed at the end.

Conducted By: Panel of senior NABARD officers

• Total Marks: 50

This stage assesses personality, clarity of thought, communication skills, decision-making ability, and overall suitability for the role.

The one crucial thing that you need to keep in mind is that the Phase 1 is only a filter, and not a scoring stage. So, your real fight begins from Phase 2 onwards.

NABARD Grade A Exam Pattern 2025 – Phase I

This stage checks whether you meet the minimum standard required to move ahead. Understanding this pattern helps you balance speed, accuracy, and section-wise effort.

Here’s what Phase 1 looks like:

• Number of Questions: 200
• Time Allotted: 2 hours (combined for all sections)
• Question Type: Objective
• Total Marks: 200
• Marking Scheme:
  • +1 mark for every correct answer
  • 1/4th mark deducted for every incorrect answer

NABARD Grade A Exam Pattern for Phase 1

 

Phase 1 consists of multiple sections, but not all of them decide your selection. This distinction between qualifying and merit sections is what most beginners overlook, and it often costs them dearly.

Here are the points you need to keep in mind:

Qualifying Sections:

• Reasoning Ability
• English Language
• Computer Knowledge
• Quantitative Aptitude
• Decision Making

Merit Sections:

• General Awareness
• Economics & Social Issues
• Agriculture & Rural Development

Shortlisting for Phase 2 depends only on Merit Section marks, not Qualifying Sections.

That’s why serious aspirants always give maximum time to ESI, ARD, and GA in Phase 1.

NABARD Grade A Exam Pattern 2025 for Phase II

Phase 2 is the most decisive stage of the NABARD Grade A exam. This is where your understanding, writing ability, and command over concepts are tested in depth.

Every mark here directly affects your final merit position.

As per the latest pattern, Phase 2 consists of two papers for Grade A.

 

Paper 1 – General English

 

This paper evaluates your ability to express ideas clearly and logically. It is not about decorative language, but about clarity, structure, and relevance.

• Type: Descriptive
• Number of Questions: 3
• Total Marks: 100
• Time Duration: 90 minutes

Answers are to be typed using the keyboard.

Paper 2 – ESI & ARD

This paper tests both conceptual understanding and written articulation. A balanced approach between objective accuracy and descriptive clarity is essential to score well here.

• Objective Section:
  • 30 questions
  • 30 minutes
  • 50 marks
• Descriptive Section:
  • 6 questions (attempt any 4)
  • 2 questions of 15 marks
  • 2 questions of 10 marks
  • 90 minutes
  • 50 marks

Negative marking applies only to the objective section. Descriptive answers have no negative marking.

NABARD Grade A 2025 Phase 2 Exam Pattern

This table gives you a clear picture of how time and marks are distributed in the Mains exam. It also helps in planning your writing speed and answer length.

Descriptive answers can be written in English or Hindi using Remington/Inscript keyboards.

NABARD Grade B 2025 Phase 2 Exam Pattern

Grade B follows a similar structure, with one additional paper. Understanding this difference is important if you’re preparing for both Grade A and Grade B simultaneously.

 

NABARD Grade A Exam Pattern 2025 for Interview

The Interview is the final stage of the selection process. It is meant to assess whether you are suitable not just for the exam, but for the role itself. Preparation for this stage should be gradual and thoughtful.

• Grade A Interview Marks: 50
• Grade B Interview Marks: 75
• Interview Language: English or Hindi (candidate’s choice)

Candidates must also appear for a Psychometric Test to be eligible for the Interview. And the final merit is prepared using Phase 2 and Interview marks only.