Big news for banking and agriculture sector aspirants! With the release of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) notification for the recruitment of Development Assistants (Group ‘B’) for the 2026 cycle, the aspirants need to start their preparation in full swing. If you, too, have been waiting for a stable, prestigious, and high-growth opportunity in a premier regulatory body, this is it. With 162 vacancies available, it’s time to ramp up your preparation. Let’s dive into every detail you need to know from the complete notification for this year.
NABARD DA 2026: Important Dates
Now that the notification is out, the aspirants need to keep in mind all the important events related to the exam. When they track deadlines carefully, preparation becomes smoother and stress-free.
Staying on top of the timeline is the first step toward success. Mark these dates in your calendar so you don’t miss the window:
| Event | Date |
| Short Notice Release | January 15, 2026 |
| Detailed Notification PDF | January 17, 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | January 17, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | February 3, 2026 |
| Prelims Exam Date | To be notified |
NABARD Grade A Notification 2026
Grade A Notification 2026, announcing 85 to 95 vacancies for Assistant Manager posts across three disciplines, which are Rural Development Banking Service (RDBS), Legal Service, and Protocol & Security Service. This recruitment drive continues NABARD’s tradition of offering one of the largest opportunities for aspirants aiming to build a career in development banking.
Eligible candidates can now apply online through the official website www.nabard.org. The selection process will be conducted in three stages. These stages are Prelims, Mains, and Interview. These three phases make sure the most capable candidates are chosen. With limited seats and intense competition, aspirants are advised to apply early and begin focused preparation.
NABARD Grade A Notification PDF 2026
NABARD Grade A Vacancy 2025
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has announced 91 vacancies for the post of Assistant Manager (Grade A) across multiple disciplines. These vacancies are distributed among different categories including UR, SC, ST, OBC, and EWS. Aspirants can check the detailed discipline‑wise and category‑wise NABARD Grade A Vacancy 2025 distribution below.
Category & Discipline‑wise Distribution of NABARD Grade A Vacancy 2025:
| S.No. | Post / Discipline | UR | SC | ST | OBC | EWS | Total |
| I | Assistant Manager (RDBS) | ||||||
| i | General | 20 | 7 | 4 | 13 | 4 | 48 |
| ii | Chartered Accountant | 2 | 1 | – | 1 | – | 4 |
| iii | Company Secretary | 1 | – | – | 1 | – | 2 |
| iv | Finance | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | – | 5 |
| v | Computer / Information Technology | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 10 |
| vi | Agriculture Engineering | 1 | – | – | – | – | 1 |
| vii | Plantation & Horticulture | 1 | – | – | 1 | – | 2 |
| viii | Fisheries | 1 | – | 1 | – | – | 2 |
| ix | Food Processing | – | 1 | – | – | 1 | 2 |
| x | Land Development & Soil Science | 1 | – | – | 1 | – | 2 |
| xi | Civil Engineering | – | 1 | 1 | – | – | 2 |
| xii | Electrical Engineering | 1 | – | – | – | 1 | 2 |
| xiii | Media Specialist | 1 | – | – | – | – | 1 |
| xiv | Economics | – | 1 | – | – | 1 | 2 |
| AM (RDBS) Total | 35 | 14 | 8 | 20 | 8 | 85 | |
| II | Assistant Manager (Legal) | 2 | – | – | – | – | 2 |
| III | Assistant Manager (Protocol & Security) | 3 | – | 1 | – | – | 4 |
| Grand Total | 40 | 14 | 9 | 20 | 8 | 91 |
NABARD Grade A Apply Online 2025
The NABARD Grade A Apply Online 2025 process has officially started from 8th November 2025 at the official website www.nabard.org. All interested candidates must complete their online registration before the last date – 30th November 2025.
🔹 Aspirants are advised to keep all required documents, scanned photographs, and signatures ready before filling out the form.
🔹 The online application link is now active and accessible for all eligible applicants.
🔹 Apply early to avoid last‑minute technical issues or rush.
Direct Link to Apply for NABARD Grade A 2025 Application Form
NABARD Grade A Application Fee 2025
Candidates applying for the NABARD Grade A Recruitment 2025 must pay the application fee through online mode only. The payment can be made conveniently using Net Banking, UPI, Credit Card, Debit Card, or Wallet services.
Below is the category‑wise NABARD Grade A Application Fee 2025 that applicants need to pay while submitting the form.
NABARD Grade A Application Fee – Category‑wise:
| Category | Application Fee |
| SC / ST / PWBD | ₹150/- |
| Others (General/OBC/EWS) | ₹850/- |
Eligibility Criteria: Are You Eligible?
While the detailed notification will provide specific cut-off dates, the general eligibility based on previous years and the current notice is as follows:
Age Limit (As of 01.01.2026)
- Minimum: 21 Years
- Maximum: 35 Years
- Relaxations apply for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD as per Government of India norms.
Educational Qualification
- Development Assistant: A Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognized university with a minimum of 50% marks (Pass Class for SC/ST/PwBD/EXS).
- Development Assistant (Hindi): Bachelor’s Degree in English/Hindi medium with Hindi and English as compulsory or elective subjects with a minimum of 50% marks.
Selection Process & Exam Pattern
The selection happens in three stages to ensure only the best candidates make it through.
Phase I: Preliminary Exam (Online)
This is a qualifying round. The marks obtained here won’t be counted for the final merit list.
| Section | Questions | Marks |
| English Language | 40 | 40 |
| Numerical Ability | 30 | 30 |
| Reasoning Ability | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Note: Total time available for this exam is 60 mins.
Phase II: Main Exam (Online)
The final merit list is prepared based on these marks.
- Objective Test: Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness (with focus on Agriculture & Rural Development), and Computer Knowledge.
- Descriptive Test: English Language (Essay, Precis, Letter Writing).
Phase III: Language Proficiency Test (LPT)
Candidates who haven’t studied the regional language in Class 10 or 12 will have to undergo a proficiency test in the local language of the state they applied for.
5. Salary & Benefits: Why Join NABARD?
A NABARD Development Assistant enjoys a respectable salary and a work-life balance that is hard to find elsewhere.
- Starting Basic Pay: ₹13,150 per month.
- Gross Monthly Salary: Approximately ₹32,000 (including HRA, DA, and other allowances).
- Perks: Concessional loans (Housing/Car), Medical facilities, LFC, and a 5-day work week.
Actionable Next Steps for Students
- Read the Detailed Notification: Download the PDF on Jan 17 and check the state-wise vacancy distribution before applying.
- State Selection: You can only apply for one state. Choose wisely based on your proficiency in the local language.
- GA is Game-Changer: Start reading monthly current affairs with a special focus on Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD)—it carries huge weightage in the Mains.
- Mock Tests: The competition will be tough. Start taking NABARD DA Mock Tests early to get used to the 60-minute time pressure of the Prelims.
Conclusion
The NABARD DA 2026 recruitment is a golden opportunity to enter the regulatory banking space. Don’t wait for the last date to apply. Gear up, stay consistent, and your name could be on that final selection list!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You can, but you must pass the Language Proficiency Test (LPT) before final selection. It is highly recommended to apply from your home state or a state whose language you speak/read.
Yes, there is a penalty of 1/4th (0.25) marks for every wrong answer in both Prelims and Mains.
Yes, NABARD is a regulatory body fully owned by the Government of India.
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