# What is the NABARD Grade A phase 1 and phase 2 syllabus? [NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) conducts the Grade A recruitment exam in two phases](https://www.ixambee.com/exams/nabard-grade-a-exam). Each phase tests a different set of competencies. Understanding the syllabus for both phases is essential before beginning preparation. ## Phase 1: Preliminary Examination [Phase 1 is an objective-type online exam](https://www.ixambee.com/previous-year-question-paper/nabard-grade-a-pre) designed to shortlist candidates for Phase 2. It covers general aptitude and awareness across the following subjects: | Subject | Key Topics | | --- | --- | | Reasoning | Logical reasoning, puzzles, seating arrangement, syllogisms, coding-decoding | | English Language | Reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, sentence correction | | Computer Knowledge | Basics of computers, MS Office, internet, networking concepts | | General Awareness | Current affairs, banking and financial awareness, static GK, agriculture and rural development | | Quantitative Aptitude | Number series, simplification, data interpretation, arithmetic problems | | Economic and Social Issues (ESI) | Indian economy, poverty, agriculture, rural development, social sector schemes | | Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) | Crop production, irrigation, rural credit, agricultural finance, government schemes | Phase 1 is qualifying in nature for most posts. Phase 2 scores carry the primary weight in the final merit list. ## Phase 2: Main Examination Phase 2 is more detailed and includes both objective and descriptive papers. The exact papers depend on the stream selected: General stream or specialist streams such as Agriculture, Finance, IT, Legal, and others. ### General Stream (Paper I and Paper II) **Paper I (Objective)** covers: - Economic and Social Issues (ESI) - Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) **Paper II (Descriptive)** tests: - English writing skills: essay, precis writing, comprehension, and business or report writing ### Specialist Streams Candidates applying for specialist posts (Agriculture, Finance, IT, Legal, HR, or Rajbhasha) appear for a subject-specific paper in addition to the English descriptive paper. The specialist paper tests in-depth knowledge of the relevant discipline. Examples by stream: - [**Agriculture stream:**](https://www.ixambee.com/exams/nabard-grade-a-agriculture) Agronomy, horticulture, soil science, plant pathology, agricultural economics - **Finance stream:** Financial management, accounting, auditing, taxation, corporate finance - **IT stream:** Software engineering, database management, networking, cybersecurity - **Legal stream:** Contract law, banking regulations, constitutional law, corporate law ## Key Topics That Appear Across Both Phases Some areas carry weight in both phases and deserve consistent attention throughout preparation: - **Agriculture and Rural Development:** Central to NABARD's mandate. Covers crop patterns, rural credit systems, microfinance, NABARD schemes, and government agricultural policies. - **Economic and Social Issues:** Indian economic planning, poverty alleviation, financial inclusion, monetary policy, and social development indicators. - **Current Affairs:** Banking sector news, RBI policy updates, Union Budget highlights, and rural development initiatives are regularly tested. ## How Phase 1 and Phase 2 Fit Together Phase 1 acts as a screening round. [Candidates who clear the Phase 1 cutoff](https://www.ixambee.com/exams/nabard-grade-a-exam-previous-year-cut-off) are called for Phase 2. Final selection is based on Phase 2 scores (objective and descriptive combined), followed by an interview for most posts. Preparing ESI and ARD thoroughly benefits performance in both phases, as these subjects appear in Phase 1 and carry significant marks in Phase 2. ## What to Check Before Starting Preparation NABARD updates its official notification each recruitment cycle. Confirm the following directly from the official NABARD notification before finalising a study plan: - The exact number of questions and marks per section - Whether negative marking applies and at what rate - The specific papers required for the chosen stream - The cutoff structure for the applicable category A structured preparation plan covering ESI, ARD, and the relevant specialist subject in depth, combined with [regular mock tests](https://www.ixambee.com/free-mock-tests/nabard-grade-a-phase-i) and current affairs practice, provides a strong foundation for both phases. ## Navigation - [Browse categories](https://ai.ixambee.com/topics) - [Buyer Answers](https://ai.ixambee.com/topics/buyer_queries) ## Related AI KB pages ### Are agriculture graduates eligible for NABARD Grade A? 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