NABARD grade A eligibility for the generalist Assistant Manager (RDBS) post rests on three tests: you are 21 at least and not past 30 when the cut off day arrives, a bachelor's degree carrying 60 percent aggregate (SC, ST and PwBD: 55) or a postgraduate degree carrying 55 percent (50 for the same groups), and Indian citizenship or fit one of the few other groups the rules accept.
Legal, protocol and security, and specialist discipline posts have their own degree and age rules. This page covers the NABARD recruitment eligibility rules one by one, the age relaxation table, and the certificates worth arranging now so that nothing trips you up when officials compare your papers after you have studied for months.
Exam at a glance
Recruiting body
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural DevelopmentPost
Assistant Manager in Grade A (RDBS, Legal, Protocol and Security, and others when notified)Age (RDBS)
21 to 30 years on the reference date in the noticeDegree (RDBS general)
Bachelor's with 60 percent, or PG, MBA or PGDM with 55 percent; CA, CS, ICWA or PhD also acceptedMarks relaxation
5 points lower for SC, ST and PwBD (55 percent graduation, 50 percent PG)Attempts
No fixed cap reported; your age limit is the real ceilingNationality
Indian citizen, Nepal or Bhutan subject, or another group allowed by Government of India rules
NABARD grade A eligibility at a glance
NABARD recruits Assistant Managers in Grade A through a three phase process: an objective prelims, a mains with descriptive and objective papers, and an interview. Eligibility is checked at every step, but most rejections happen late, at document verification, when your marks sheets and certificates are compared with what you typed in the form.
The latest round advertised posts mostly under RDBS, the bank's Rural Development Banking Service, with a small number in the Legal Service and the Protocol and Security Service. In some earlier years NABARD also opened discipline posts such as agriculture, finance, computer or IT and Rajbhasha, each tied to a specific degree. The current advertisement carries a table, post by post, that settles which streams are open.
Nationality rules
You can apply if you are:
- an Indian citizen, or
- from Nepal or Bhutan as a subject of that country, or
- a Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962 to settle here permanently, or
- of Indian origin, having shifted here from a country the notice names, with plans to stay for good.
Applicants in the last three groups generally must hold a Union government certificate confirming eligibility before NABARD makes an offer. For the large majority who hold Indian citizenship, no extra paper is needed at this step.
Age limit and how it is counted
An RDBS generalist applicant has to sit within 21 to 30 years. NABARD fixes one reference date in each notice, lately the opening day of the advertisement's month, and your age is measured on that date using the birth date in your class 10 certificate.
Other posts can have different bands. Reports of the latest round placed the Protocol and Security Service at 25 to 40 years, which fits its requirement of prior service in the armed forces. Higher upper limits have also applied in the past to candidates holding an MPhil or PhD. Since these details differ by post and year, read the age column of the post wise table rather than assuming one figure fits everyone.
Age relaxation table
| Category | Relaxation | Upper limit for RDBS |
|---|---|---|
| SC or ST | 5 years | 35 |
| Other Backward Classes, outside creamy layer | 3 years | 33 |
| Disability (PwBD), unreserved or EWS | 10 years | 40 |
| Disability (PwBD), Other Backward Classes | 13 years | 43 |
| Disability (PwBD), Scheduled Castes or Tribes | 15 years | 45 |
| Former commissioned officers with 5 or more years of continuous military service | 5 years | 35 |
| Children or family members of those killed in the 1984 riots | 5 years | 35 |
Relaxations are not added together beyond what the rules allow, so if two categories apply to you, check which single limit you fall under.
Educational qualification for each post
Rural Development Banking Service (general)
Any one of these is enough:
- Graduation in any subject, 60 percent overall (55 for SC, ST, PwBD)
- Postgraduation, MBA or PGDM, 55 percent overall (50 for SC, ST, PwBD)
- CA, CS or ICWA from the respective institute
- A PhD from a recognised university
Graduation must be a course of at least three years after class 12, and a postgraduate degree at least two years after graduation. A PwBD candidate applying against an unreserved vacancy does not get the lower percentage, though age and fee concessions still apply.
Legal Service
A bachelor's degree in law is required, and the advertisement states the lowest percentage it will take. Some rounds have also accepted a master's in law with lower marks. Check the exact figure before you apply.
Protocol and Security Service
This stream is meant for former officers of the Army, Navy or Air Force with a minimum length of commissioned service. The service period and paperwork are spelled out in the notice.
Discipline posts
When NABARD opens posts such as agriculture, finance, computer or IT, or Rajbhasha, each one asks for a degree in that field, usually with a set percentage. The general route above does not cover them.
Final year students and the result date
Final year students are generally allowed only if the final result is declared on or before the date fixed in the notice. At verification you must show the final marks sheet, degree or provisional certificate, and your percentage is calculated as the notice describes, usually the aggregate of all years, without rounding up.
Attempts and other conditions
Recent notices leave the count of tries open. While the age and degree rules still fit you, you can apply in every round. Employees already working in a government body or bank should apply through proper channels and keep a no objection certificate ready for the interview.
Before you start, read our NABARD grade A syllabus page, because the economic and social issues and agriculture and rural development papers need a long lead time if your degree was in another field.
Paperwork NABARD will ask for
- Matriculation certificate, the bank's accepted record of when you were born
- Every semester or year marks sheet, plus your degree or a provisional one
- Community certificate on the Union government pattern; for OBC it must state you are outside the creamy layer and be recent
- Proof of EWS status on the prescribed form, only if you are claiming it
- Disability certificate for PwBD, and discharge papers for ex-servicemen
- Photo identity proof and the printout of your application
Aiming at more than one regulator job? Compare rules side by side: see the RBI grade B eligibility guide, use our eligibility checker, or browse the bank exams section.
Frequently asked questions
What age does NABARD accept for the grade A generalist post?
The RDBS generalist Assistant Manager post is open from age 21 up to 30, measured on the day the advertisement names. SC and ST applicants gain 5 more years, OBC (non creamy layer) entrants gain 3 and PwBD 10 to 15 years depending on category.
Is 60 percent in graduation compulsory for NABARD?
For the general RDBS route, yes: graduation needs a 60 percent aggregate, lowered to 55 for SC, ST or PwBD applicants. If you fall short in graduation, a postgraduate degree, MBA or PGDM with 55 percent (50 percent for those groups), or CA, CS, ICWA or a PhD, can make you eligible instead.
Is a BCom or BA degree enough for NABARD grade A?
Yes. The general RDBS post takes graduates from every discipline, commerce and arts included, provided the marks rule is met. You will still have to learn agriculture and rural development for the mains, so start that paper early.
Is there an attempt limit for NABARD grade A?
No recent advertisement has restricted how often you may appear. You can keep applying while you stay within the upper age limit for your category.
Can I fill the NABARD form while my final year marks are pending?
Generally yes, but only if your final result is declared on or before the date in the notice and you meet the percentage rule. Without the result by that date your candidature can be cancelled.
Does a PwBD candidate on an unreserved seat get the marks relaxation?
No. Recent notices say PwBD candidates applying against unreserved vacancies must meet the general percentage, though they still get the age and fee concessions.