The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), India’s premier apex development financial institution wholly owned by the Government of India, has announced a significant recruitment drive, inviting online applications for the prestigious post of Assistant Manager in Grade ‘A’. This recruitment encompasses three distinct streams: the Rural Development Banking Service (RDBS), Legal Service, and Protocol & Security Service, offering a total of 91 vacancies for Indian citizens. This is a golden opportunity for dynamic and dedicated individuals to embark on a career that sits at the very heart of India’s economic growth and rural empowerment. NABARD, as an equal opportunity employer, is looking for candidates who are not just seeking a job but are driven by a mission to contribute to nation-building. The entire application process is online, and candidates must carefully navigate the eligibility criteria and application timeline to be considered for this highly sought-after position.
Crucial Dates and Application Timeline
Adherence to the following timeline is absolutely critical, as no applications outside this window will be considered.
- Online Application Start Date: November 8, 2025
- Online Application End Date: November 30, 2025
- Phase I (Preliminary) Online Examination: December 20, 2025 (for all posts)
- Phase II (Mains) Online Examination: January 25, 2026 (for RDBS and Legal posts)
- Phase III (Psychometric Test): Dates to be announced later on the official website.
Candidates are strongly advised not to wait until the last date to apply to avoid any last-minute technical glitches or server overload.
Total Vacancy Breakdown: 91 Posts
NABARD has announced a total of 91 vacancies distributed across various disciplines and services. Here is a detailed breakdown:
I. Assistant Manager (RDBS) – Rural Development Banking Service: 85 Posts
This is the bulk of the recruitment, with vacancies in General and several specialized disciplines. The RDBS cadre is the backbone of NABARD’s field operations.
- General: 48 Posts
- Chartered Accountant: 4 Posts
- Company Secretary: 2 Posts
- Finance: 5 Posts
- Computer/ Information Technology: 10 Posts
- Agriculture Engineering: 1 Post
- Plantation & Horticulture: 2 Posts
- Fisheries: 2 Posts
- Food Processing: 2 Posts
- Land Development & Soil Science: 2 Posts
- Civil Engineering: 2 Posts
- Electrical Engineering: 2 Posts
- Media Specialist: 1 Post
- Economics: 2 Posts
II. Assistant Manager (Legal Service): 2 Posts
III. Assistant Manager (Protocol & Security Service): 4 Posts
Reservation Policy:
The recruitment follows the Government of India’s reservation policy. The total vacancies include positions reserved for candidates from SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PWBD). Out of the 85 RDBS posts, 7 are specifically reserved for PWBD candidates across different disability categories. It is important to note that candidates applying for reserved categories must possess the valid and requisite certificate from the competent authority.
Application Fee (Non-Refundable)
The application fee structure is as follows (excluding applicable GST):
- For SC/ST/PWBD candidates: ₹ 150 (Intimation charges only)
- For all other categories: ₹ 850 (₹ 700 Application Fee + ₹ 150 Intimation charges)
The payment must be made online through the designated payment gateway on the NABARD website during the application process.
Detailed Eligibility Criteria
This is the most critical section. Candidates must ensure they meet every single criterion for the specific post they are applying for.
A. Nationality: Must be a citizen of India.
B. Age Limit (as on November 1, 2025):
A candidate must be between 21 and 30 years old. This means they must have been born not earlier than November 2, 1995, and not later than November 1, 2004.
Age Relaxation is available for:
- OBC Candidates: 3 years
- SC/ST Candidates: 5 years
- PWBD Candidates: 10 years for General-PWBD, 13 years for OBC-PWBD, and 15 years for SC/ST-PWBD.
- Ex-Servicemen and other specific categories: As per government norms.
C. Educational Qualification (as on November 1, 2025):
The educational qualifications are highly specific to each post. The candidate must possess the required qualification on or before November 1, 2025. Results declared after this date will not be considered.
1. For Assistant Manager (RDBS):
- General: Bachelor’s Degree in any subject with 60% marks (55% for SC/ST/PWBD) OR Post Graduate degree/MBA/PGDM with 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/PWBD) OR a Ph.D. OR CA/CS/CMA/ICWA.
- Chartered Accountant: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline + Membership of ICAI.
- Company Secretary: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline + Associate/Fellow membership of ICSI.
- Finance: BBA (Finance)/BMS (Finance) with 60% marks OR PGDM/MBA (Finance) with 55% marks OR Bachelor of Financial and Investment Analysis with 60% marks OR Membership of ICAI/ICWA (CMA) OR CFA/FRM certification.
- Computer/IT: 4-year B.E./B.Tech in CS/IT/Electronics etc. with 60% marks OR Post Graduate degree in relevant fields with 55% marks OR Graduate degree with 60% marks + DOEACC ‘B’ Level.
- Other Specialized Disciplines (Agriculture Eng., Horticulture, Fisheries, etc.): Typically require a Bachelor’s degree in the relevant field with 60% marks OR a Post Graduate degree with 55% marks. Specific percentage relaxations apply for reserved categories as per the detailed advertisement.
2. For Assistant Manager (Legal Service):
Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB) with 60% marks in aggregate OR LLM with 55% marks. The degree must be from a UGC and Bar Council recognized institution.
3. For Assistant Manager (Protocol & Security Service):
The specific educational qualification for this post is not listed in the provided excerpt, and candidates must refer to the full official advertisement on the NABARD website for precise details.
Important Note on Qualifications:
- A candidate can apply for ONLY ONE post/discipline.
- For disciplines where a specific branch/subject is required, it must be mentioned as the main subject in the degree certificate.
- For universities using a grading system (CGPA, etc.), a conversion criteria is provided in the advertisement. For example, a CGPA of 6.75 on a 10-point scale is considered equivalent to 60%.
Salary Scale and Emoluments: A Lucrative Package
A career with NABARD is not only prestigious but also financially rewarding. The pay scale and perks are attractive and commensurate with a central government financial institution.
- Pay Scale: Selected candidates will be placed in the pay scale of Rs. 44,500 – 2500(4) – 54,500 – 2850(7) – 74,450 – EB – 2850(4) – 85,850 – 3300(1) – 89,150 (17 years).
- Starting Basic Pay: Rs. 44,500/- per month.
- Approximate Gross Monthly Emoluments: At present, the initial monthly gross emoluments at the starting basic pay are approximately Rs. 1,00,000/- per month. This includes:
- Dearness Allowance (DA)
- House Rent Allowance (HRA) / Bank’s Accommodation (subject to availability)
- Local Compensatory Allowance
- Grade Allowance
Additional Perquisites and Benefits:
- New Pension Scheme (NPS): The bank contributes to the defined contribution New Pension Scheme.
- Gratuity and Group Term Insurance Plan.
- Reimbursement of medical expenses for OPD and hospitalization.
- Leave Travel Concession (LTC).
- Concessional loans for housing, vehicle, education, and personal computers.
- Newspaper, internet, and telephone charge reimbursements.
- Book grant and furnishing allowance.
Service Conditions:
- The first appointment is on probation for a period of 2 years, which can be extended for up to one more year.
- Selected candidates are liable to be posted and transferred anywhere in India.
The Selection Process: A Three-Tiered System
The selection for Assistant Manager in Grade ‘A’ is a rigorous multi-stage process:
- Phase I: Preliminary Examination (Online): This is a screening objective test for all applicants. It is likely to consist of sections like Reasoning, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness, and relevant professional knowledge. Only those who clear the cut-off in Phase I will be shortlisted for the next stage.
- Phase II: Main Examination (Online): This is a more comprehensive and in-depth online examination for the shortlisted candidates from Phase I. This stage is applicable only for RDBS and Legal posts. It will test the candidate’s conceptual clarity and advanced knowledge in their respective disciplines.
- Phase III: Psychometric Test & Interview: Candidates who qualify in the Main Examination will be called for a Psychometric Test (details of which will be announced later) and a Personal Interview. The final selection will be based on the combined performance in the Main Examination and the Interview.
For the Protocol & Security Service post, the selection process may differ, and candidates should refer to the full advertisement.
How to Apply: A Step-by-Step Guide
Applications are accepted ONLY ONLINE through the official NABARD website. No other mode of application is permitted.
Preparation before Applying Online:
Candidates must keep the following scanned documents ready in the prescribed format (size and clarity) before starting the application:
- Photograph: A recent passport-size color photograph (4.5 cm x 3.5 cm).
- Signature: A full signature in black ink on a white paper (Signature in CAPITAL LETTERS is not accepted).
- Left Thumb Impression: A clear impression on white paper with black or blue ink.
- Handwritten Declaration: A declaration written in English on a white paper with black ink, stating: “I, [Your Name], hereby declare that all the information submitted by me in the application form is correct, true and valid. I will present the supporting documents as and when required.”
The Online Application Process:
- Visit Official Website and navigate to the “Careers” or “Recruitment” section.
- Click on the relevant advertisement for “Assistant Manager in Grade ‘A’ (RDBS/Legal/Protocol & Security) – DR”.
- Click on “Apply Online” and complete the registration by providing basic details.
- Use the generated Registration Number and Password to log in.
- Carefully fill out the detailed application form.
- Upload the scanned photograph, signature, left thumb impression, and handwritten declaration.
- Pay the requisite application fee online using a credit/debit card, net banking, or other available UPI modes.
- Review the entire application thoroughly before final submission.
- Submit the application and take a printout of the final submitted form for your records.
