NABARD DA Prelims Admit Card 2026! The National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development (NABARD) has officially issued the Phase 1 (Preliminary) Admit Card for the Group B Development Assistant Recruitment 2026. Candidates who successfully applied for the 162 available vacancies can now log in and download their hall tickets directly from the official website. This highly anticipated recruitment drive offers a golden opportunity for graduates seeking a secure and prestigious Sarkari Naukri in the central government banking sector.
This role provides exceptional stability, an excellent pay scale, and a chance to contribute to India’s rural and agricultural development. Before heading to the examination center, candidates are highly advised to review the exam guidelines, detailed selection procedure, syllabus, and pay scale information comprehensively covered in this article.
NABARD DA Recruitment 2026: Overview & Admit Card Link
| Organization Name | National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development (NABARD) |
| Post Name | Group B Development Assistant (General & Hindi) |
| Total Vacancies | 162 Posts |
| Admit Card Release Date | 14 February 2026 |
| Phase 1 (Pre) Exam Date | 21 February 2026 |
| Official Website | www.nabard.org |
| Download Pre Admit Card | Click Here to Download |
Important Dates for NABARD Recruitment 2026
Keeping track of the important dates is crucial for every competitive exam aspirant. The application window has closed, and the focus is now entirely on the upcoming Phase 1 and Phase 2 examinations. Below is the complete schedule for the NABARD Group B Development Assistant Recruitment 2026:
| Important Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| Application Begin Date | 17/01/2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 03/02/2026 |
| Last Date to Pay Exam Fee | 03/02/2026 |
| Reprint Application Form Last Date | 18/02/2026 |
| Group B Phase 1 (Pre) Exam Date | 21/02/2026 |
| Admit Card Available | 14/02/2026 |
| Group B Phase 2 (Mains) Exam Date | 12/04/2026 |
| Phase 2 Admit Card Available | Before Exam |
Application Fee Details
The examination fee structure is categorized to provide relaxations to reserved categories. Candidates were required to pay the examination fee through online modes such as Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or via E-Challan. The fee details are as follows:
- General / OBC / EWS Candidates: ₹ 550/-
- SC / ST Candidates: ₹ 100/-
- PH (Divyang) Candidates: ₹ 100/-
NABARD Group B Development Assistant: Age Limit (As on 01/01/2026)
To be eligible for the NABARD Development Assistant post, candidates must fall within the specified age bracket as of January 1, 2026. Meeting the age criteria is the first step in the document verification process.
- Minimum Age: 21 Years
- Maximum Age: 35 Years
- Age Relaxation: Extra age relaxation is applicable as per the official NABARD Group B Development Assistant Recruitment Rules. Candidates belonging to SC/ST categories usually receive a 5-year relaxation, while OBC candidates receive a 3-year relaxation. PwBD candidates are also entitled to age relaxations as per government norms.
NABARD Development Assistant Vacancy Details & Eligibility 2026
The recruitment drive is aiming to fill a total of 162 Posts. The vacancies are divided into two distinct profiles: the general Development Assistant and the specialized Development Assistant (Hindi). Below is the detailed breakdown of the educational qualifications required for both profiles.
| Post Name | Total Posts | NABARD Group B Development Assistant Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Group B Development Assistant | 159 |
|
| Development Assistant (Hindi) | 03 |
|
Job Profile and Salary Structure of NABARD Development Assistant
One of the main reasons banking aspirants heavily target NABARD is the exceptional job profile and the lucrative pay scale it offers. A Development Assistant in NABARD enjoys a well-balanced professional life along with great financial perks.
Salary Structure 2026
The starting basic pay for a Development Assistant is ₹ 23,100/- per month (which includes two advance increments). When combined with various allowances such as Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), City Compensatory Allowance, and Transport Allowance, the initial gross monthly salary stands at approximately ₹ 46,500/-. After standard deductions, the net in-hand salary is approximately ₹ 43,172/-. Furthermore, employees benefit from medical reimbursements, Leave Travel Concession (LTC), and loans at concessional interest rates.
Roles and Responsibilities
As a Development Assistant, your primary role involves clerical and administrative duties that drive NABARD’s rural development initiatives. Key responsibilities include:
- Assisting senior officials in the implementation of central and state government policies related to agriculture and rural development.
- Handling day-to-day office correspondence, data entry, and managing the donor database.
- Dealing with banks, cooperative societies, and maintaining positive relationships with rural financial institutions.
- Preparing comprehensive reports and ensuring the smooth workflow of departmental operations.
NABARD Development Assistant Selection Process 2026
The selection process for the NABARD Group B Development Assistant is rigorous and designed to test candidates on multiple fronts. The process is divided into three main stages:
- Phase I: Preliminary Examination (Objective) – This is a qualifying screening test. Marks obtained in Prelims will not be added to the final merit list.
- Phase II: Main Examination (Objective + Descriptive) – The final selection is based purely on the performance in the Mains examination.
- Language Proficiency Test (LPT) – Candidates who clear the Mains will undergo an LPT in the official language of the state they applied for (unless they have studied the language in 10th/12th standard). It is qualifying in nature.
Phase 1: Preliminary Exam Pattern
The Prelims exam will be held online and consists of three sections. There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer. The duration of the exam is 60 minutes.
| Name of Test | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 40 | 40 | Composite Time of 60 Minutes |
| Numerical Ability | 30 | 30 | |
| Reasoning Ability | 30 | 30 | |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Phase 2: Mains Exam Pattern
The Mains exam is the deciding factor for your selection. It consists of both objective and descriptive components.
- Objective Subjects: Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness (with special reference to Agriculture, Rural Development, and Banking), and Computer Knowledge.
- Descriptive Subject: English Language (Essay, Précis writing, Report/Letter Writing).
- Total Marks: 200 Marks.
Preparation Strategy for NABARD DA 2026
Clearing a highly competitive exam like NABARD requires a strategic approach. Here are a few expert tips to guide your preparation:
- Focus on Accuracy in Prelims: The preliminary exam is all about speed and accuracy. Practice simplification, number series, and quadratic equations daily to boost your numerical ability scores. For reasoning, solve puzzles and seating arrangements consistently.
- Master General Awareness: Since General Awareness in Mains carries high weightage (50 marks) and focuses heavily on Agriculture and Rural Development, candidates must read daily current affairs. Focus on government schemes, RBI policies, and basic agronomy.
- Descriptive English Practice: Do not ignore the descriptive paper. Practice typing essays and letters on a computer to improve your speed and grammatical accuracy. Topics usually revolve around the rural economy, banking trends, and social issues.
- Mock Tests: Attempt at least one full-length mock test daily in the week leading up to the exam. Analyze your weak points thoroughly and revise them immediately.
How to Download NABARD DA Prelims Admit Card 2026
Candidates who applied between 17/01/2026 to 03/02/2026 can now access their Phase 1 Admit Cards. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth download process:
- Visit the Official Portal: Go to the official NABARD website (www.nabard.org).
- Navigate to Careers: Look for the “Career Notices” or “Recruitment” tab on the homepage.
- Find the Admit Card Link: Click on the link that reads “Download Call Letter for Preliminary Examination – Development Assistant 2026”.
- Enter Credentials: Submit your Registration Number / Roll Number along with your Password / Date of Birth.
- Print the Admit Card: Once displayed on the screen, verify all the details (Name, Exam Center, Timings) and take a clear, colored printout.
Important Reminder for Exam Day: Candidates must carry the printed admit card along with an original valid Photo ID proof (like Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, or Voter ID), a photocopy of the same ID, and recent passport-size photographs to the examination center.
Some Useful Important Links
Bookmark these direct links to save time and get quick access to official portals and downloads.
| Download Pre Admit Card | Click Here |
| Download Detailed Notification | Click Here |
| NABARD Official Website | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. When is the NABARD Development Assistant Prelims Exam scheduled for 2026?
Ans: The Phase 1 Preliminary Examination is officially scheduled to be conducted on 21 February 2026.
Q2. What is the in-hand salary of a newly recruited NABARD Development Assistant?
Ans: After adding all allowances and deducting standard statutory deductions, the net in-hand salary is approximately ₹ 43,172 per month.
Q3. Is there any negative marking in the Phase 1 and Phase 2 exams?
Ans: Yes, there is a penalty for wrong answers. A deduction of 0.25 marks (1/4th of the marks assigned to that question) will be made for every incorrect answer in both the Prelims and objective sections of the Mains exam.
Q4. Will the marks obtained in the Preliminary exam be counted for the final selection?
Ans: No, the Preliminary exam is strictly qualifying in nature. The final merit list is prepared entirely based on the marks secured in the Phase 2 Mains Examination, subject to clearing the Language Proficiency Test.
Q5. How can I download the admit card if I forgot my registration number?
Ans: You can retrieve your registration details by checking the email and SMS you received during the initial application process. Alternatively, check the “Forgot Password/Registration” link on the IBPS/NABARD login portal.
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Interested Candidates Can Read the Full NABARD Group B Development Assistant Exam 2026 Notification Before Appearing for the Exam. Best of luck with your preparations!
