NABARD Development Assistant Recruitment 2026 for 162 Posts
Advertisement No. 08/DA/2025-26: The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has released a major recruitment notification for 162 posts of Development Assistant and Development Assistant (Hindi). Applications are invited from eligible Indian citizens to join the apex development financial institution. The online application window will be open from January 17, 2026, to February 03, 2026. This is a golden opportunity for graduates to build a career in an organization pivotal to India's rural and agricultural sectors.
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), an institution wholly owned by the Government of India, has announced its recruitment drive for the clerical cadre. This recruitment aims to fill 159 vacancies for the post of Development Assistant and 3 vacancies for Development Assistant (Hindi) across its regional offices in various states. This role is crucial for the implementation of NABARD's developmental initiatives at the grassroots level.
The selection process is a three-tiered system involving a Preliminary Examination, a Main Examination, and a Language Proficiency Test (LPT). The exams are designed to test the candidate's aptitude, general awareness, and language skills. Selected candidates will be offered a competitive starting salary with gross monthly emoluments of approximately ₹46,500. With a clear career progression path and the prestige of working with a premier national institution, this recruitment is a highly sought-after opportunity for aspiring banking professionals.
NABARD Development Assistant Recruitment 2026 (Important Points)
Candidates must take careful note of the key dates and details to ensure a smooth application and examination process. All updates will be published on the official NABARD website.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruitment Organization | National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) |
| Advertisement Number | 08/DA/2025-26 |
| Post Names | Development Assistant & Development Assistant (Hindi) |
| Total Vacancies | 162 (159 + 3) |
| Application Start Date | 17 January 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 03 February 2026 |
| Phase-I (Prelims) Exam Date | 21 February 2026 |
| Phase-II (Mains) Exam Date | 12 April 2026 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Job Type | Permanent (Government Bank) |
| Job Location | Various States across India |
| Official Website | www.nabard.org |
Vacancy Details
A total of 162 posts are available, distributed between the two roles and across various states. Candidates can apply for a vacancy in one state only.
| Post Name | Number of Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Development Assistant | 159 |
| Development Assistant (Hindi) | 03 |
| Total | 162 |
State-wise vacancies for Development Assistant include Andaman and Nicobar (1), Andhra Pradesh (7), Assam (5), Bihar (1), Chhattisgarh (5), Goa (1), Gujarat (9), Haryana (3), Himachal Pradesh (4), Jammu & Kashmir (3), Jharkhand (1), Karnataka (7), Kerala (3), Ladakh (2), Madhya Pradesh (10), Maharashtra (48), Manipur (2), Meghalaya (1), New Delhi (3), Odisha (8), Punjab (2), Rajasthan (5), Tamil Nadu (9), Uttar Pradesh (11), and West Bengal (8).
State-wise vacancies for Development Assistant (Hindi) are in Andhra Pradesh (1), Maharashtra (HO-Mumbai) (1), and Tamil Nadu (1).
Application Fee (Non-Refundable)
- For SC/ ST/ PWBD/ EXS candidates: ₹100/- (Intimation Charges only)
- For all other candidates (General/ OBC/ EWS): ₹450/- (Application Fee) + ₹100/- (Intimation Charges) = ₹550/-
Note: The above fees are exclusive of applicable GST (18%). The final amount will be calculated and shown on the payment gateway.
Eligibility Criteria (as on 01.01.2026)
Candidates must fulfill the age and educational qualification criteria as of the cut-off date to be eligible for the recruitment.
| Post Name | Age Limit & Educational Qualification |
|---|---|
| Development Assistant |
Age Limit: Between 21 and 35 years. Qualification: Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognized university with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate (Pass class for SC/ST/PWBD/EXS candidates). Skill: Knowledge of word processing on a PC. |
| Development Assistant (Hindi) |
Age Limit: Between 21 and 35 years. Qualification: Bachelor's Degree from a recognized university in English/Hindi medium with Hindi and English as a compulsory or elective subject, securing a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate (Pass class for SC/ST/PWBD/EXS candidates). OR Bachelor's Degree with Hindi and English as main subjects with 50% marks in aggregate (Pass class for reserved categories). Skill: Must be able to translate from English to Hindi and vice-versa, and have knowledge of word processing on a PC. |
Age Relaxation: Upper age limit is relaxable by 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC, 10 years for PWBD (General), and as per government rules for Ex-Servicemen.
Selection Process
The selection process for both posts will be conducted in three phases:
- Phase-I: Preliminary Examination (Online): This is a qualifying exam consisting of objective-type questions. Marks from this phase will not be considered for the final merit list.
- Phase-II: Main Examination (Online): Candidates shortlisted from the prelims (in a 1:25 ratio) will appear for the main exam. This exam consists of both objective and descriptive tests. The marks obtained in this phase will be used for final selection.
- Language Proficiency Test (LPT): Candidates who qualify in the main exam will have to undergo an LPT in the official language of the state they have applied for. This test is qualifying in nature. Candidates who have studied the official language in their 10th or 12th standard are exempted from the LPT.
Exam Pattern
The examination structure is different for Preliminary and Main exams, as well as for both posts. There will be a penalty of 1/4th mark for every wrong answer in the objective tests.
Development Assistant Exam Pattern
Phase-I: Preliminary Examination
| Test Name | No. of Qs | Max. Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test of English Language | 40 | 40 | 20 mins |
| Test of Numerical Ability | 30 | 30 | 20 mins |
| Test of Reasoning | 30 | 30 | 20 mins |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 mins |
Phase-II: Main Examination
| Test Name | No. of Qs | Max. Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test of Reasoning | 30 | 30 | 30 mins |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 30 | 30 mins |
| General Awareness (with special reference to agriculture, rural development, and banking) | 50 | 50 | 25 mins |
| Computer Knowledge | 40 | 40 | 20 mins |
| Test of English Language (Descriptive: Essay, Precis, Report/Letter Writing) | 03 | 50 | 30 mins |
| Total | - | 200 | 135 mins |
Development Assistant (Hindi) Exam Pattern
Phase-I: Preliminary Examination
| Test Name | No. of Qs | Max. Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test of English Language | 40 | 40 | 20 mins |
| Test of Professional Knowledge (Hindi/English) | 30 | 30 | 20 mins |
| Test of Reasoning | 30 | 30 | 20 mins |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 mins |
Phase-II: Main Examination
| Test Name | No. of Qs | Max. Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test of Reasoning | 20 | 20 | 25 mins |
| Test of Professional Knowledge (Hindi/English) | 50 | 50 | 35 mins |
| General Awareness (with special reference to agriculture, rural development, and banking) | 40 | 40 | 25 mins |
| Computer Knowledge | 40 | 40 | 20 mins |
| Test of English Language (Descriptive: Essay, Precis, Report/Letter Writing) | 03 | 50 | 30 mins |
| Total | - | 200 | 135 mins |
PET (Physical Efficiency Test)
There is no Physical Efficiency Test (PET) or Physical Standard Test (PST) applicable for this recruitment.
How to Prepare for the Exam
A well-structured preparation plan is essential to succeed in this competitive examination.
- Understand the Syllabus: Go through the detailed syllabus for both Prelims and Mains. Pay special attention to the General Awareness section, which focuses on agriculture, rural development, and banking.
- Prelims Strategy: The preliminary exam is a test of speed and accuracy. Practice a high number of mock tests to improve your time management skills in Reasoning, English, and Numerical Ability.
- Mains Strategy: For the main exam, focus on conceptual clarity. Study static banking awareness, agricultural schemes (like PM-KISAN, Fasal Bima Yojana), and recent developments in rural India. For the descriptive English paper, practice writing essays and letters on current topics.
- Language Skills: For the Development Assistant (Hindi) post, strengthen your translation skills and grammar in both Hindi and English.
- Stay Updated: Regularly read newspapers (like The Hindu or The Indian Express) and follow magazines like Kurukshetra and Yojana to cover the General Awareness section effectively.
Best Books for Preparation
Candidates can refer to these standard books for their preparation journey:
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How to Apply Online
The application process is conducted online through the NABARD website.
- Visit the official NABARD website at www.nabard.org and navigate to the "Career Notices" section.
- Find the link for "Recruitment to the post of Development Assistant / Development Assistant (Hindi)-2026" and click on it.
- Click on "Apply Online". You will be redirected to the IBPS application portal.
- Click on “Click here for New Registration” and provide your basic details like name, contact number, and email ID. A provisional registration number and password will be generated.
- Log in and fill out the detailed application form with your personal, educational, and communication details.
- Upload your scanned photograph, signature, left thumb impression, and a handwritten declaration as per the specified dimensions and size.
- Choose your preferred state for posting and examination center.
- Proceed to pay the application fee online.
- After successful payment, submit the application and take a printout of the final form and e-receipt for your records.
Documents Needed to Apply (for Scanning)
Keep the following documents scanned and ready before starting the online application:
- Photograph: 4.5cm × 3.5cm (20KB – 50KB).
- Signature: With black ink on white paper (10KB – 20KB).
- Left Thumb Impression: On white paper with black or blue ink (20KB – 50KB).
- Handwritten Declaration: The text, as specified in the notification, written in English on white paper with black ink (50KB – 100KB).
Important Links
| Action | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notification | Click Here |
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
(FAQs)
- Q1: Can I apply for vacancies in two different states?
No, a candidate can apply for vacancies in one state only. You must also be proficient in the official language of that state.
- Q2: Are the marks of the Preliminary Exam counted for final selection?
No, the Preliminary Exam is only qualifying in nature. The final merit list will be prepared based on the marks obtained in the Main Examination (Objective + Descriptive) only.
- Q3: What is the initial monthly salary for a Development Assistant at NABARD?
The initial monthly gross emoluments for a Development Assistant are approximately ₹46,500.
- Q4: I have a Bachelor's Degree with 49.5% marks. Am I eligible?
No, you must have a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate. As per the notification, a fraction of a percentage will be ignored (e.g., 49.99% will be treated as less than 50%). However, SC/ST/PWBD/EXS candidates only need to have a pass class.
