NABARD Grade A preparation requires a unique dual focus: standard banking aptitude sections (Phase I) and specialized ARD + ESI knowledge. The 5-month plan below prioritises NABARD-specific content while maintaining aptitude fitness.
Phase A: ARD & ESI Foundation (Month 1–2)
- ARD (Priority): Read NABARD Annual Report Part II (Developmental Activities) fully. Make concise notes on: RIDF allocations, KCC statistics, PMFBY claims data, cooperative bank refinance figures. 1.5 hours daily.
- ESI: Complete Ramesh Singh's Indian Economy – Growth, Inflation, Agriculture chapter, Monetary Policy, External Sector. 1.5 hours daily.
- Phase I Aptitude: 1 hour daily – Reasoning (Puzzles) and QA (Arithmetic + DI). Start with R.S. Aggarwal basics.
- Descriptive Writing: Write 1 ARD-themed essay per week from Month 1. Topics: rural credit flow, NABARD's role in cooperative credit, financial inclusion.
Phase B: Phase I Full Coverage + Current Affairs (Month 3)
- Complete all 7 Phase I sections. ARD and ESI should be at revision stage by now.
- Current Affairs: Cover 6 months of banking and agriculture news – NABARD refinance announcements, RBI policy changes, MSP revisions, new agricultural schemes.
- Phase I Mocks: 2 full mocks per week. Target 120+ out of 200.
Phase C: Phase II Descriptive + Interview Prep (Month 4–5)
- Phase II descriptive: Write 2 essays + 1 précis per week. Topics from ARD and ESI – vary between agriculture policy, rural finance, NABARD-specific themes.
- Interview preparation: Master NABARD's history, structure (CGM, MD, Board), refinance schemes (ST/MT/LT), key metrics (credit flow to agriculture, RIDF utilisation).
- Take 2 full Phase I + Phase II mock cycles per week in the final month.