Exams

7 Biggest Myths About NABARD Jobs – Busted!

August 20, 2025

If you are preparing for the NABARD Grade A Exam or planning a career with the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), you may have heard plenty of “facts” from seniors, coaching centers, or online forums. But not all NABARD myths that you hear is true!

So how do you sort the rumors and NABARD myths from actual facts? Understanding the reality is quite important if you are planning to prepare for NABARD exams anytime soon. No reason to panic, because we will definitely help you in sorting the rumors from facts.

In this blog, we’ll bust the 7 biggest NABARD myths about these jobs and give you the real picture so that your preparation is based on facts, not misconceptions.

NABARD Myths and Their Reality

Let’s examine each of these NABARD myths in detail so that you can understand and clear any false conceptions on NABARD that you may have:

NABARD Myth 1: Only Agriculture Graduates Can Clear NABARD

Reality: While NABARD does focus on Agriculture & Rural Development (ARD), the questions asked are conceptual and do not require a specialized degree. In fact, many successful candidates come from non-agricultural backgrounds such as engineering, management, and commerce. With the right preparation strategy, anyone can clear the exam.

NABARD Myth 2: You Must Be Excellent in Quant, Reasoning & English

Reality: These sections in the prelims are qualifying in nature. The real merit is calculated based on ARD, ESI (Economic & Social Issues), and General Awareness. That means you don’t need to be a topper in Quant, Reasoning, or English—you just need to clear the cutoff. Your main focus should be on the merit sections.

NABARD Myth 3: NABARD Exam Is as Tough as RBI Grade B

Reality: The NABARD Grade A exam is competitive, but it is considered relatively easier compared to RBI Grade B, especially in the prelims stage. The difficulty level of Quant, English, Reasoning, and Computer Knowledge is moderate. What makes NABARD unique is its emphasis on ARD and ESI, which requires a different preparation approach.

NABARD Myth 4: Prelims Has Too Many Subjects to Handle

Reality: It’s true that NABARD Prelims have multiple sections, but not all carry equal weight. Only ARD, ESI, and GA (General Awareness) are counted for merit. The rest—Quant, Reasoning, English, Computer Knowledge, and Decision Making—are qualifying. This means your preparation can be smartly prioritized without being overwhelmed.

NABARD Myth 5: The Descriptive Paper Is Extremely Tough

Reality: Many aspirants fear the descriptive paper in Mains. But with practice, typing speed improvement, and familiarity with previous year’s topics, you can easily manage it. The key lies in structuring your answers well, keeping them crisp, and practicing time management.

NABARD Myth 6: Government Jobs Like NABARD Have No Workload

Reality: This is one of the most common myths. NABARD jobs are not “sit and relax” jobs. Officers handle important roles in rural credit, development projects, and financial inclusion. The workload is decent, though not as hectic as many private-sector jobs. But remember—your performance and efficiency still matter.

NABARD Myth 7: NABARD Pays Sky-High Salary from Day One

Reality: The starting salary of a NABARD Grade A officer is indeed attractive—basic pay of ₹44,500/month with gross emoluments close to ₹1,00,000/month. However, the true value of a NABARD career lies in its long-term benefits like pension, allowances, medical facilities, loan concessions, and overall job stability. It’s not just about instant high pay—it’s about career growth and security.

Quick Recap: NABARD Job Myths vs. Facts

If we have successfully confused you, don’t worry, we’ve got your backs. Check out the table below to get a brief summary on the seven common NABARD myths you have to know.

NABARD Myths	The Actual Reality
Only agriculture graduates can clear NABARD	Anyone with the right prep strategy can qualify
Must excel in Quant, Reasoning & English	Focus should be on ARD, ESI & GA
NABARD is as tough as RBI Grade B	NABARD is competitive but less difficult
Prelims has too many subjects	Only 3 count for merit, rest are qualifying
Descriptive paper is too tough	Practice makes it manageable
NABARD = zero workload	Workload exists, but balanced
NABARD = huge salary from start	Salary is good, benefits make it better

Why Busting These NABARD Myths Matter

When it comes to competitive exams like NABARD Grade A and Grade B, the difference between success and failure often lies in how smartly you prepare. Unfortunately, many aspirants fall prey to half-baked advice, misleading guidance, or overhyped fears about the exam and the job itself. These misconceptions, or NABARD myths, can become serious obstacles in your preparation journey.

Misguided Preparation Strategy

One of the biggest dangers of believing these myths is that you may end up allocating your time and energy to the wrong areas. For instance, some aspirants waste months trying to master advanced-level Quantitative Aptitude or English, thinking that scoring high in these sections will make or break their selection.

By focusing on the wrong priorities, you not only lose precious time but also weaken your chances of cracking the exam. To avoid this, it is always helpful to refer to NABARD previous year papers or take NABARD Grade A mock tests that highlight the real weightage of subjects.

Wasting Study Hours on Low-Priority Areas

Every aspirant has limited time to prepare, especially if they are balancing work or other commitments. Falling for myths can make you spend long hours on subjects that barely affect the merit list. For example, stressing excessively over Computer Knowledge or Decision Making may give you confidence, but it won’t push you higher in the selection ladder.

Instead, consistent effort in descriptive writing, ARD, and current affairs could prove far more rewarding. A smart way to practice is by enrolling in a structured NABARD Grade A online course, where subject weightage and preparation strategy are clearly outlined.

Building Unrealistic Job Expectations

NABARD Myths don’t just impact exam preparation—they also distort expectations about the job itself. Many candidates assume NABARD jobs mean minimal workload and sky-high salaries from day one. The reality is more balanced: while the pay and perks are excellent, NABARD officers handle significant responsibilities in rural development, policy execution, and financial supervision.

The Smarter Way Forward

By clearing these misconceptions, you prepare with focus and clarity. You learn to direct your energy where it matters most, understand the true nature of the job, and set realistic yet ambitious goals. In short, busting these myths ensures that you’re not just working hard—you’re working smart toward cracking NABARD Grade B and A exams. Get more information from the video below:

Summing Up

NABARD offers one of the most rewarding careers in the government and banking sector. It combines job security, good pay, and the opportunity to contribute directly to India’s rural and agricultural development.

So, instead of getting trapped in misconceptions, focus on building a smart preparation plan, practicing past year papers, and strengthening your ARD, ESI, and GA. Remember—clarity is your biggest strength!

ixamBee specializes in providing expert guidance and resources for banking exams 2025, ensuring that you are well-prepared for the Upcoming Bank Exams like RBI Grade B, NABARD Grade B, IBPS SO, and more. Our courses align with the bank exam calendar 2025, covering all the essential topics. With a focus on the upcoming bank jobs, our Previous Year Papers, BeePedia, SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, SSC MTS and other Mock Tests are designed to help you excel in upcoming banking exams.