NABARD Development Assistant Eligibility 2026

Bachelor's degree in any discipline with minimum 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwBD) in aggregate from a recognised university OR a recognised diploma in Banking and Finance with the equivalent qualifying threshold. The DA academic bar is materially lower than the Grade A 50% Bachelor's + Grade B 60% Bachelor's + Master's bar. Final-year students may apply in some cycles per the notification — verify the cycle's notification.

21 to 35 years as on the cut-off date specified in the notification (typically 1 January or 1 July of the exam year). Age relaxation: SC/ST +5 years (up to 40), OBC (non-creamy layer) +3 years (up to 38), PwBD +10 years over and above category relaxation, Ex-servicemen as per Government of India rules.

Citizen of India, OR subject of Nepal/Bhutan, OR Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962 with intent to settle permanently, OR person of Indian origin migrated from specified countries with intent to permanently settle in India. Non-Indian citizens require an eligibility certificate from the Government of India.

No formal cap on attempts — candidates may apply as long as they meet the upper age limit on the cut-off date. Application fee: Rs 450 for General/OBC/EWS, Rs 50 for SC/ST/PwBD (intimation charges only). Fee may shift by Rs 25-50 in any cycle; the notification is authoritative.

Always check against the official National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) notification — eligibility rules can change from one cycle to the next. The official links are at the bottom of this page.