NABARD Recruitment 2026: Apply Now for 162 Development Assistant Vacancies

January 17, 2026: The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has officially released its 2026 recruitment notification, inviting applications for 162 vacancies for the post of Development Assistant and Development Assistant (Hindi).

As an apex development financial institution, NABARD offers a prestigious career path for those looking to contribute to India’s rural and agricultural growth. The online application window is now open on the official website, and eligible candidates are encouraged to apply before the deadline.

Important Dates at a Glance

To ensure a smooth application process, candidates should keep track of the following key dates:

Event	Date
Notification Release Date	January 15, 2026
Online Application Start Date	January 17, 2026
Last Date to Apply Online	February 3, 2026
Phase-I (Preliminary) Exam Date	February 21, 2026
Phase-II (Mains) Exam Date	April 12, 2026

Vacancy Details

The recruitment drive aims to fill a total of 162 Group ‘B’ positions. The distribution of posts is as follows:

• Development Assistant: 159 Posts
• Development Assistant (Hindi): 03 Posts

These vacancies are spread across various Regional Offices (ROs) and the Head Office in Mumbai. Candidates can apply for vacancies in one state only and must be proficient in the local language of that state.

Eligibility Criteria

Before heading to the application portal, ensure you meet the following requirements as of January 1, 2026:

1. Educational Qualification

• Development Assistant: A 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).
• Development Assistant (Hindi): A Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university in English/Hindi medium with Hindi and English as compulsory or elective subjects with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate. Candidates must also be able to translate from English to Hindi and vice versa.

2. Age Limit

• Minimum Age: 21 Years
• Maximum Age: 35 Years
• Note: Age relaxation is applicable for reserved categories (SC, ST, OBC, PWBD, etc.) as per Government of India norms.

Selection Process & Exam Pattern

The selection for NABARD Development Assistant consists of three distinct stages:

1. Phase I: Preliminary Examination (Online)An objective test of 100 marks covering English Language (40 marks), Numerical Ability (30 marks), and Reasoning Ability (30 marks).
2. Phase II: Main Examination (Online)A combination of objective and descriptive tests (200 marks total). It includes tests on General Awareness (with a focus on agriculture and rural development), Computer Knowledge, and an English Descriptive paper (Essay, Précis, and Letter writing).
3. Language Proficiency Test (LPT)Candidates who qualify for the Mains will undergo a test in the official language of the state they applied for. This stage is qualifying in nature.

Salary and Benefits

Selected candidates will receive a competitive remuneration package. The starting basic pay is approximately ₹23,100 per month, with gross emoluments reaching roughly ₹32,000 per month including allowances like Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, and City Compensatory Allowance.

How to Apply Online

1. Visit the official NABARD website: www.nabard.org.
2. Click on the “Career Notices” section.
3. Look for the link: “Recruitment of Development Assistant/Development Assistant (Hindi) – 2026”.
4. Complete the New Registration by providing your basic details, mobile number, and email.
5. Log in with your credentials and fill out the application form carefully.
6. Upload required documents (Photo, Signature, Thumb Impression, Hand-written Declaration).
7. Pay the application fee (₹550 for General/OBC; ₹100 for SC/ST/PWBD) and submit.