📈 NABARD Grade A Cut Off Analysis (2026-2026): Prelims, Mains, Final Trend
Data-based NABARD Grade A cutoff analysis with recent-year trend, official 2026 cutoffs, and practical safe-score ranges for serious 2026 preparation.
Quick Answer
NABARD Grade A cutoffs are moderate-to-high at Phase 1 and consistently competitive at Phase 2 and final selection. You should prepare for a safe margin above last-year cutoffs, not just for minimum qualification.
General Category Trend (RDBS General)
| Year | Phase 1 (out of 100 merit marks) | Phase 2 (out of 200) | Final (out of 250) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 53.50 | 118.42 | 164.33 |
| 2022 | 41.75 | 130.50 | 171.50 |
| 2023 | 46.00 | 128.50 | 172.75 |
| 2024 | 47.00 | 126.75 | 168.00 |
Official 2024 Cutoff Highlights
Phase 1 (General Discipline, UR)
- Overall merit-section cutoff (UR): 47.00
- Example sectional cutoffs for EWS/UR (test-wise):
- RE 3.25, EL 10.75, CK 4.00, QA 4.50, DM 2.00, GA 1.25, ESI 3.50, ARD 6.25
Phase 2 (General Discipline, UR)
- Merit section total cutoff: 126.75
- Group norms for General discipline (EWS/UR):
- Paper 1 Descriptive English: 54.00
- Paper 2 Objective: 22.25
- Paper 2 Descriptive: 32.00
Final Select List (General Discipline, UR)
- Final select-list cutoff: 168.00 (Main + Interview aggregate)
What Trend Tells You
- Phase 1 is a filter, but not trivial.
- Phase 2 remains the strongest differentiator.
- Final cutoff movement depends on paper level, vacancy mix, and interview performance.
Working Safe-Score Bands (Planning, Not Official)
| Stage | Suggested Target Band |
|---|---|
| Phase 1 Merit Aggregate | 55+ |
| Phase 2 Total | 132+ |
| Final Aggregate | 175+ |
These bands are strategy targets to reduce risk.
How to Use Cutoff Data Correctly
- Track 3-mock moving average, not a single high score.
- Separate objective and descriptive performance dashboards.
- Recalibrate targets when new official cutoff notices are published.
FAQs
Are NABARD cutoffs the same every year?
No. They move with difficulty, vacancies, and competition quality.
Which stage cutoff matters most for final selection?
Phase 2 and final aggregate are the most critical for rank and selection.
Where can I verify official cutoffs?
NABARD publishes stage-wise cutoff PDFs and select-list cutoffs in its Career Notices section.
Next Step
Move to Preparation Strategy and convert cutoff targets into a weekly plan.