NABARD Development Assistant Prelims Exam Analysis 2026, 21 February Shift 1

The NABARD Development Assistant Prelims Exam Analysis 2026, Shift 1 has been conducted smoothly across centres nationwide. As per candidates’ feedback, the paper was of easy to moderate difficulty, and aspirants with strong fundamentals and good time management were able to attempt a satisfactory number of questions.

NABARD Development Assistant Prelims Exam Analysis 2026, 21 February Shift 1

Overall, the question paper featured a balanced distribution of sections including Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Language. Conducted by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, the exam primarily focused on fundamental concepts, though certain questions particularly from puzzles and data interpretation were relatively time-intensive for many candidates.

NABARD Development Assistant Prelims Exam 2026, 21 February Shift 1: Difficulty Level

The overall difficulty level of Shift 1 was Easy to Moderate. While English was relatively straightforward, Quantitative Aptitude had a few calculative questions. Reasoning included standard puzzles that required careful reading but were solvable within time.

NABARD DA Prelims Exam 2026, 21 February Shift 1: Good Attempts

Based on student feedback and exam pattern, a safe number of good attempts is estimated as follows. Candidates with high accuracy within this range are likely to stay in a competitive position.

NABARD Development Assistant Prelims Exam Analysis 2026: Section-Wise Analysis

The exam was divided into three sections with sectional timing. Below is the detailed section-wise review of Shift 1.

Reasoning Ability

The Reasoning section was Easy to Moderate and largely puzzle-driven. Most questions were from familiar topics, making it scoring for well-prepared candidates.

Quantitative Aptitude

The Quantitative Aptitude section was easy to moderate, with emphasis on arithmetic and data interpretation. A few questions required careful calculation but were not conceptually difficult.

English Language

The English section was considered the easiest among the three. Questions were largely based on grammar fundamentals and contextual understanding.

What Next After the NABARD DA Exam?

After the Prelims, shortlisted candidates will be called for the Mains Examination, which is the final stage of the selection process. The Mains paper is more comprehensive and tests candidates on Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness (with special focus on Banking/Agriculture), Computer Knowledge, and English.

Candidates should begin Mains preparation immediately without waiting for the result, as the gap between stages is usually limited. Final selection is based on performance in the Mains exam followed by document verification.

NABARD DA Prelims 2026 Good Attempts vs Cut Off Analysis

The relationship between good attempts and the expected cut off helps candidates estimate their chances of qualifying for the next stage. With the exam reported as easy to moderate, higher attempts with strong accuracy will be key to staying competitive.

Key Insights:

• Candidates with attempts in the safe range and high accuracy are likely to clear the cut off.
• Easy to moderate papers generally lead to higher cut off marks.
• Accuracy matters more than just the number of attempts.
• Sectional performance can also influence overall standing.
• Final cut off will depend on vacancies, overall performance, and normalization (if applicable).

NABARD Development Assistant Prelims Exam Analysis 2026, 21 February Shift 1: Video Link