ESI Questions Asked in NABARD Grade A Previous Exams
Economic & Social Issues ESI Questions Asked in NABARD Grade A Exam. As we all know that NABARD Grade A exam is one of the most prestigious exams for aspirants looking to build a career in the rural development and agricultural sector. One of the key sections in NABARD Grade A is Economic & Social Issues (ESI), which tests candidates’ understanding of the economic and social challenges facing India.
This article provides a detailed analysis of the memory based ESI Questions Asked in NABARD Grade A Exam in previous year exams. It also offers insights into the types of questions, important topics, and preparation strategies to help candidates to crack this section in upcoming NABARD Grade A Exam.
ESI Questions Asked in NABARD Grade A Exam 2024
The Economic & Social Issues (ESI) section is a vital part of the NABARD Grade A exam, contributing 40 marks in the phase-1 and 100 marks in the phase-2. It tests candidates’ awareness of current affairs, economic developments, government schemes, and social issues, and current trends in the economic sector. A strong grasp of this section can significantly boost your overall score and improve your chances of selection. The 2024 exam continued to emphasize current trends and government initiatives in economic development. ESI Questions Asked in NABARD exam from below topics:
- Indian Economy: Structure, Growth, and Challenges: Questions on Basic concepts of GDP, GNP, and per capita income, Sectors of the Indian economy, Economic reforms, Agricultural Reforms and Policies, Social issues (education, healthcare, gender inequality).
- Government Schemes: Focus on PMJDY, Role of microfinance and Self-Help Groups, Kisan Credit Card (KCC), Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan and NREGA.
- Current Affairs: Questions on the latest Economic & Social Issues, current trends in the economic sector and global economic trends.
Here are 40 ESI Questions Asked in NABARD Grade A 2024 exam with answers:
- Diksha Platform (Samagra Shiksha Abhiyaan) is managed by which entity? – NCERT
- Duration of Short-Term Training under PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0. – ranging between 150 and 300 hours
- As per the Union Budget 2024-25, a “Transit Oriented Development Plan” will be launched for large cities with a population above. – 3 Million
- Which fund has been created out of contributions made by banks due to a shortfall in PSL lending? – RIDF
- As per the operational guidelines of the MIDH Scheme, what is the eligible Cold Storage capacity for assistance under the MIDH? – 5000 MT
- The SAARTHI Portal was launched as part of the PM Fasal Bima Yojana by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare in collaboration with which organization?
- Which initiative of FSSAI focuses on creating safe, healthy, and sustainable food environments within various institutions and workplaces?
- Which of the following is not a key target of PM – Matsya Sampada Yojana?
- Which of the following schemes are subsumed under PM VIKAS yoajana?
- What is the total outlay for NAMAMI Gange for the 15th Finance Commission cycle?
- As per the Union Budget 2024-25, what amount has been provided for the Venture Capital Fund to be set up for expanding the space economy by five times in the next 10 years?
- Which of the following is not one of the four pillars of the QCI-Surajya Recognition & Ranking Framework?
- Which of the following are the objectives of PM Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan, as announced in the Union Budget 2024-25?
- As per the Union Budget 2024-25, what amount has been provided as financial support for higher education loans in domestic institutions for youth who are not covered in any government scheme?
- As per the information from DGCIS, the share of export of MSME products in all India exports during 2023-24 was what percentage?
- Which of the following tribes is not one of the five PVTGs found in Andaman and Nicobar Islands?
- As per the Botanical Survey of India (BSI), presently 2970 plant species (not endemic to India) have been assessed by the IUCN and kept in the “Red List”. Which of the following is not a category in the Red List of the IUCN ranking framework?
- The Government of India fixes MSP for 22 mandated agriculture crops, as recommended by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) is announced for which crop?
- Which of the boards is not a commodity board under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry? – Resins and Gums Board
- How much percentage of the vacancies is reserved for Ex-Agniveers in the recruitment to the post of Constable/Riflement in the CAPF, Assam Rifles, CISF, and BSF? 10%.
- NABARD has been appointed as the National Implementing Entity of which of the following fund attributed to climate change? – Adaptation Fund of UNFCCC.
- Which of the following states is not a part of seven selected PM MITRA Parks?– Rajasthan
- The government of India earlier set a target of 20% ethanol blending in petrol by 2030. Recently this target has been advanced to which year?– 2025-26.
- The FDI limit in the renewable energy sector is up to what percentage, under automatic route? – 100%
- Under the Monetary Policy Statement – August 2024, which policy rate was retained at 6.75%? –
- As per the Public Procurement Policy, what percentage of the total procurement by Central Ministries, Departments, and CPSEs must be from Micro, and small enterprises, apart from 4% from SC/ST-owned MSEs and 3% from women-owned MSEs?
- Which of the following is the eligible age group for enrollment in the PM – Shram Yogi Maan Dhan Yoajana?
- Which of the following entities is the implementing agency for MSE GIFT and MSE SPICE components of the RAMP Programme?
- As per the NITI Aayog’s Sampoornata Abhiyaan, which scheme of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare is related to one KPI in the Aspirational District Programme (ADP) and Aspirational Block Programme (ABP)?
- As per the Union Budget 2024-25, which of the following states is not included under a comprehension plan for the all-round development of the Eastern Region?
- “Ek Ped Maa ke Naam” campaign was launched on World Environment Day. When is this day celebrated?
- The Union Government has enacted several laws to prevent discrimination against women in the workplace as well as increasing the participation of women in various economic sectors. Arrange the following Acts in the oldest to newest order – Equal Remuneration Act, Payment of Wages Act, Maternity Benefit Act, and Minimum Wages Act.
- The Union Cabinet has recently approved the setting up of three national-level multi-state cooperative societies. Which of the target areas is not covered by these three new societies?
- Cooperative sectors carry out activities in which of the following sectors in India?
- Under the “Non-Institutional Care” component of Mission Vatsalya, support is extended to which of the following options?
- Which of the following schemes is not implemented by the Ministry of MSME?
- Which of the following portals, which was launched in 2017, aims to ensure effective enforcement of the provisions of the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act 1986? –PENCIL
- As per the RBI Guidelines, “Bulk Deposit” in the case of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) means a single-term deposit above what amount? – Rs 3 Crore and above
- Which of the following is the first community institution created by NABARD to achieve inclusive development in India? – Vikas Volunteer Vahini
- Which of the following statements is/are correct concerning credit risk guarantees on affordable housing loans under the PM Awas Yojana Urban 2.0?
Best ESI Book for NABARD Grade A Exam 2025
At Let’s Study Together (LST) we understand our students’ requirements and keeping it in mind, The LST Team created a Very special “A Complete Book for NABARD Grade A Economic & Social Issues (ESI) 2024- 4500+ Questions with Detailed Answers” to crack NABARD Grade A & B exam. These questions are made by our experts after carefully examining previous years’ question papers of NABARD. If you prepare this thoroughly, you can very easily crack the NABARD ESI Section.
Pervious Year ESI Questions Asked in NABARD Grade A Exam
The previous year NABARD Grade A memory-based questions of Economic & Social Issues (ESI) helps candidates familiarize themselves with the type of questions, their difficulty level, and the pattern of questions that appeared in the actual NABARD Grade A exam. The NABARD Grade A exam highlighted the importance of understanding both theoretical concepts and practical applications. Below some of the important ESI topics in which ESI questions asked in NABARD Grade A & B exam-
- Indian Economy & Economic Reforms
- Economic Growth & Development
- Five-Year Plans & NITI Aayog
- Economic Reforms (Liberalization, Privatization, Globalization – LPG)
- Sectors of the Indian Economy (Primary, Secondary, Tertiary)
- National Income: GDP, GNP, NDP, NNP, Per Capita Income
- Inflation: Types, Causes, and Impact
- Monetary and Fiscal Policy (RBI Policies, Budget, Taxation)
- Banking and Financial Institutions (NABARD, RBI, SIDBI, etc.)
- Financial Inclusion & Priority Sector Lending (PSL)
- Government Schemes & Programs
- Rural Development Schemes (MGNREGA, NRLM, PM-KISAN, PMGSY)
- Poverty Alleviation Programs
- Social Welfare Schemes (Ayushman Bharat, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Ujjwala Yojana)
- Agriculture & Farmer Welfare Schemes (PM Fasal Bima Yojana, KCC, PM-KISAN)
- Education and Skill Development Schemes (NEP 2020, Skill India, PMKVY)
- Health Sector Initiatives (Ayushman Bharat, National Health Mission)
- Digital India & Start-up India Initiatives
- Social Issues in India
- Unemployment & Employment Generation Programs
- Poverty & Income Inequality
- Rural-Urban Disparities
- Gender Issues & Women Empowerment
- Population Growth & Demographic Trends
- Human Development Index (HDI), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Social Justice and Inclusive Growth
- Agriculture & Rural Development
- Role of Agriculture in the Indian Economy
- Agricultural Reforms & Policies
- Land Reforms & Land Tenure System
- Irrigation & Water Resource Management
- Agricultural Credit & NABARD’s Role
- Farm Mechanization & Technology in Agriculture
- International Economic & Social Issues
- World Bank, IMF, WTO, ADB & their Role in India
- Trade Agreements & India’s Foreign Trade Policies
- Globalization & Its Impact on India
- Sustainable Development & Environmental Concerns
- Latest Reports & Indices
- Economic Survey of India
- Union Budget Highlights
- RBI Reports & Monetary Policy Updates
- Global Reports like the Human Development Index (HDI), Global Hunger Index (GHI), Ease of Doing Business, etc.
- Current Affairs Related to Economy & Social Issues
- Important Economic & Social Issues in News
- Major Government Policy Changes
- RBI, NABARD, SEBI, and Other Financial Institutions Updates
- Agriculture & Rural Economy Developments
Here are some ESI Questions Asked in NABARD Grade A exam with answers:
- Objective of NIPUN Bharat? To enhance the proficiency in reading and numeracy
- Objective of EASE reforms Index? – To measure the performance of banks
- EASE Reforms Index deal with which of the following factor? Reforms in the Public Sector Banks (PSBs).
- Which of the following is not an objective of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evem Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) scheme ? To help women in solar villages to regain their status as Dhaanya Lakshmi
- Kisan Credit Card Scheme was introduced in which year? 1998
- Which organization has launched ”Sahi Disha” campaign to celebrate women’s livelihoods in rural India? UNDP
- What is the definition of child under Prevention of Child Marriage Act? A child is a person who has not completed 21 years in case of male and 18 years in case of female as per section 2 of the Prevention of Child Marriage Act.
- Under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) there is provision of free distribution of ___________ Kg of Food grains? 5 kg
- Beej Bachao Andolan (Save the Seeds Movement) was introduced for the first time by – Vijay Jardhari
- Samagra Shiksha was launched in which year? 2018
- Which of the following is not correct with respect to New Development Bank (NDB)- It is the initiative of ASEAN Groups
- Beti Bachao Beti Padhao yojana is related to decline of trend in which of the following? Child Sex Ratio (CSR)
- Which of the following is not correct with respect to Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)? It has 195 members
- 15th Finance commission commencement date – 1st April 2021
- Which of the following articles of the constitution of India prohibits employment of children in factories? Article 24
- InvITs are registered in the form of – Trusts
- Retail inflation in India is measured by which of the following indices? CPI
- Difference between exports and imports is known as- Balance of Trade
- How much fiscal deficit is targeted in union budget 2021? 8
- Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan was launched in which year? 2018-19
- Which of the following organizations recommends the appointment of MD and CEO of Public sector banks? – Bank Boards Bureau
- What is the objective of PM KUSUM? Options were incorrect so you had to choose the best possible option and that is – empowering women in agriculture (as this was the only option where agri was mentioned)
- NEP Gross enrolment ratio target of 50% in higher education till which year? 2035
- A committee was formed to look into the issues and concerns of Micro Finance Institution sector. Who was the chairperson? YH Malegam
- Under PM Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana, how much amount of food grains per person per month has been distributed to 80 Crore beneficiaries? 5kg
- What is the objective of UNDP Sahi Disha Campaign? To highlight the issues that impact the opportunities for women in rural India to access jobs and livelihoods.
- Number of pillars on which union budget 2021-22 was based? – Six
- Health and Well being
- Physical & financial capital, and infrastructure
- Inclusive development for aspirational India
- Reinvigorating human capital
- Innovation and R&D
- Minimum government and maximum governance
- It is proposed to increase the limit for tax audit for persons who are undertaking …………. of their transactions digitally from Rs.5 crore to Rs.10 crore – 95%
- Top export destination for Indian Floriculture? USA
- How much amount of insurance has been provided to health workers under PM Garib Kalyan Package insurance? 50 Lakh
- Which of the following is not a member of SCO? Afghanistan (Which is an observer country)
- Who is a child under Protection of child marriage act? A child is a person who has not completed 21 years in case of male and 18 years in case of female.
- NEP recommendation was given by a committee chaired by – – K Kasturirangan
- Incorrect statement regarding Central sector scheme for financing facility under Agri Infra Fund? Don’t remember the options. But it has been covered recently in government schemes session.
- PM Awas Yojana – Urban launched in – 2015
- FAO headquartered in – Rome
- Calory intake recommended by Ministry of labour and employment to decide minimum wages? 2400 or 2700
- How much percent of their budget, states should spend on health, as recommended by 15th FC? 8%
- Three statements were given to identify the scheme. All the statements are related to SHGs- DAY NRLM
- First river linking project of India? Ken-Betwa linking project
- Financial stability report was launched by which of the following? RBI
- Beti Bachao Beti Padhao was launched to control which declining ratio? Child Sex Ratio
- Which of the following countries is not a member of ASEAN? India
- How many languages are there in 8th schedule of constitution? 22
- Beej Bacho Andolan was launched by whom? – Vijay Jardhari from Uttarakhand
- Which of the following types of MSMEs have been recently included in Priority Sector Lending targets? loans of up to Rs 50 crore towards start-ups would qualify for the priority sector
- Three features of a type of bank were given. Identify the bank – Small Finance Bank
- The committee which prepared National Policy Education 2020 was chaired by whom? Kasturirangan
- The Chairmen of public sector banks are selected by the – Banks Board Bureau (BBB)
- How many languages have been mentioned in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution? –22 languages
- With which of the following is Malegam Committee associated? Microfinance (MFI)
- What is the objective of the PM-KUSUM scheme? – to remove farmers’ dependence on diesel and kerosene and to link pump sets to solar energy
Important Preparation Strategy for ESI Section in NABARD Grade A Exam
The Economic & Social Issues (ESI) section is a high-scoring and crucial part of the NABARD Grade A exam. To excel in this section, candidates need a well-structured preparation strategy. Below these preparation tips, you can build a strong foundation in the ESI section and increase your chances of scoring well in the NABARD Grade A exam:
- Understand the Syllabus Thoroughly: Begin by familiarizing yourself with the Economic & Social Issues (ESI) syllabus. It includes topics like economic practices, government schemes, economic development programs, and current trends in agriculture. Break the syllabus into smaller sections and create a study plan to cover all topics systematically.
- Use Standard Study Materials: Use reliable books and resources such as “Agriculture at a Glance” by R.K. Sharma and “Rural Development” by Hari Singh. These books provide comprehensive coverage of the ARD syllabus and are highly recommended for NABARD exam preparation.
- Focus on Government Schemes and Policies: Government schemes play a crucial role in the Economic & Social Issues (ESI) section of the NABARD Grade A Exam. Some flagship government initiatives, particularly those related to agriculture, rural development, financial inclusion, and social welfare asked in this section. Government schemes like Agriculture & Farmer Welfare Schemes, Rural Development & Financial Inclusion Schemes, Women & Child Development Schemes, Education & Skill Development Schemes, Health & Social Welfare Schemes and Environment & Sustainable Development Schemes. Make a list of all important schemes, their objectives, benefits, and implementation status. Regularly update yourself with any changes or new initiatives.
- Stay Updated with Current Affairs: The ESI section often includes questions related to recent developments in economic sector. Read newspapers like The Hinduand Indian Express, and follow government websites like PIB (Press Information Bureau) and NABARD’s official portal for the latest updates. Authentic sources like PIB, Economic Survey, and Union Budget are the best.
- Solve Previous Year Question Papers: Solving previous year papers helps you understand the exam pattern, difficulty level, and frequently asked questions. It also improves your time management skills and boosts confidence.
- Practice with Mock Tests: Regularly attempt mock tests to assess your preparation level. Analyze your performance, identify weak areas, and work on improving them. Mock tests also help you get accustomed to the exam environment.
- Revise Regularly: Revision is key to retaining information. Create short notes for quick revision, especially for important topics like government schemes, agricultural practices, and current affairs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): ESI Questions Asked in NABARD Grade A Exam
Q1. What is the weightage of the Economic & Social Issues (ESI) section in the NABARD Grade A exam?
The Economic & Social Issues (ESI) section carries 40 marks in the Preliminary exam and 100 marks in the Mains exam.
Q2. What are the important topics in the ESI section of NABARD Grade A?
The key topics include Indian Economy, Inflation, Banking & Financial Institutions, Government Schemes, Social Issues, Rural Development, and International Economic Affairs.
Q3. Which government schemes are frequently asked in the ESI section?
Government Schemes like MGNREGA, PM-KISAN, PMFBY, Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme, PMKSY, NRLM, PMGSY, PMMVY, PMUY are commonly asked in the exam.
Q4. How can I prepare for the current affairs portion of the ESI section?
Regularly read newspapers like The Hindu and Indian Express, monthly current affairs PDFs and follow government websites like PIB and NABARD for updates. Authentic sources like PIB, Economic Survey, and Union Budget are the best. For NABARD ESI current Affairs Click Here
Q5. Are questions from previous years repeated in the NABARD Grade A exam?
While exact questions may not be repeated, similar topics and concepts are often tested. You can download free NABARD previous year papers –Click Here
Q6. How to prepare for descriptive questions in the ESI section?
Practice writing structured answers with data, government schemes, and economic analysis. Refer to previous year questions and RBI/NABARD reports.
Q7. What is the purpose of a memory-based paper for the NABARD Grade A exam?
The memory-based paper helps candidates familiarize themselves with the type of questions, their difficulty level, and the pattern of questions that appeared in the actual NABARD Grade A exam.
Q8. Can I clear the ESI section without coaching?
Yes, with consistent self-study, proper planning, and the right resources, you can clear the ESI section without coaching.