NABARD is hiring 16 specialists for cyber security and IT audit work, with yearly pay between Rs 12 lakh and Rs 40 lakh and no written exam. NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) is an all-India apex organisation owned fully by the Government of India. These are contract posts at its head office in Mumbai, and you can apply online at nabard.org from 09.10.2026 to 26.10.2026.
⚡ QUICK FACTS
🎓 Eligibility
Tech degree + certification
📌 Vacancies
16 Posts in 8 roles
💰 Salary
Rs 12 to 40 lakh a year
🗓️ Last Date
26.10.2026
Quick Navigation
Recruitment Overview
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Post Name | SOC Analyst, Information Security Analyst, Network Security Analyst, Ethical Hacker and Penetration Tester, Lead Auditor, Cyber and Network Security Specialist, IT Infrastructure and Banking Specialist, Cyber Security Analyst |
| Organization | National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Head Office, Mumbai |
| Notification / Advertisement No. | Advertisement No. 04 – Recruitment of Specialists on Contract 2026-27 (CISO and DoS-CSITE) |
| Location | Maharashtra (Mumbai) |
| Total Vacancies | 16 (UR 15, OBC 1; SC, ST and EWS 0) |
| Qualification | Engineering degree (BE/B.Tech), MCA or a Master’s in a computer, IT or electronics subject, plus a certificate for the post. See the tables below. |
| Age Limit | 24 to 45 years as on 01.10.2026 (varies by post — see table below) Check your age eligibility → |
| Selection Process | Online application → Shortlisting (1:3) → Interview → Medical fitness check |
| Pay Scale | Rs 12 lakh to Rs 40 lakh a year, depending on the post |
| How to Apply | Online only at www.nabard.org |
| Official Notification | Download Notification PDF |
| Official Website / Apply Online | www.nabard.org |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 09.10.2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 09.10.2026 |
| Last Date to Apply and Pay Fee Online | 26.10.2026 |
| Age and Qualification Counted As On | 01.10.2026 |
| Interview Date | Not specified in notification |
Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee | Intimation Charges | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| SC, ST and PwBD | NIL | Rs 150 | Rs 150 |
| All others | Rs 700 | Rs 150 | Rs 850 |
PwBD means persons with benchmark disabilities. The amounts above are before GST, the fee cannot be refunded, and you also pay the bank charges for the online payment.
Vacancy Details
| No. | Post | Department | SC | ST | OBC | EWS | UR | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SOC Analyst | CISO | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| 2 | Information Security Analyst | CISO | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| 3 | Network Security Analyst | CISO | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 4 | Ethical Hacker and Penetration Tester | CISO | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 5 | Lead Auditor | DoS-CSITE | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 6 | Cyber and Network Security Specialist | DoS-CSITE | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 7 | IT Infrastructure and Banking Specialist | DoS-CSITE | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 8 | Cyber Security Analyst | DoS-CSITE | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Total | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 16 |
UR means unreserved (the general category). CISO is the Chief Information Security Office, and DoS is the Department of Supervision. The notice does not spell out what CSITE stands for.
Eligibility Criteria
| Criterion | Detail |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian citizens |
| Education – Posts 1 to 4 (SOC Analyst, Information Security Analyst, Network Security Analyst, Ethical Hacker and Penetration Tester) | BE/B.Tech in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, Electronics and Communication, Information Science, Electrical or Cyber Security; OR MCA; OR a Post Graduate degree in Computer Science, IT, Cyber Security, Information Security, Computer Engineering, Information Systems, Software Engineering or Electronics and Communication Engineering. Minimum 60% marks or equivalent grade. |
| Education – Posts 5 to 8 (Lead Auditor, Cyber and Network Security Specialist, IT Infrastructure and Banking Specialist, Cyber Security Analyst) | BE/B.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering or IT; OR a Bachelor’s degree in any subject with a Master’s in Computer Science, IT or Electronics and Communication Engineering. The notice does not state a minimum percentage for these posts. |
| Age Limit | Different for each post, counted as on 01.10.2026. See the post-wise table below. Check your age eligibility → |
| Age Relaxation | Not specified in notification |
| Certification and Experience | Both are mandatory. Each post has its own rule, shown in the post-wise table below. |
Post-wise Age (as on 01.10.2026), Certification and Experience
| Post | Age Limit | Mandatory Certification | Mandatory Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOC Analyst | 24 to 35 years | Any one of CompTIA Security+, CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) or an equivalent cyber security certificate | At least 3 years after qualification in IT or cyber security roles, including handling security solutions and finding security risks. Experience in a SOC (Security Operations Centre) in a large organisation or BFSI is preferred. |
| Information Security Analyst | 24 to 35 years | Any one of CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor), CISM, CISSP or an equivalent certificate in information security, IT risk or compliance | 2 to 4 years after qualification in information security, IT risk or cyber security roles, including security assessment, risk identification, compliance or governance work. |
| Network Security Analyst | 26 to 38 years | CCNP Security or an equivalent network or infrastructure security certificate | 5 years of IT experience, of which at least 3 years after qualification must be in network security. |
| Ethical Hacker and Penetration Tester | 25 to 35 years | Any one of CEH, OSCP, ECSA (EC-Council Certified Security Analyst) or an equivalent penetration testing certificate | 2 to 4 years after qualification in VAPT (Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing) or ethical hacking, with hands-on testing of applications, APIs and infrastructure. |
| Lead Auditor | 32 to 45 years | CISA is a must, plus at least one of CISSP, ISO 27001 Lead Auditor, or Lead Implementer and CISA | At least 8 years of IT experience, including 5 years of technology or IS audits in BFSI (banking, financial services and insurance), with experience of leading audit teams. |
| Cyber and Network Security Specialist | 30 to 45 years | CISA is a must, plus at least one of CCNA, CCNP, CEH or CISM | At least 6 years handling network devices (firewalls, routers, switches), cyber security consulting, ISMS management or SOC/VAPT work, including 3 years in technology or IS audit. |
| IT Infrastructure and Banking Specialist | 30 to 45 years | CISA is a must, plus at least one of CISM, ISO 27001 Lead Auditor or a PCI DSS implementation certificate (PCIP / ISA / QSA / CPISI) | At least 6 years handling CBS (core banking) and payment channels (SWIFT, ATM, Internet and Mobile Banking, NEFT, RTGS, UPI, IMPS), IT infrastructure and virtualization, including 3 years in technology or IS audit. |
| Cyber Security Analyst | 24 to 32 years | At least one of CEH, ISO 27001 Lead Auditor, a database certificate (Oracle or Microsoft SQL) or a cloud certificate (AWS, GCP, Microsoft Azure or Oracle) | At least 3 years in IT or cyber security. |
In short: your age is counted on 01.10.2026, and the notice gives no extra years to any category, so you must fit the band for your post exactly. The certificate is not optional either. Without the one listed for your post, you cannot apply.
Not sure whether you are within the age limit?
Each post has its own band, from 24 to 32 years for the Cyber Security Analyst up to 32 to 45 years for the Lead Auditor, counted on 01.10.2026. Enter your date of birth and the cut-off date to see instantly whether you fit.
Open the Age CalculatorSelection Process
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| 1. Online application | Apply only online at nabard.org from 09.10.2026 to 26.10.2026. Upload your latest CV and proof of your current Cost to Company (your present total pay package) along with your photo, signature, thumb impression and handwritten declaration. |
| 2. Shortlisting | NABARD shortlists candidates for the interview in the ratio of 1:3, which means three candidates for every vacancy. It goes by qualification and experience. The roll numbers of shortlisted candidates are put on nabard.org. |
| 3. Interview | Selection is by interview. The date and place are not announced yet. If you work in a government or quasi-government office, a PSU, a nationalised bank or a financial institution, bring a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your employer. This is a letter saying your employer has no objection to your application. Without it, your candidature may not be considered. |
| 4. Medical examination | Selected candidates go through a pre-recruitment medical examination. Only those declared medically fit by the Bank’s Medical Officer are appointed. |
| 5. Final selection | The Selection Committee decides the final appointments. NABARD can increase, reduce or cancel the posts without giving a reason. |
In short: there is no written test. Your qualification and experience decide whether you get an interview, and the interview decides who is selected.
Salary and Benefits
| Post | Pay per Year (all-inclusive) |
|---|---|
| SOC Analyst | Rs 12 to 18 lakh |
| Information Security Analyst | Rs 12 to 18 lakh |
| Network Security Analyst | Rs 18 to 25 lakh |
| Ethical Hacker and Penetration Tester | Rs 15 to 24 lakh |
| Lead Auditor | Rs 35 to 40 lakh |
| Cyber and Network Security Specialist | Rs 30 to 35 lakh |
| IT Infrastructure and Banking Specialist | Rs 30 to 35 lakh |
| Cyber Security Analyst | Rs 18 to 20 lakh |
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Annual Increment | Up to 10% a year, if your work is satisfactory and the Bank agrees |
| Tax | Income tax is deducted at source. The pay shown includes any statutory payments NABARD has to make for you. |
| Pension, PF and Gratuity | Not given. Contract specialists get no superannuation benefits. |
| Travel | Travelling and Halting Allowance for official tours, the same as for Bank officers of equal grade |
| Leave | Up to 30 days in a calendar year, on a proportionate basis. Leave not used cannot be carried forward. |
| Housing | A quarter if one is available, on request, at a licence fee of 0.5% of your pay. If no quarter is given, you get a fixed House Rent Allowance of 10% of your pay. |
| Medical Facility | For yourself only, at the Bank’s dispensary where there is one |
| Office Facilities | Office space, internet and other support. A lounge facility as for Bank officers (not for remote working). |
| Contract Period | 2 years from the date of joining, which can be extended by 3 more years. It is reviewed one year at a time and never goes beyond 5 years. |
| Notice | Either side can end the contract with one month’s notice. NABARD can also end it at any time without notice or reason. If you do not serve the notice, you pay an amount equal to your pay for that period. |
In plain terms: the pay is one all-inclusive yearly figure, and there is no PF, pension or gratuity on top. If NABARD does not give you a quarter, you get a housing allowance of 10% of your pay.
How to Apply
- Go to www.nabard.org, open Career Notices and click “APPLY HERE” under this advertisement.
- Choose “Click here for New Registration” and enter your name, contact details and email ID. You get a Provisional Registration Number and password by email and SMS, so note them down.
- Fill in the form. If you cannot finish in one go, use “SAVE AND NEXT”. Upload your photo, signature, left thumb impression, handwritten declaration, CV and proof of current Cost to Company.
- Open the Preview, check every detail, then click “COMPLETE REGISTRATION”. You cannot change anything after this.
- Pay the fee online by debit card, credit card, net banking, IMPS, cash card or mobile wallet. Take a printout of the e-receipt and the application form.
Note: NABARD accepts only online applications. No other way of applying is accepted.
Photograph or signature rejected by the upload form?
NABARD wants the photo at 200 x 230 pixels (20 to 50 KB), the signature at 140 x 60 pixels (10 to 20 KB), the left thumb impression at 240 x 240 pixels (20 to 50 KB) and the handwritten declaration at 800 x 400 pixels (50 to 100 KB). Resize your images to those exact sizes before you start the form.
Open the Photo and Signature ResizerDocuments Required
| Document | Format / Notes |
|---|---|
| Photograph | Recent colour passport-style photo, 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm, on a light or white background. JPG or JPEG, 20 to 50 KB, 200 x 230 pixels preferred. No caps, hats or dark glasses. Resize your photo and signature → |
| Live Photograph | You take this during the application, using your webcam or by scanning a QR code with your mobile phone. |
| Signature | Signed in black ink on white paper. JPG or JPEG, 10 to 20 KB, 140 x 60 pixels preferred. |
| Left Thumb Impression | On white paper in black or blue ink. JPG or JPEG, 20 to 50 KB, 240 x 240 pixels at 200 DPI. If you have no left thumb, use your right thumb. |
| Handwritten Declaration | Your own handwriting, in English, in black ink on white paper. JPG or JPEG, 50 to 100 KB, 800 x 400 pixels at 200 DPI. Capital letters are not accepted. The text is: “I, (Name of the candidate), hereby declare that all the information submitted by me in the application form is correct, true and valid. I will present the supporting documents as and when required.” |
| Latest CV and Proof of Current Cost to Company | PDF files, maximum 500 KB |
| No Objection Certificate (NOC) | Only if you work in a government or quasi-government office, a PSU, a nationalised bank or a financial institution. Bring it to the interview. |
Important Links
| Link | URL |
|---|---|
| Download Official Notification (PDF) | Download Notification PDF |
| Apply Online / Official Website | www.nabard.org |
| Join Telegram Channel | Join Telegram Channel |
| Join WhatsApp Channel | Join WhatsApp Channel |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Write the handwritten declaration yourself, in English and in normal letters. Capital letters, someone else’s handwriting or another language make your application invalid.
- Check every detail before you click Complete Registration. You cannot change anything after that, and a name spelt differently from your certificates can get you disqualified.
- Do not press Back or Refresh while paying. Wait for the message from the server. If no e-receipt appears, the payment failed and you must pay again.
- Put the photo in the photo slot and the signature in the signature slot, and make sure both are clear. If they are mixed up, you will not be allowed to appear for the interview.
- Give true information only. NABARD checks eligibility at the interview or at joining, and it cancels your candidature at any stage if something is false.
- Keep your email ID and mobile number active until the whole recruitment ends, because NABARD sends its messages there.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date to apply for the NABARD Specialist posts?
You can apply online until 26.10.2026, and the form opened on 09.10.2026.
How many vacancies are there?
There are 16 posts in 8 roles. Fifteen are unreserved, and the one OBC post is in the Lead Auditor role.
Is there a written exam?
No. NABARD shortlists candidates on qualification and experience and then selects them by interview.
Do I need a certificate to apply?
Yes, every post lists at least one mandatory certificate. For example, the SOC Analyst needs CompTIA Security+ or CEH, and the Lead Auditor, Cyber and Network Security Specialist and IT Infrastructure and Banking Specialist posts need CISA.
What is the age limit?
It depends on the post, from 24 to 32 years for the Cyber Security Analyst up to 32 to 45 years for the Lead Auditor, counted as on 01.10.2026. The notice gives no age relaxation.
What is the application fee?
SC, ST and PwBD candidates pay Rs 150, and everyone else pays Rs 850 (Rs 700 fee plus Rs 150 intimation charges), both before GST.
What is the pay, and how long is the contract?
Pay is Rs 12 lakh to Rs 40 lakh a year depending on the post, and the contract runs for 2 years and can be extended up to 5 years in total.
Where will I work, and will I have to travel?
All posts are at NABARD Head Office in Mumbai, and the four posts in the audit team need travel across the country for audits.
Disclaimer: The information above has been compiled from the official notification for the convenience of job seekers. Candidates are advised to verify all details from the official website before applying.
