NABARD Specialist Recruitment 2026: 16 Cyber Security Posts, Eligibility, Salary and How to Apply
Good news for cyber security and IT audit professionals. The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has released Advertisement No. 04 to hire 16 Specialists on contract for its Head Office in Mumbai. The posts sit in two departments: the Chief Information Security Office (CISO) and the Department of Supervision (DoS) – CSITE. Pay is a consolidated package from ₹12-18 lakh to ₹35-40 lakh per year, depending on the post. If you want a banking sector job that rewards certifications like CISA, CEH or CISSP, this is a strong chance.
Online applications run from 9 October 2026 to 26 October 2026. You need an engineering degree, MCA or a relevant post-graduate degree, plus a mandatory certification and real work experience. Freshers will not qualify here. This article covers every post, its vacancy split, age limit, salary, the interview-based selection and the conditions that can cancel your candidature. Read it fully before you pay the fee. We at GovtJobsAlert.in have put every detail in one place for you.
Key Highlights of NABARD Specialist Recruitment 2026
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) |
| Advertisement | No. 04 – Specialists on Contract 2026-27 (CISO & DoS-CSITE) |
| Total Vacancies | 16 |
| Number of Posts | 8 |
| Remuneration | ₹12-18 lakh to ₹35-40 lakh per annum (consolidated) |
| Job Location | NABARD Head Office, Mumbai |
| Eligibility Date | 1 October 2026 |
| Application Window | 9 October 2026 to 26 October 2026 |
| Selection | Shortlisting and Interview |
NABARD is an all-India apex organisation wholly owned by the Government of India. Only Indian citizens can apply, and only online.
How Many Vacancies are there in NABARD Specialist Recruitment 2026?
The reservation split is not the same for every post, so check the row for your own post.
| Post | Category-wise Vacancies | Total |
|---|---|---|
| SOC (Security Operations Centre) Analyst – CISO | UR 3 / SC 0 / ST 0 / OBC 0 / EWS 0 | 3 |
| Information Security Analyst – CISO | UR 3 / SC 0 / ST 0 / OBC 0 / EWS 0 | 3 |
| Network Security Analyst – CISO | UR 1 / SC 0 / ST 0 / OBC 0 / EWS 0 | 1 |
| Ethical Hacker & Penetration Tester – CISO | UR 1 / SC 0 / ST 0 / OBC 0 / EWS 0 | 1 |
| Lead Auditor – DoS-CSITE | UR 1 / SC 0 / ST 0 / OBC 1 / EWS 0 | 2 |
| Cyber & Network Security Specialist – DoS-CSITE | UR 2 / SC 0 / ST 0 / OBC 0 / EWS 0 | 2 |
| IT Infrastructure & Banking Specialist – DoS-CSITE | UR 2 / SC 0 / ST 0 / OBC 0 / EWS 0 | 2 |
| Cyber Security Analyst – DoS-CSITE | UR 2 / SC 0 / ST 0 / OBC 0 / EWS 0 | 2 |
| Total | UR 15 / SC 0 / ST 0 / OBC 1 / EWS 0 | 16 |
Only one seat in the whole advertisement is reserved: one OBC seat for Lead Auditor. Every other seat is Unreserved. The notification gives no other reservation detail, so check the row for your own post before you apply.
What is the Eligibility for NABARD Specialist Recruitment 2026?
All eligibility (qualification and experience) is counted as on 1 October 2026.
Educational Qualification
CISO posts (first four posts): B.E./B.Tech in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, IT, Electronics & 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 ECE. You need a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent grade.
DoS-CSITE posts (last four posts): B.E./B.Tech in CSE, ECE or IT; or a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a Master’s degree in Computer Science / IT / ECE. If you are an MCA holder, this is also a good time to explore more computer and IT government jobs.
Mandatory Certification
| Post | Mandatory Certification (any one, unless stated) |
|---|---|
| SOC Analyst | CompTIA Security+, CEH or an equivalent cyber security certification |
| Information Security Analyst | CISA, CISM, CISSP or an equivalent certification in Information Security, IT Risk or Compliance |
| Network Security Analyst | CCNP Security or an equivalent certification in network or infrastructure security |
| Ethical Hacker & Penetration Tester | CEH, OSCP, ECSA or an equivalent certification in penetration testing or offensive security |
| Lead Auditor | CISA (mandatory) plus one of: CISSP, ISO 27001 Lead Auditor, Lead Implementer |
| Cyber & Network Security Specialist | CISA (mandatory) plus one of: CCNA, CCNP, CEH, CISM |
| IT Infrastructure & Banking Specialist | CISA (mandatory) plus one of: CISM, ISO 27001 Lead Auditor, PCI DSS implementation certification (PCIP, ISA, QSA or CPISI) |
| Cyber Security Analyst | At least one of: CEH, ISO 27001 Lead Auditor, a database certification (Oracle or MS SQL) or a cloud certification (AWS, GCP, Microsoft Azure or Oracle) |
Work Experience
| Post | Minimum Mandatory Experience |
|---|---|
| SOC Analyst | 3 years post-qualification in IT / Cyber Security roles |
| Information Security Analyst | 2-4 years post-qualification in Information Security / IT Risk / Cyber Security |
| Network Security Analyst | 5 years IT experience, with at least 3 years post-qualification in network security |
| Ethical Hacker & Penetration Tester | 2-4 years post-qualification in VAPT / Ethical Hacking |
| Lead Auditor | 8 years overall IT, incl. 5 years of technology/IS audits in BFSI, with experience leading audit teams |
| Cyber & Network Security Specialist | 6 years handling network devices, cyber security consulting, ISMS, SOC/VAPT, incl. 3 years in technology/IS audit |
| IT Infrastructure & Banking Specialist | 6 years handling CBS, payment channels (SWIFT, ATM, UPI, NEFT/RTGS/IMPS), IT infrastructure and virtualization, incl. 3 years in technology/IS audit |
| Cyber Security Analyst | 3 years in IT or cyber security |
The notification also lists desirable certifications and experience for most posts. Those are not compulsory, but they can help you get shortlisted.
Age Limit
| Post | Age Limit (as on 1 October 2026) |
|---|---|
| SOC Analyst | 24 to 35 years |
| Information Security Analyst | 24 to 35 years |
| Network Security Analyst | 26 to 38 years |
| Ethical Hacker & Penetration Tester | 25 to 35 years |
| Lead Auditor | 32 to 45 years |
| Cyber & Network Security Specialist | 30 to 45 years |
| IT Infrastructure & Banking Specialist | 30 to 45 years |
| Cyber Security Analyst | 24 to 32 years |
🎂 Not sure if you meet the age criteria? Use our free Age Calculator for Government Exams to find your exact age on the cut-off date and check whether you are within the age limit. →
The notification does not mention any age relaxation for any category, so treat these limits as written. Notice that there is a minimum age too: a 23-year-old cannot apply for the SOC Analyst post even with the right certificate.
What is the Salary for NABARD Specialist Posts 2026?
| Post | Consolidated Remuneration (per annum) |
|---|---|
| SOC Analyst | ₹12-18 lakh |
| Information Security Analyst | ₹12-18 lakh |
| Network Security Analyst | ₹18-25 lakh |
| Ethical Hacker & Penetration Tester | ₹15-24 lakh |
| Lead Auditor | ₹35-40 lakh |
| Cyber & Network Security Specialist | ₹30-35 lakh |
| IT Infrastructure & Banking Specialist | ₹30-35 lakh |
| Cyber Security Analyst | ₹18-20 lakh |
This is an all-inclusive amount, and tax is deducted at source. An annual increment of up to 10% can be given on satisfactory performance, at the Bank’s discretion.
| Benefit | Detail |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | Quarters on request, subject to availability, at a licence fee of 0.5% of remuneration; otherwise fixed HRA of 10% of remuneration |
| Leave | Up to 30 days per calendar year, proportionate; unused leave cannot be carried forward |
| Medical | For self only, at the Bank’s dispensary where available |
| Travel / Halting | As admissible to Bank officers of equivalent grade on official tours |
| Superannuation | Not entitled to Provident Fund, Pension or Gratuity |
The contract is for 2 years, extendable by up to 3 more years after a yearly review, and never beyond 5 years. Either side can end it with one month’s notice, and NABARD may also end it at any time without notice or reason. If you leave without serving the notice period, you must pay a sum equal to the pay for that period. You cannot stay absent for more than 10 days at a time except on emergency medical grounds, and absence of more than one month is treated as notice period unless leave is duly approved.
What is the Selection Process for NABARD Specialist 2026?
| Stage | Detail |
|---|---|
| Shortlisting | Candidates shortlisted in the ratio of 1:3 on the basis of qualification, experience, etc. |
| Interview | Selection is by way of interview |
| Medical Examination | Pre-recruitment medical test; only candidates declared fit by the Bank’s Medical Officer are appointed |
The roll numbers of shortlisted and selected candidates will be published on the NABARD website. The Bank reserves the right to increase or decrease posts, or cancel the recruitment in part or full, and its shortlisting decision is final.
How to Apply Online for NABARD Specialist Recruitment 2026?
Applications are accepted only online between 9 and 26 October 2026. No other mode is accepted.
- Visit the official NABARD website (link in Essential Links below), go to Career Notices and click “APPLY HERE” below this advertisement.
- Choose “Click here for New Registration”, enter your name, contact details and email ID, and note the Provisional Registration Number and Password.
- Fill the form using “SAVE AND NEXT”, upload your photograph (20-50 KB), live photograph, signature (10-20 KB), left thumb impression (20-50 KB), handwritten declaration (50-100 KB), and your latest CV plus proof of current Cost to Company (PDF, max 500 KB).
- Preview, then click “COMPLETE REGISTRATION” and pay the fee online through the Payment tab.
- Wait for the e-Receipt, then print the e-Receipt and the application form.
Keep a personal email ID and mobile number active till the process ends, because the Bank sends its communication there. Bring an NOC to the interview if employed in government, quasi-government, a PSU, nationalised bank or financial institution.
What are the Important Dates for NABARD Specialist Recruitment 2026?
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 9 October 2026 |
| Online Registration and Fee Payment Begins | 9 October 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply and Pay Fee | 26 October 2026 |
| Eligibility Cut-off Date | 1 October 2026 |
| Interview Date | To be announced |
NABARD reserves the right to change these dates, and any corrigendum will be hosted only on its website.
What is the Application Fee for NABARD Specialist 2026?
| Category | Fee (exclusive of GST) |
|---|---|
| SC / ST / PwBD | ₹150 (Application Fee NIL + Intimation Charges ₹150) |
| All Others | ₹850 (Application Fee ₹700 + Intimation Charges ₹150) |
The fee is non-refundable. Pay online by Debit Card (RuPay, Visa, MasterCard or Maestro), Credit Card, Internet Banking, IMPS, Cash Card or Mobile Wallet. Bank transaction charges are borne by you.
Which Mistakes Can Cancel Your NABARD Specialist 2026 Application?
| Condition | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| False information or not eligible | If any detail is found false or you do not meet the eligibility at any stage, your candidature will be cancelled and you will not be allowed to appear for the interview or join |
| No Objection Certificate | Government, quasi-government, PSU, nationalised bank and financial institution employees must give an NOC at the interview, failing which candidature may not be considered and travel expenses will not be paid |
| Handwritten declaration | Must be in your own handwriting and in English; if written by anyone else or in another language, the application is invalid. Declarations in CAPITAL LETTERS are not accepted |
| Uploads | The application will not be registered without photograph, signature, left thumb impression and declaration; a photo or signature in the wrong place means you will not be allowed to appear for the interview |
| Unclear images | A smudged or unclear photo, signature, thumb impression or declaration may lead to rejection |
| No edits after submission | No change is possible after you click COMPLETE REGISTRATION |
| Name mismatch | Your name must match your certificates; any change found may disqualify you |
| Unfair means | The notification lists unfair means, impersonation and improper support as misconduct |
| Contract status | No right or claim to regular employment or placement in NABARD |
| Bank’s decision | The Bank’s decision on shortlisting and selection is final; no correspondence will be entertained from ineligible or non-selected candidates |
Visually impaired candidates who cannot write may upload a typed declaration with their left thumb impression below it. Any legal dispute can be filed only in courts at Mumbai.
NABARD Specialist Recruitment 2026 Essential Links
- Download NABARD Specialist Recruitment 2026 Notification PDF
- Visit NABARD Specialist Official Website
- Join WhatsApp Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Telegram Channel for Government Jobs
If you hold the right degree, the mandatory certificate and the experience your post asks for, this NABARD opening is well worth your time. Check your age band and certification first, get your CV and CTC proof ready, and apply before 26 October 2026 instead of waiting for the last day. Keep visiting GovtJobsAlert.in for more engineering government jobs and banking updates.