🧭 Introduction

The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) conducts the Grade A (Assistant Manager) recruitment to hire fresh candidates in the general and specialist streams (e.g., MSME, Finance, Legal, IT) for development banking roles focused on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and allied sectors. The 2026 cycle offers a key opportunity for aspirants seeking a high-profile banking job with a focus on MSME policy, credit, finance and regulatory framework.

🧭 Selection Process

The expected selection process for SIDBI Grade A in 2026 is comprised of:

Phase-I (Online Objective Examination)
Phase-II (Online – Objective + Descriptive Papers)
Psychometric Test (qualifying)
Interview
Final Merit List & Appointment

Candidates must clear each stage as per cut-offs and preserve eligibility for subsequent rounds.

📘 Exam Pattern

🔹 Phase I – Objective (Screening)

Section	No. of Questions	Marks	Duration
English Language	30	30	—
Reasoning Aptitude	25	25	—
Quantitative Aptitude	25	25	—
Computer Knowledge	20	20	—
General Awareness (banking/financial + economic/social issues)	20	20	—
MSMEs: Policy, Regulatory & Legal Framework; Finance & Management (with focus on MSME)	30	30	—
Stream Specific Test	50	50	—
Total	200	200	120 minutes

⚠ Negative marking: ¼ mark for each wrong answer. (as per official handout)

🔹 Phase II – Mains (Objective + Descriptive)

Paper	Type	Marks	Duration
Paper 1 – English Language (Descriptive)	Essay / Letter/Precis	100	~90 minutes
Paper 2 – MSME / Finance & Management / Stream-Specific Subjects (Objective + Descriptive)	100	~90 minutes

(The exact numbers / durations may vary with notification.)

🔹 Interview

Candidates shortlisted from Phase II are called for personal interview.
Marks allotted (commonly 100) but exact weightage subject to notification.

📝 Detailed Syllabus Section-wise

🔹 English Language

Reading Comprehension
Essay & Letter Writing (Descriptive)
Vocabulary & Grammar (Synonyms/Antonyms, Idioms & Phrases)
Sentence Improvement, Para Jumbles, Cloze Test

🔹 Reasoning Aptitude

Puzzles, Seating Arrangement
Input-Output, Coding-Decoding
Blood Relations, Direction & Distance
Syllogism, Inequalities, Ranking & Order

🔹 Quantitative Aptitude

Simplification & Approximation
Number Series & Quadratic Equations
Ratio & Proportion, Percentages, Averages
Time & Work, Time, Speed & Distance
Profit & Loss, Simple & Compound Interest
Permutation & Combination, Probability
Data Interpretation (Tables, Bar/Pie/Line Charts)

🔹 Computer Knowledge

Basics of Computers (Hardware/Software)
Operating System, MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Internet, Networking Concepts
Cyber Security Fundamentals & Shortcut Keys

🔹 General Awareness (Banking/Financial & Economic/Social Issues)

Indian Banking System, Financial Institutions, RBI/SEBI roles
Current Affairs – Banking, Finance, Economy, Government Schemes
Economic Survey, Budget, Global Economic Trends
Social Issues, Rural Development, Sustainable Development Goals

🔹 MSMEs: Policy, Regulatory & Legal Framework; Finance & Management (Focus on MSME)

Definition, Classification of MSMEs in India
Policy and Regulatory Framework for MSMEs
MSME Financing – Due Diligence, KYC, Financial Ratios, Working Capital, Term Loans
NPA & Recovery in MSMEs including IRAC norms
NBFC Financing, Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs)
Investment & Merchant Banking, Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs)
Financial Management & Concepts (Time Value of Money, NPV, IRR)
Management Principles: Planning, Organizing, Leadership, Motivation, HRD

🔹 Stream-Specific Test (General Stream / IT / Legal / Specialist)

Depending on stream chosen: e.g.,

For Legal: Constitutional Law, Contract Act, SARFAESI Act, IBC 2016 etc.
For IT: Data Structures, DBMS, Networks, Cyber Security, Cloud, AI/ML basics
For Specialist: Subject‐specific domain knowledge as notification specifies

⚖️ Final Selection Process & Marks Weightage

Phase I: Qualifying in nature (shortlisting)
Phase II + Interview: Marks count towards final merit
Usually the combined weightage of Phase II + Interview determines final selection (exact % depends on notification)
Candidates must satisfy document verification & medical fitness

✅ Practical Preparation Tips

Begin with strong fundamentals in Reasoning, Quant, Computer Concepts & English — these sections are common and high‐scoring.
MSME section and Stream Specific portion differentiate the exam — study policies, finance, management, regulatory aspects deeply.
Practice descriptive writing regularly — essays, letters, precis.
Stay updated with latest banking/finance/economic news and MSME schemes.
Solve mock tests weekly and analyze mistakes — especially in stream-specific and MSME sections.
Work on time management and accuracy, especially considering negative marking.
For interview: be well‐versed with SIDBI’s role, MSME ecosystem in India, your stream domain and current issues.
Maintain health, stay consistent, and revise thoroughly.

🔗 Useful Official Resource

📌 Official SIDBI Careers & Recruitment Page:
🔗 https://www.sidbi.in/
(Go to → Careers → “Recruitment of Officers in Grade ‘A’ and Grade ‘B’ – General & Specialist Stream” notification)

Small Industries Development Bank of ...

🏦 SIDBI Grade A (Assistant Manager) Recruitment 2026 – Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Selection Process & Preparation Guide