  Exclusive A(p,K^+){_\Lambda}B and A(\pi,K^+){_\Lambda}B^\prime reactions
leading to two body final states, have been investigated in a fully covariant
model based on an effective Lagrangian picture. The explicit kaon production
vertex is described via creation, propagation and decay into relevant channel
of N*(1650), N*(1710) and N*(1720) intermediate baryonic resonance states, in
the initial collision of the projectile with one of the target nucleons. The
bound state wave functions are obtained by solving the Dirac equation with
appropriate scalar and vector potentials. The calculated cross sections show
strong sensitivity to the final hypernuclear state excited in the reaction.
Cross sections of 1 - 2 nb/sr are obtained at peak positions of favored
transitions in case of the A(p,K^+){_\Lambda}B reaction on heavier targets.
