UPSC onboards 113 organisations under ‘PRATIBHA Setu’

The programme aims to create alternative job opportunities for candidates who successfully cleared the rigorous written exams and interviews but narrowly missed making it to the final merit list in various UPSC-conducted examinations. 

PRATIBHA stands for "Professional Resource And Talent Integration", while Setu means ‘bridge’—aptly describing the initiative’s purpose of linking untapped talent with recruiters from both public and private sectors. 

“Several private organisations have started approaching the Commission to access the pool of candidates who cleared the written exam and interview stages but were not finally selected,” the UPSC said in a statement. 

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, and Minister of State for the PMO, Dr. Jitendra Singh, lauded the initiative as a “forward-thinking approach” to talent utilisation. He noted that it not only benefits aspirants but also meets the broader need for efficient, transparent, and merit-based recruitment across sectors. 

According to Dr. Ajay Kumar, Chairman of the UPSC, the initiative has seen growing interest from employers across domains. “The platform has evolved from the Public Disclosure Scheme introduced in 2018 and is being received positively. The number of organisations registering is steadily increasing, which indicates trust in the UPSC assessment process,” he said.

What sets PRATIBHA Setu apart is its transition from a passive data disclosure model to an interactive recruitment bridge. Earlier, the Commission published candidate data on its website. Now, verified organisations can register on the portal and directly connect with non-recommended but willing candidates. 

The move has been well-received by aspirants, many of whom possess deep subject knowledge, analytical skills, and strong ethical grounding—attributes honed through years of UPSC preparation. 

“This platform gives these candidates a second chance to contribute meaningfully in roles aligned with their capabilities,” Dr. Singh said. As the UPSC approaches its centenary in 2026, initiatives like PRATIBHA Setu highlight the Commission’s evolving role in public recruitment and nation-building. 

By extending the value of its exhaustive selection process beyond the final list, it is fostering a more inclusive and efficient talent ecosystem. Dr. Singh added that with continued interest from stakeholders, PRATIBHA Setu is poised to scale further—emerging as a model for strategic human capital deployment in the years to come.