On 31st August, during the 125th episode of his monthly radio address Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about a unique initiative called ‘Pratibha Setu’, a digital platform that offers a second chance to Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) aspirants who fall just short of the final selection.

While addressing the nation, PM Modi reminded citizens that stories of Civil Services toppers often inspire millions. However, he pointed out an important reality about the exam process. “All of us have heard many inspiring stories from the toppers of the Civil Services… but friends, there is another truth about the UPSC exam. There are thousands of such candidates who are very capable; their hard work is no less than anyone else’s, but they are unable to reach the final list by a small margin.”

By saying this, the Prime Minister acknowledged the dedication of thousands who devote years of their life to preparing for these prestigious exams but miss success by only a few marks. Such candidates often face uncertainty, with their talent and knowledge left unutilised despite their capability.

Explaining the reason behind this new step, PM Modi further added, “That is why, now a digital platform has been created for such sincere students and its name is ‘Pratibha Setu’. Through this portal, private companies can obtain information on these promising students and employ them. Friends, the results of this effort have also started coming in. Hundreds of candidates have got jobs immediately with the help of this portal and those youth who had got stuck by a small margin are now moving ahead with new confidence.”

With this statement, he underlined how the initiative not only recognises the potential of such candidates but also gives them practical career opportunities. According to government updates, several aspirants have already secured jobs through this bridge, turning their disappointment into fresh hope and professional growth.

What is Pratibha Setu?

UPSC’s ‘Pratibha Setu’, which expands to Professional Resource and Talent Integration – Bridge for Hiring Aspirants, is essentially a large databank of skilled candidates. This databank contains information of more than 10,000 aspirants who successfully cleared every stage of the UPSC recruitment process—Prelims, Mains, and the Interview—but were not recommended in the final merit list.

The platform was officially launched in July 2025, but its roots go back to 2018, when it was first known as the Public Disclosure Scheme (PDS). Under the older system, information was passively shared, but now the upgraded portal provides an interactive space. Recruiters and organisations are given login IDs to voluntarily search, shortlist, and recruit candidates from this non-recommended pool.

This initiative opens doors not only to private organisations but also to government ministries, Public Sector Units (PSUs), autonomous institutions, and verified employers. Through the portal, they can access candidate profiles, which include academic records, skills, and contact details. The system also provides dashboards for shortlisting and documentation, making the recruitment process smooth and transparent.

The list of examinations covered under this scheme is extensive. It includes the Civil Services Exam, Indian Forest Service, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), Engineering Services, Combined Defence Services (CDS), Combined Medical Services (CMS), and several others. With such diversity, Pratibha Setu ensures that candidates from multiple backgrounds and disciplines are considered.

A forward-thinking approach

When the new version of the portal was launched in July 2025, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh welcomed the scheme and described it as a “forward-thinking approach” in talent utilisation. He stressed that the initiative is proving to be a meaningful gateway for candidates who clear both the written examination and the personality test but lose out in the final merit stage.

This recognition of effort is not limited to government action. Several academic institutions have also shown faith in the talent of UPSC aspirants. For example, IIM Udaipur exempts aspirants who clear the Civil Services (Main) examination from submitting entrance scores like CAT, GMAT, or GRE when applying for its PhD programme in Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management. This policy reflects the institution’s confidence in the intellectual ability of these candidates and its alignment with socially relevant, research-driven goals.

By highlighting such efforts, Prime Minister Modi encouraged private sector companies to also look towards this untapped talent pool. The aim is clear—to ensure that years of preparation and knowledge gained by aspirants do not go to waste, and instead contribute to the growth of society.

Growing interest from employers

According to UPSC officials, employer interest is steadily rising. More than a hundred organisations have already registered on Pratibha Setu, while many others are approaching the Commission for access to the databank.

What makes this initiative unique is the shift from a passive disclosure model to an active recruitment bridge. Under the earlier Public Disclosure Scheme, data was simply published online. Recruiters had no option to directly interact with candidates. However, with the new system, employers can now log in securely, search for profiles, shortlist applicants, and even directly connect with them for opportunities.

This practical framework ensures that aspirants who were once overlooked now get the recognition they deserve. For employers, it offers a valuable chance to recruit well-prepared individuals who have already proven their intellectual ability and perseverance through one of the toughest exams in the country.