Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the Union Public Service Commission’s (UPSC) newly renamed initiative, Pratibha Setu, during the 125th episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat. He called it a “beacon of hope” for UPSC aspirants who clear all stages of the exam but fall short of making the final merit list.
PM Modi described the portal as a “bridge of talent,” saying it ensures opportunity and dignity for deserving candidates. The initiative is designed to connect these aspirants with career opportunities in both the government and private sector, making sure their hard work does not go unnoticed.
In his address, the Prime Minister highlighted how tough the Civil Services Examination is and the challenges aspirants face. “UPSC conducts one of the toughest exams in the country. Thousands of capable students reach the final stage but are unable to make it to the final list due to limited vacancies. These candidates have to prepare again for other exams, which consumes both time and money. Now, a digital platform called Pratibha Setu has been created for such sincere students,” he said.
The portal will store the details of those candidates who successfully cleared all stages of exams conducted by UPSC, including interviews, but missed out on the final merit list. Through this system, private companies and other organisations can directly access the information of these candidates and offer them employment.
PM Modi stressed that this move not only benefits aspirants but also helps employers find highly qualified talent. He added that such initiatives show how technology can be used to create new opportunities and reduce waste of effort.
Pratibha Setu, earlier known as the Public Disclosure Scheme, has been expanded and given a new name to reflect its broader purpose. The rebranding aims to create a bridge between aspirants who deserve recognition and organisations looking for skilled professionals.
Pratibha Setu has been developed as a secure digital platform. Employers from both government departments and private companies can register on the portal. Once their registration is verified, they receive login details that allow them to access the database of candidates.
The database includes the “soft biodata” of more than 10,000 candidates who have cleared prestigious UPSC examinations but were not recommended in the final merit list. This biodata provides details such as educational qualifications, exam performance, and contact information. Employers can use this information to find and recruit candidates directly, saving time in their hiring processes.
The UPSC has also ensured that the platform has strict data protection and a secure verification system. Only verified employers are allowed to access the candidate information, making the process reliable and transparent. This prevents misuse of data and builds trust among aspirants.
Currently, Pratibha Setu covers candidates from multiple UPSC examinations, including:
Civil Services Examination (CSE)
Indian Forest Service (IFoS)
Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF)
Engineering Services (IES)
Combined Geo-Scientist Examination
Combined Defence Services (CDS)
Indian Economic Service / Indian Statistical Service (IES/ISS)
Combined Medical Services
By covering such a wide range of examinations, the portal opens doors for aspirants with diverse skills and educational backgrounds. For example, an engineering graduate who clears the Engineering Services exam but misses the final list can still find opportunities in the private sector through the platform.
UPSC has explained that these non-recommended candidates are often “almost as meritorious” as those who make the final list. Limited vacancies are usually the only reason they are left out. The portal, therefore, ensures that their preparation and dedication do not go to waste.
The idea behind Pratibha Setu is to create an institutional system where every hardworking aspirant gets a fair chance at employment. Instead of being forced to restart their journey from scratch, they now have a platform that showcases their talent to the world.
This initiative is not new—it was first introduced in 2018 as the Public Disclosure Scheme. However, with its rebranding as Pratibha Setu, the UPSC and the government have given it greater visibility and a stronger purpose. The name itself reflects its mission of serving as a “bridge of talent,” linking deserving candidates with opportunities that match their capabilities.
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PM Modi’s endorsement of the initiative has further boosted its importance. By calling it a “game-changer” and a “gateway to opportunities,” he highlighted how such platforms can transform the lives of aspirants who have given years of effort in preparing for the UPSC examinations.
For the aspirants, it is not just about finding a job—it is also about gaining dignity and recognition for their hard work. For employers, it provides access to some of the most disciplined and talented individuals in the country.
As the portal grows, it is expected that more organisations will register and make use of this pool of talent. This will not only benefit the aspirants but also strengthen India’s workforce by putting skilled individuals in roles where they can contribute effectively.
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