New Delhi: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh has commended the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)’s pioneering initiative, PRATIBHA Setu, as a transformative step in offering alternative career avenues to highly qualified Civil Services aspirants who narrowly miss out in the final selection stage. This innovative platform is fast emerging as a bridge between talent and opportunity, embodying its full form: Professional Resource And Talent Integration – Setu (Bridge).
The Minister, who holds multiple portfolios including Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and Personnel, expressed his appreciation after a detailed briefing by UPSC Chairman Dr. Ajay Kumar. The Chairman shared that the initiative has gained significant traction, with 113 reputed private and public organizations already onboarded to access a pool of non-recommended yet highly capable candidates.
A Pathway for the Almost-There Aspirants
PRATIBHA Setu is designed especially for those candidates who clear the rigorous written examination and even appear for the Civil Services interview, but narrowly miss securing a final position. Dr. Jitendra Singh called it a “forward-thinking approach to talent utilization” and noted that such candidates possess deep analytical and administrative capabilities that deserve recognition and employment outside the traditional bureaucratic pathway.
The platform allows verified recruiters to register and connect directly with these individuals, who voluntarily opt-in to share their credentials. This marks a departure from the previous passive disclosure model introduced in 2018, where candidate data was published on the UPSC website but lacked direct engagement from employers.
Broad Applicability Beyond Civil Services
The scope of PRATIBHA Setu goes beyond the Civil Services Examination. It includes aspirants from other prestigious exams conducted by the Commission, such as the Indian Forest Service (IFS), Engineering Services Examination (ESE), and the Combined Medical Services (CMS) Examination. However, it excludes certain specialized exams like NDA, NA, and departmental competitions.
The USP of this initiative lies in its highly vetted talent pool—candidates who have undergone some of the most stringent examination procedures in the country. Several employers, recognizing this quality, have started proactively approaching the Commission to tap into this valuable resource.
Strengthening India’s Recruitment Ecosystem
As the UPSC approaches its centenary in 2026, initiatives like PRATIBHA Setu underscore its evolving role in national human resource development. By extending the utility of its assessments beyond mere selection, the Commission is building an ecosystem where no talent goes unnoticed.
Dr. Singh emphasized that this effort not only uplifts individual candidates who may otherwise feel disheartened but also strengthens institutional recruitment practices by infusing transparency, efficiency, and quality assurance.
With increasing stakeholder engagement and growing enthusiasm among aspirants and employers alike, PRATIBHA Setu is poised to redefine recruitment dynamics in India and ensure that merit never goes unrecognized, even outside the final list of selections.
Source: PIB
For more real-time updates, visit Channel 6 Network
