In a move to ensure that the talent of UPSC aspirants does not go unrecognised, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spotlighted Pratibha Setu, a digital platform designed for candidates who cleared all stages of competitive examinations but fell short of making it to the final merit list.
The initiative, launched on June 19, 2025, has been created to help aspirants leverage their hard-earned qualifications by connecting them with opportunities across ministries, public sector undertakings (PSUs), autonomous institutions, and private companies.
Explaining the rationale during the 125th episode of Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi said that while stories of UPSC toppers inspire the nation, there is another side to the story:
“There are thousands of aspirants who clear the Prelims, Mains, and even the Interview stage of UPSC, but don’t find their names in the final merit list. Their effort and talent must not go to waste. Pratibha Setu is a bridge for such candidates.”
The platform currently hosts data of over 10,000 aspirants who have cleared various UPSC examinations, including:
Civil Services
Engineering Services
Forest Services
Combined Medical Services
CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces)
Geo-Scientist Exam
CDS (Combined Defence Services)
Indian Economic Service/Indian Statistical Service (IES/ISS)
How Pratibha Setu Works
Employers, both public and private, can register on the portal, typically through Corporate Identification Number (CIN) verification.
Once verified, they receive login credentials.
Employers can then access candidate profiles, including qualifications, exam details, and contact information.
Only aspirants who opt in are visible to recruiters, ensuring privacy and consent-based participation.
The platform is designed to function as a career bridge, helping candidates who narrowly missed entry into elite services find positions of responsibility elsewhere.
The scheme also addresses a long-standing concern: that years of preparation often leave aspirants with limited backup options. By creating a national talent pool accessible to recruiters, the government hopes to convert “near-success” into concrete career pathways.
The Union government expects both ministries and private firms to actively use the database, thus broadening employment avenues. If successful, Pratibha Setu could become a national recruitment model, replicable in other competitive exams beyond UPSC.
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