The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has launched a new employment initiative, Pratibha-Setu, designed to connect candidates who reached the interview stage of recruitment but did not make the final selection, with potential employers in the public and private sectors.
The development was confirmed in Parliament on Thursday when Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, shared that of 52,910 candidates who appeared for interviews for government posts in recent years, 33,950 were not selected.
For many aspirants, clearing the preliminary and main examinations for government jobs is the result of years of preparation and significant personal investment. However, those who fall short in the final interview round often find themselves back at square one despite possessing valuable skills and qualifications.
To address this challenge, the government first launched the Public Disclosure Scheme in June 2016. Under this initiative, recruitment agencies can publish the details of such candidates on an online portal, allowing private companies, public sector undertakings (PSUs), and other organisations to access their profiles for potential hiring.
How ‘Pratibha-Setu’ works
Building on that framework, UPSC’s new Pratibha-Setu portal offers a dedicated platform where private firms, PSUs, and other registered employers can view the profiles of candidates who reached the UPSC interview stage but were not recommended for final appointment. The system requires employers to register before gaining access, ensuring that candidate data is shared securely and only with genuine recruiters.
According to the Ministry of Personnel, the objective is to ensure that the effort and capability demonstrated by these candidates are recognised and utilised elsewhere. This could give thousands of skilled individuals another pathway to employment, particularly in roles that require analytical ability, public policy knowledge, and administrative aptitude.
Minister Jitendra Singh said the scheme aims to “provide wider job prospects to those who could not find a place in the final merit list despite their competence.” By linking them directly with interested employers, the government hopes to reduce the waste of talent and time that currently follows unsuccessful final-stage recruitment attempts.
The minister’s written statement noted that these measures could be especially beneficial for sectors looking for candidates with proven aptitude in reasoning, problem-solving, and governance — qualities that are tested rigorously in the UPSC recruitment process.
Why it matters
While government jobs remain highly sought-after, competition is fierce. UPSC exams, considered among the toughest in India, have a multi-stage selection process involving a preliminary examination, a mains examination, and an interview. Even reaching the interview stage is regarded as a significant achievement, as it signals a high level of subject mastery, discipline, and aptitude.
For candidates who narrowly miss final selection, Pratibha-Setu and the earlier Public Disclosure Scheme could act as vital bridges to alternative careers. By giving employers access to a vetted talent pool, the initiative may also help industries in need of capable administrators, analysts, and policy professionals.
As the government expands its focus on employment generation and skill utilisation, such measures could redefine how competitive exam success is measured — not just by selection into a government post, but also by the broader career opportunities it can unlock.