UPSC Provides Non-Selected Candidates with Access to the Private Sector
Corporates are able to access a vast pool of highly qualified and skilled UPSC and civil service candidates thanks to the updated disclosure mechanism.
New Delhi | July 18, 2025
Arun K, 32, suffered a serious setback when he barely made the final cut in India’s most coveted test, the Civil Services. Arun became one of the millions of people who pass the difficult written examinations but fail at the interview stage after years of preparation, several attempts, and giving up his best years. Despite having a high level of education and a score in the 97th percentile, he accepted a position as an entry-level administrative assistant at a government school on the outskirts of Delhi when his dreams were crushed. Then a call arrived that altered everything. Knowing Arun’s academic record and UPSC achievement, a Delhi-based company offered him a mid-level job that matched his qualifications and paid significantly more than his current one. Through the Union Public Service Commission’s (UPSC) Pratibha Setu, a government program formerly known as the Public Disclosure Scheme (PDS), the corporation had gained access to his profile.
An Additional Chance for UPSC Candidates
The Civil Services, Engineering Services, and other important exams are among the roughly ten major exams that the UPSC administers each year. Almost 26,000 non-recommended applicants—those who pass the written exam but fail the final interview—remain untapped talent, despite the fact that over 6,000 people are chosen each year for various government positions.
Initially introduced in 2018 to assist these individuals in locating openings in PSUs and government agencies, the program’s scope was restricted. But now, the project is being expanded to the private sector with the establishment of the specialized Pratibha Setu webpage, which is a major step forward.
How Does Pratibha Setu Operate?
A carefully curated database of willing but unrecommended candidates from various UPSC exams is made available to registered employers through the portal. Employers have access to Percentile scores (rather than grades) Qualifications in education, Exam type, subject area of expertise, and contact details. The technology features parameters to search by subject, geography, and qualifications, making it easy for HR teams to locate appropriate individuals.
The platform lists candidates who have passed tests such as the Civil Services and Engineering Services exams.
NDA and CDS examinations; Indian Forest Service; Central Armed Police Forces; Combined Medical Services; Indian Economic and Statistical Services
What makes Pratibha Setu unique?
Its real-time tracking ensures transparency, accountability, and proper monitoring of the hiring process. Up until the appointment letter is issued, UPSC authorities keep an eye on a candidate’s progress after they have been shortlisted by a corporation. Offer letters are even directly uploadable by businesses on the web.
Companies are expected to keep the information completely confidential, and it is only disclosed for employment purposes. Clear instructions have been released by the Commission that forbid any misuse or secondary sharing of candidate data.
Government Encouragement of Greater Industry Involvement
According to reports, the UPSC Secretary has written to a number of ministries and departments asking them to alert their partner organizations and private sector vendors about Pratibha Setu. The goal is to utilize the abilities, expertise, and talents of thousands of applicants who narrowly missed selection after undergoing one of the most rigorous selection procedures in the nation.
Response is growing, but it’s too early for numbers.
Data on placements using the portal has not yet been formally provided by UPSC, but officials say preliminary findings are encouraging. Employers now view these applicants as disciplined, capable, and well-trained people, according to one official, who also stated that the private sector’s response is “clearly better than before.” The Formation of a Talent Bridge Pratibha Setu is more than simply a job board for candidates like Arun K; it’s a means of obtaining fulfilling work and a new beginning. By recognizing the potential of those who were not chosen, UPSC has opened a new avenue for the brightest minds in India to make contributions outside of the bureaucracy. As the program develops, it could change India’s perception of competitive exam takers, who are now seen as significant assets for both public and private businesses rather than as “failures.”
Also Read: Land-for-Jobs Case: No Relief for Lalu Prasad Yadav as Supreme Court Refuses to Stay Trial
No Comments Yet