NEW DELHI: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh has hailed the UPSC's "PRATIBHA Setu" initiative for facilitating alternative job avenues for Civil Services aspirants.

PRATIBHA stands for "Professional Resource And Talent Integration" and Setu stands for "bridge".

The Minister, who is also Incharge DoPT (Department of Personnel & Training) with which UPSC is administratively affiliated, said that this is emerging as a meaningful gateway for Civil Services aspirants who are among the very few who narrowly miss out in the last stage because of not being able to make it in the final interview even after having successfully cleared the Civil Services Exam Final and also having appeared in the interview.

Describing it as a "forward-thinking approach" to talent utilisation, Dr Jitendra Singh's remarks came after a meeting with the newly appointed Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission, Dr. Ajay Kumar, who briefed him on the growing attraction the platform has gained among employers in both government as well as private sectors.

According to the Chairman, the initiative-originally developed from the Public Disclosure Scheme introduced in 2018-has been received positively across the board. Several private organisations have started approaching the Commission to access the pool of candidates who cleared the written exam and interview stages but were not finally selected.

Dr. Jitendra Singh noted that aspirants too are welcoming the move, as it offers them a viable alternative to channel their skill and knowledge into meaningful career paths outside the civil services framework.

PRATIBHA (Professional Resource And Talent Integration) Setu - Bridge for Hiring Aspirants, enables verified organisations to register and access data of non-recommended yet willing candidates from various UPSC examinations, including Civil Services, Indian Forest Service, Engineering Services, and Combined Medical Services, among others. The initiative has already onboarded 113 organisations, with more showing interest in the portal as a trusted source of well-assessed human resources.

What sets PRATIBHA Setu apart is that it transforms a passive disclosure model into an interactive recruitment bridge. While earlier the UPSC published candidate data on its website, the revamped platform allows recruiters to log in and reach out to shortlisted candidates directly. The programme excludes exams such as NDA, NA and select departmental competitions, but covers a wide spectrum of competitive examinations with rigorous assessment processes.

As UPSC heads towards its centenary in 2026, initiatives like PRATIBHA Setu underline the Commission's evolving role in public recruitment and human resource development. By extending the value of its examination process beyond the confines of the merit list, UPSC is helping connect untapped talent with institutions that value it-enhancing the overall ecosystem of governance and employment.

Dr. Jitendra Singh acknowledged that the success of such platforms not only benefits individual candidates but also addresses a broader need for efficient and transparent recruitment practices. With the continued interest from stakeholders, Pratibha Setu is poised to expand its impact in the coming years. PRATIBHA stands for "Professional Resource And Talent Integration" - Bridge for Hiring Aspirants.