Pratibha Setu is a new initiative by UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) that creates a bridge between UPSC aspirants who cleared all stages of exams but didn’t make the final cut, and organizations looking for qualified talent.

PRATIBHA stands for Professional Resource And Talent Integration – Bridge for Hiring Aspirants. 

Earlier, this scheme was known as the Public Disclosure Scheme (PDS), started in 2018, but now it has been expanded and renamed. 

Why Pratibha Setu Exists

Every year, thousands of students prepare for UPSC exams and clear all stages (preliminary, mains, and interviews), yet only a limited number make it to the final merit list.

Many talented candidates end up with no job offers—even though they proved their merit. Pratibha Setu aims to solve that.

With this portal, those “almost selected” candidates can share their profiles with registered employers (government bodies, PSUs, private companies) who might want to hire them. 

The portal helps:

• Prevent wasted talent
• Give aspirants more career options
• Help organizations find already-vetted candidates

Exams Covered (What the Portal Includes)

Candidates who were not recommended in the final list but cleared all stages in these exams can opt into Pratibha Setu:

• Civil Services (CSE)
• Indian Forest Service (IFS)
• Engineering Services (ESE / IES)
• Combined Geo-Scientist Exam
• Central Armed Police Forces (ACs) Exam
• Combined Defence Services (CDS)
• Indian Economic Service / Indian Statistical Service (IES / ISS)
• Combined Medical Services (CMS)
  

Exclusions: NDA/NA exams, and certain limited departmental competitive exams (LDCEs) are not included. 

How It Works: For Candidates & Employers

For Candidates:

1. If you cleared all stages of an eligible UPSC exam but didn’t make the final merit list, you opt in voluntarily.
2. You submit your soft biodata (academic details, exam performance, contact info) for display.
3. Only when you give consent is your profile visible to registered employers.

For Employers:

1. Government ministries, PSUs, autonomous bodies, and private companies can register on Pratibha Setu. Private firms need to provide a valid CIN (Corporate Identity Number) verified via MCA.
2. Once approved, they receive login credentials and access candidate profiles via a dashboard.
3. Employers can filter candidates by exam type, education, or other criteria, shortlist people, and contact them for interviews or hiring.

Launch & Announcement

• The portal was officially launched and announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Mann Ki Baat radio show.
• It builds upon and expands the older Public Disclosure Scheme (PDS).

Summary Table

Why Pratibha Setu Matters

• It gives hope and opportunity to UPSC aspirants who missed the final list by a little.
• It bridges the gap between merit and employment—so hard-working candidates are not forgotten.
• It opens doors to non-government roles for UPSC-qualified minds, helping them contribute in other ways.
• It strengthens India’s talent utilization by giving recruiters access to proven, educated candidates.

How to Register on the Pratibha Setu Portal

Pratibha Setu is designed to connect UPSC aspirants (who cleared all exam stages but didn’t make the final merit list) with employers. Registration is slightly different for candidates and employers.

For Candidates (UPSC Aspirants)

1. Visit the Portal
   Go to the official Pratibha Setu Portal (UPSC’s official website will have a link).
2. Login with UPSC Credentials
   • Use the same login details that you used for UPSC exam applications.
   • This ensures your identity is verified.
3. Choose to Opt-In
   • You’ll see an option asking if you want to join Pratibha Setu.
   • It’s voluntary—only those who say “Yes” will be included.
4. Fill in Your Profile (Soft Biodata)
   • Personal details (name, contact, education).
   • Exam details (which exam, year, marks, interview status).
   • Work experience, if any.
5. Give Consent
   • Without your permission, employers cannot see your details.
   • Once you agree, your profile will be visible on the portal.
6. Wait for Employer Contact
   • Employers (PSUs, govt bodies, private companies) can view your profile.
   • If they are interested, they will reach out to you directly.

📌 Tip: Keep your profile updated with latest qualifications or achievements.

For Employers (Government, PSU, Private Companies)

1. Go to Employer Registration Page
   • On the Pratibha Setu portal, select Employer Registration.
2. Fill Organization Details
   • Name of organization
   • Type (Government/PSU/Private)
   • Address & contact details
3. Submit Verification Documents
   • For Government/PSU: Department ID / authorization letter.
   • For Private Companies: Must provide a valid CIN (Corporate Identity Number), which will be cross-verified with MCA (Ministry of Corporate Affairs).
4. Wait for Approval
   • UPSC will review your application.
   • Once approved, you’ll receive login credentials for the employer dashboard.
5. Login and Search Candidates
   • Use filters like exam type (CSE, ESE, CDS, etc.), year, education, etc.
   • Shortlist candidates as per your requirement.
6. Contact Candidates
   • Get in touch with shortlisted candidates for interviews or recruitment.

📌 Note: Employers cannot see candidate profiles unless candidates have opted in.

Quick Snapshot (Table Format)

👉 In short, candidates just need to opt in and fill details, while employers must register, get verified, and then access candidate data.

FAQs on Pratibha Setu Portal