Pratibha Setu: Cleared UPSC Mains but not selected? This govt portal could open hiring doors

The government has launched the Pratibha Setu portal on which companies, both public and private, as well as other organisations, can register to access details of the unsuccessful UPSC candidates and consider them for recruitment, it informed the Parliament on August 7, 2025.

Every year, thousands of individuals sit for the UPSC examinations, but only a limited number of candidates make it to the interview round. During FY21 to FY25 (2020-21 to 2024-25), a total of 52,910 candidates reached the interview stage of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination after clearing the Prelims and Mains. Of these, only 33,950 candidates were selected, as per government data.

Details of the rest of the candidates, who cleared the tough stages of the UPSC recruitment process and made it to the interview but didn’t get selected, are shared publicly on an online portal by respective recruitment agencies. These details can be accessed by public and private employers to consider these candidates for various jobs at their organisations, it said.

In a written reply in Rajya Sabha, Minister of State (Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, and Prime Minister’s Office) Jitendra Singh, said, “In order to increase access to job opportunities for unsuccessful candidates in recruitment examinations, the Government launched the Public Disclosure Scheme in June 2016. Under the scheme, the details of non-recommended candidates who have cleared various stages of recruitment exams but have not been finally recommended for selection are shared publicly on an online portal by the respective recruitment agencies. The same can be accessed/used by private/public employers for considering such candidates for recruitment in their respective organisations.”

More about Pratibha Setu

The Public Disclosure Scheme, now known as Pratibha Setu, is an initiative by the UPSC to connect companies with talented individuals who cleared the written UPSC exams but did not make it to the merit list. It is aimed at promoting better utilisation of talent and contributes to the employment scene in the country.

The scheme is now being implemented through the National Career Service portal. UPSC has also launched the Pratibha Setu portal on which companies, both public and private, as well as other organisations, can register to access details of the non-recommended candidates (who didn’t make it to the merit list) and consider them for recruitment.

“The scheme is being implemented through the National Career Service portal. UPSC has recently launched the Pratibha-Setu portal, on which private companies/ PSUs/other organisations can register to access details of non-recommended candidates for considering them for recruitment in their organizations. Further information in respect of the Public Disclosure Scheme is available on the website of this Department, on the National Career Service Portal maintained by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, and on the website of UPSC,” the reply stated.

Civil Services Examination in India

In India, the UPSC conducts a multi-stage process for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) to select candidates for various civil service positions. The process has three main stages: the Preliminary Examination (Prelims), the Main Examination (Mains), and the Interview/Personality Test. The UPSC Civil Services Examination is considered to be one of the toughest exams in India.

In 2024, a total of 5,83,213 candidates appeared for the Prelims and only 14,627 candidates qualified for Mains. Out of these, 2,845 candidates qualified for the Personality Test (interview) of the examination, according to official government data. Ultimately, only 1,009 candidates (725 men and 284 women) were recommended by the UPSC for appointment to various civil services. The Pratibha Setu scheme helps unsuccessful UPSC candidates get decent jobs and allows for the utilisation of their talent in various fields.