256,369 candidates pass SNBT 2026

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Selection Committee for New Students (SNPMB) has announced that 256,369 out of 871,496 applicants successfully passed the 2026 National Selection Based on Test (SNBT) across Indonesia’s state universities (PTNs).

The committee noted a 29.42% acceptance rate from the total applicants, competing for 286,864 available seats at 145 PTNs nationwide.

Among the successful candidates, 86,118 (33.59%) were recipients of the Kartu Indonesia Pintar (KIP) Kuliah scholarship, and 69 disabled candidates including visually impaired, physically disabled, hearing impaired, and speech impaired students were also admitted.

Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Mendiktisaintek) Brian Yuliarto stated at a press conference in Jakarta on Monday that the high participation rate indicates growing public confidence and desire to pursue higher education.

“This is good news, as more young people seeking higher education increases our nation’s chances of developing a superior human resource base for Indonesia Emas 2045. We are grateful that the SNPMB committee has responded to this enthusiasm with a more robust, accountable, and equitable selection system,” he said.

He mentioned the use of various technologies to reduce cheating, including tightened supervision SOPs, metal detectors, and AI-powered facial recognition.

“Several changes have been made this year based on evaluations of previous years’ processes. This year, the SNPMB selection committee has effectively detected and prevented cheating,” Brian added.

SNPMB 2026 Chairperson Eduart Wolok congratulated the successful candidates and urged them to re-register according to their target PTN’s schedule.

He also advised those who did not pass the SNBT to stay motivated, as they still have the opportunity to apply through independent selection processes for 2026 university admissions.