Government Signals Opening of 160,000 CPNS Positions in 2026, Fresh Graduates Prioritised

Government Signals Opening of 160,000 CPNS Positions in 2026, Prioritising Fresh Graduates - Ministry of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform VIVA – The Ministry of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform (PANRB) has indicated that the government will open approximately 160,000 positions for prospective civil servants (CPNS) in 2026. The plan to open 160,000 CPNS positions in 2026 follows the expected retirement of approximately 160,000 civil servants or State Civil Apparatus (ASN) this year. “We already have the data, around 160,000,” said Minister of PANRB, Rini Widyantini, at the Ministry of PANRB building, Jakarta, on Tuesday, 24 February 2026. According to Rini, the Ministry of PANRB has written to the Minister of Finance, Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, to request the allocation of the necessary budget to support the implementation of the 2026 CPNS selection process. “We have sent a letter to the Minister of Finance to have it calculated as soon as possible,” she said. However, Rini admitted that she could not yet announce the exact date when the 2026 CPNS selection will begin. This is because, before announcing the CPNS selection process, the Ministry of PANRB needs to first request the number of positions and the required competencies for CPNS from each ministry/agency and local government. “I can’t just make it up. I can’t invent the competencies that the agencies need,” she said. On this occasion, the Minister of PANRB, Rini, stated that the government is concerned about fresh graduates and their participation in filling bureaucratic positions in the 2026 CPNS selection. “Of course, we are very concerned about fresh graduates being able to participate in helping with the bureaucracy,” she said. However, Rini added, it is equally important to align the CPNS competencies with the strategies of each ministry/agency and local government, as well as the priority programmes of President Prabowo Subianto’s administration. “These competencies must, of course, be aligned with the strategies of the ministry (or agency or local government), and then with the President’s strategy,” said Rini. “This must be prioritised, such as the programmes that will be national priorities.”