Puan Claims UTBK 2026 Cheating is Becoming More Sophisticated, Urges State to Tighten Oversight

Jakarta - House of Representatives Speaker Puan Maharani has spotlighted the prevalence of cheating in the implementation of the 2026 Computer-Based Written Examination (UTBK), which she described as increasingly sophisticated and organised.

She called on the state to tighten the oversight system to maintain the integrity of the selection process for state universities.

“And seeing the cheating methods that are becoming more advanced, an adaptation of the oversight system and technology is needed. Especially in this modern era, there are many tools that enable cheating,” said Puan in her official statement on Thursday (23/4/2026).

According to Puan, the various instances of cheating found in the 2026 UTBK are no longer mere individual violations.

“The recurring patterns with increasingly complex techniques indicate that the pressures of today’s educational competition have evolved in a way that demands more serious attention,” said Puan.

She stressed that such cheating practices have the potential to damage the fundamental principles of national selection, which should uphold meritocracy based on academic ability and fair effort.

“Every form of cheating that attempts to breach the system with the help of technology, fake identities, or substitute parties truly undermines collective trust in the meritocracy mechanism,” said Puan.

To that end, Puan urged the organising committee and relevant ministries to use every loophole in cheating as material for a comprehensive evaluation to improve the selection design moving forward.

The PDI-P politician warned that if this situation is allowed to continue, participants who follow the process honestly will doubt the fairness of the selection system.

Previously reported, the implementation of the 2026 Computer-Based Written Examination (UTBK) at several state universities in Indonesia was marred by findings of various forms of cheating.

Cases that emerged from the first day included the use of hidden aids to suspected proxy practices with recurring patterns at several exam locations.

These findings were reported by the National Student Admission Selection (SNPMB) committee, which recorded violations at various UTBK centres.

Violations were found at Diponegoro University (Undip), State University of Surabaya (Unesa), State University of Malang (UM), Airlangga University (Unair), and West Sulawesi University (Unsulbar).