Indonesia to Focus on Fresh Graduates in 2026 Civil Service Recruitment

Shift in Recruitment Policy

The Indonesian government is set to open civil service (CPNS) recruitment in 2026, with a significant policy shift towards prioritizing fresh graduates. According to Minister of State Apparatus Utilization and Bureaucratic Reform (PANRB) Rini Widyantini, the upcoming recruitment will focus on regenerating the bureaucracy through general applicants and fresh graduates. This marks a change from the previous focus on resolving the status of non-civil servants (honorary staff).

Preparation and Planning

The government is currently finalizing the national human resources structure to accommodate the staffing needs of the 'Red and White Cabinet', which comprises 48 ministries. Minister Rini has instructed all government agencies to prepare a five-year strategic analysis of their staffing needs, identifying positions that require either positive growth (additional staff) or negative growth (staff reduction).

Current Challenges and Future Plans

While the exact date for the 2026 CPNS recruitment has not been confirmed, the Ministry is working on completing the determination of official status (SK) for honorary staff, which was previously targeted for October. The long-term policy direction indicates a greater opportunity for young talent to join the bureaucracy.

General Requirements for CPNS Recruitment

Based on previous year's registration, the general requirements for CPNS recruitment include:

1. Indonesian citizenship meeting specific institutional requirements
2. Age between 18 and 35 years (up to 40 for certain professions like doctors and researchers)
3. Good physical and mental health
4. No criminal record with imprisonment of 2 years or more
5. Not dismissed dishonourably from any government or private employment
6. Not currently holding CPNS/PNS, TNI, or Polri status
7. Not involved in political parties or practical political activities
8. Meeting educational qualifications for the applied position
9. Willing to be placed anywhere in Indonesia or abroad as required

Special Requirements

Specific requirements will be detailed on the respective government agency websites that will be opening CPNS positions in the 2026 fiscal year.