Rumors about the potential opening of the 2026 Civil Servant Candidate (CPNS) recruitment have sparked interest across social media, with many Indonesians eager to know which positions, institutions, and majors will be most sought after in government agencies.

According to recent updates from the Ministry overseeing civil service recruitment, approximately 160,000 civil servants retired in 2025. This has raised expectations that CPNS 2026 could open to fill the vacant positions, though exact timelines and procedures have yet to be confirmed.

Recruitment planning involves multiple stages, including budget allocation. While the number of open positions may be significant, the availability of funding may not allow all slots to be immediately filled. Authorities have emphasized that the government is particularly attentive to fresh graduates, aiming to provide opportunities for new talent to contribute to public service. Each ministry and local government is currently mapping out its staffing needs, including required competencies for various roles.

Most Sought-After Majors for CPNS Applicants

Based on the previous CPNS cycle in 2025, certain majors consistently ranked high in demand across both central and local government agencies. These can serve as a reference for prospective applicants preparing for upcoming recruitment.

Diploma III (D3) – Technical and Operational Roles D3 positions generally focus on operational and technical support, administrative tasks, paramedical roles, and other similar responsibilities. Popular D3 majors include:

• Nursing

• Midwifery

• Accounting

• Office Administration

• Pharmacy

• Information Technology

• Taxation

• Logistics Management

• Statistics

• Civil Engineering

• Public Relations

• Radiology

• Health Analysis

• Electrical Engineering

Diploma IV (D4) – Applied Undergraduate Programs D4 graduates hold a professional degree equivalent to S1 in government hierarchy, emphasizing practical and technical expertise. Highly demanded D4 majors include:

• Public Sector Accounting

• Civil Construction Engineering

• Software Engineering Technology

• Public Administration

• Dental Nursing

• Land Management

• Land Transport Management

• Midwifery (Education/Clinical)

• Clinical Laboratory Technology

• Clinical Nutrition

• Digital Archiving

• Management

• Public Administration

• Industrial Electrical Engineering

• Business Administration

Bachelor’s Degree (S1) – Functional and Entry-Level Managerial Roles S1 positions offer the most diverse opportunities, often including functional experts and early-stage managerial roles. Popular S1 majors are:

• Law

• Information Technology

• Information Systems

• Accounting

• Psychology

• Development Economics

• Public Administration

• Communication Studies

• Public Health

• Civil Engineering

• Management

• Architecture

• Sociology

• Statistics

• Mathematics

• Environmental Engineering

Emerging Trends and Digital Skills Demand Digital talents are increasingly valued, particularly in ministries and local governments accelerating e-government initiatives. Graduates in Information Technology and Information Systems are in high demand.

Infrastructure-related positions remain popular, especially for roles connected to the development of the new capital city, including Civil Engineering and Architecture. Meanwhile, health and education roles—particularly doctors, nurses, and lecturers—continue to be offered widely, including placements in remote or underserved regions. Social science majors like Law and Accounting remain consistently in demand across multiple agencies and regions.

With these insights, prospective applicants can better prepare for CPNS 2026, aligning their skills and qualifications with the most sought-after government positions.