Jakarta, INTI - The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) announced that student interest in the 2026 National Science Olympiad (OSN) has increased by 17 percent compared to the previous year, with total registrants reaching 942,000 participants.
Head of the National Achievement Center (Puspresnas) at Kemendikdasmen, Maria Veronica Irene, stated that the number of registrants in 2025 was recorded at 806,000.
She said, “The increase reached 17 percent. Last year it was 806,000, while this year it is 942,000.”
The rise in the number of registrants is considered to reflect growing interest in achievement and science among students.
She explained, “But with this increase, because there is a quota of five students per school, it means that as the number of registrants rises, more schools are encouraging their sons and daughters, their students, to register.”
She added, “As a result, the competition is extraordinary, and the selection process is highly competitive.”
OSN 2026 Schedule and Selection Stages
Kemendikdasmen has set the stages for the 2026 senior high school (SMA) OSN to begin with socialization on January 30, 2026, and portal registration from February 1–28, 2026.
The assignment of room supervisors, proctors, persons in charge, and technical teams will take place from February 1–28, 2026, followed by supervisor mapping from March 10–24, 2026.
The signing of integrity pacts by persons in charge, technicians, proctors, and supervisors will be conducted from March 24 to April 10, 2026.
The district/city-level trial (OSN-K) is scheduled for May 6–7, 2026, while the district/city-level selection will take place on June 18–19, 2026, with results announced on July 3, 2026.
The provincial-level trial (OSN-P) will be held on July 14–15, 2026, and the provincial-level selection on July 27–29, 2026, with results announced on July 2, 2026.
The basic education semifinal trial is scheduled for August 6–7, 2026, followed by the semifinal and assessment on August 13, 2026, with semifinal results announced on August 18, 2026.
The national-level selection (OSN) will take place from August 25–31, 2026.
Kemendikdasmen considers the increased participation to be a positive indicator in the development of student talent management in the field of science.
Conclusion
The 17 percent increase in registrations for OSN 2026, reaching 942,000 participants, reflects a significant rise in student enthusiasm for science and academic achievement across Indonesia. The higher participation rate not only shows growing individual interest but also stronger institutional support, as more schools actively encourage their students to compete. With tighter selection stages and increasing competitiveness, OSN 2026 stands as a key platform for strengthening national talent management and cultivating the next generation of scientific leaders.
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