Core Points - The 2026 national civil service examination has seen a record number of applicants, with 3.718 million passing the qualification review, resulting in a ratio of approximately 98:1 between applicants and recruitment plans [1] - The age limit for applicants has been relaxed, allowing candidates aged 18 to 38, and for 2026 graduates with master's and doctoral degrees, the limit is extended to 43, compared to previous limits of 35 and 40 years [1] - This adjustment in age requirements is seen as a response to the delayed retirement policy and reflects changes in the labor market and educational landscape [1][2] Recruitment Trends - The recruitment plan for 2026 is set at 38,100 positions, a decrease of about 1,600 from the previous year, despite a general trend of increasing recruitment numbers from 2019 to 2025 [3] - The tax system is expected to recruit 25,004 individuals, accounting for 65.6% of total recruitment, due to a wave of retirements and increased demand for professionals in finance, accounting, statistics, and computer science [3] Employment Market Insights - The relaxation of age limits is viewed as a targeted policy adjustment rather than a broad expansion, and it is not expected to significantly change the competitive landscape of the civil service examination [2] - The high number of applicants reflects a shift in career planning among recent graduates, who are attracted to the stability and social recognition associated with civil service roles [4]

Core Points - The 2026 national civil service examination has seen a record number of applicants, with 3.718 million passing the qualification review, resulting in a ratio of approximately 98:1 between applicants and recruitment plans [1] - The age limit for applicants has been relaxed, allowing candidates aged 18 to 38, and for 2026 graduates with master's and doctoral degrees, the limit is extended to 43, a 3-year increase compared to previous regulations [1] - The adjustment in age limits is seen as a response to the delayed retirement policy and reflects changes in the labor market and educational landscape, emphasizing the need for lifelong education [1][2] Recruitment Trends - The number of planned recruits for the 2026 national civil service examination is set at 38,100, a decrease of about 1,600 from the previous year, despite a trend of increasing recruitment numbers from 2019 to 2025 [3] - The tax system is expected to recruit 25,004 individuals, accounting for 65.6% of total recruitment, due to a wave of retirements and increased demand for professionals in finance, accounting, statistics, and computer science [3] Market Implications - The relaxation of age limits is viewed as a targeted policy adjustment rather than a broad expansion, indicating that competition remains intense and the core focus for candidates should still be their own capabilities [2] - The trend of increasing applicants reflects a shift in career planning among recent graduates, who are drawn to the stability and social recognition associated with civil service positions [4]

Core Points - The 2026 National Civil Service Examination (国考) has a total recruitment of 38,119 positions, with a record number of 3,515,251 applicants, an increase of nearly 260,000 compared to the previous year, marking a historical high [1][5] - The average competition ratio stands at 92:1, with 3,207,060 applicants passing the recruitment unit's review [1][6] - The age limit for applicants has been relaxed, allowing candidates aged 18 to 38, and for 2026 graduates with master's and doctoral degrees, the limit is extended to 43 [2][3] Recruitment Data - The recruitment numbers and competition ratios for various agencies are as follows: - Tax Bureau: 25,004 positions, 2,362,629 applicants, competition ratio of 94.49:1 - People's Bank of China: 2,780 positions, 149,220 applicants, competition ratio of 53.68:1 - Customs: 2,763 positions, 228,616 applicants, competition ratio of 82.74:1 - Financial Regulatory Bureau: 2,459 positions, 129,240 applicants, competition ratio of 52.56:1 - Railway Public Security Bureau: 479 positions, 72,107 applicants, competition ratio of 150.54:1 [2] Policy Implications - The relaxation of age limits is seen as a response to the delayed retirement policy, suggesting a need for adjustments in recruitment criteria [3][4] - The adjustment reflects a broader trend in various regions, with several local governments already implementing similar age relaxations for public service examinations [4][5] - Experts suggest that this move could create a "demonstration effect" in the job market, encouraging a more inclusive approach to age in recruitment [5] Trends and Observations - The recruitment plan from 2019 to 2025 shows a steady increase in the number of positions, although the growth rate has slowed down, with a slight decrease of about 1,600 positions for 2026 compared to the previous year [5] - The tax system is expected to account for approximately 65.6% of the total recruitment, driven by a wave of retirements and the need for skilled professionals in finance, accounting, and technology [6] - The "public service examination craze" reflects a strategic career adjustment by graduates in response to economic changes, highlighting the stability and social recognition associated with civil service roles [7]