Group 1 - The 2026 National Civil Service Examination (国考) will take place on November 30, with 3.718 million candidates passing the qualification review, resulting in a ratio of approximately 98:1 between candidates and available positions [1][2] - The planned recruitment for 2026 is 38,100 positions, a decrease of 1,600 from the previous year, while the number of applicants has increased by 300,000, indicating a sustained high level of interest and competition [2] - The examination continues to favor recent graduates, with over 68% of positions aimed at supporting employment for college graduates, and the recruitment ratio for fresh graduates remaining above 60% in recent years [16] Group 2 - The tax system accounts for more than half of the available positions in the 2026 exam, with significant representation from customs, financial supervision, and the People's Bank of China [16] - The most competitive position is for the "Ruili Repatriation Center Executive Team Level Police Officer," with over 7,000 applicants for just one position, reflecting a "thousand-to-one" competition [21] - Guangdong province has the highest number of applicants at 327,000, a 23.2% increase from the previous year, with a recruitment ratio of 99:1, while Beijing has the most intense competition with a ratio of 163:1 [28][33]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the increasing competition and changing dynamics in the civil service examination landscape in China, highlighting the challenges faced by candidates in securing government positions amid rising applicant numbers and decreasing recruitment quotas [3][4][5]. Group 1: Examination Trends - In 2026, the number of candidates for the civil service examination reached 3.718 million, a significant increase compared to previous years, with a 34.7% rise in 2022 alone [6][7]. - The recruitment plan for the 2026 civil service examination saw a reduction of 1,602 positions, marking the first decrease in seven years, leading to a record competition ratio of 98:1 [7][9]. - The civil service examination has been labeled as "the most difficult" for several years, with the number of successful candidates consistently increasing, reaching 371.8 million in 2026, which is double the number from 2019 [6][7]. Group 2: Regional Competition - The provinces with the highest number of successful candidates include Guangdong, Beijing, Shandong, Henan, and Yunnan, with Guangdong alone having 290,000 candidates pass the review [9][10]. - Despite high applicant numbers, the competition ratio is more intense in regions like Beijing, Ningxia, and Guizhou, where the number of positions is limited compared to the number of applicants [10][15]. Group 3: Age Limit Changes - The age limit for civil service examination candidates has been raised to 38 years, with specific positions allowing applicants up to 43 years old, which has led to increased anxiety among current candidates [17][18]. - The number of positions available for candidates without a fresh graduate status has decreased by 6%, while the number of applicants has increased by 6%, indicating heightened competition [18][24]. Group 4: Job Market Dynamics - The civil service examination offers a significant number of positions at the county level, accounting for 73.88% of total positions, but competition remains fierce for higher-level positions [33][34]. - Certain positions, particularly in the tax system, are highly sought after, with the tax system planning to recruit 25,004 individuals, representing 65.6% of total recruitment [24][27]. Group 5: Candidate Experience - Many candidates face challenges in securing positions due to high competition and stringent requirements, with some positions remaining unfilled due to their demanding qualifications [30][31]. - The experience of working as a grassroots civil servant can be taxing, with many expressing a desire to leave the position due to the high workload and complex interpersonal dynamics [39][43].

Group 1 - The 2026 National Examination (国考) plans to recruit 38,100 individuals, a decrease of 1,600 from the previous year [2] - As of October 24, the number of applicants has exceeded 3 million, indicating a growing trend in both recruitment numbers and applicant interest over the past three years [2] - The ratio of applicants passing the qualification review to the recruitment plan has increased annually, reaching approximately 86:1 this year [2] Group 2 - The age limit for applicants has been relaxed, allowing candidates aged 18 to 38, and for 2026 graduates, up to 43 years old [2] - The recruitment continues to favor fresh graduates and positions at the grassroots level, with over 68% of the total recruitment plan aimed at recent university graduates [2] Group 3 - Some positions have extremely high competition, such as the position at the National Immigration Administration with a ratio of 6,470 applicants for one spot [3] - Other competitive roles include positions at the China Disabled Persons' Federation and the General Administration of Sport, with applicant-to-position ratios of 4,861:1 and 3,399:1 respectively [4] Group 4 - There are also positions that have received little interest, with nearly 130 positions having no applicants passing the qualification review [4] - Factors such as job requirements and development prospects contribute to the varying levels of interest across different regions and departments [4] Group 5 - Important dates for the examination process include the qualification review deadline on October 26 and the public examination scheduled for November 30 [5][6]