Group 1 - The core point of the news is the adjustment of the age limit for the national civil service examination, raising it from "under 35 years old" to "under 38 years old" for the first time, which is seen as a significant change in recruitment policy [1][2][4] - The total number of positions available in the 2026 national civil service examination is planned to be 38,119, a decrease of 4.3% from the previous year's 39,100 positions [2] - The age limit for applicants has been adjusted to generally be between 18 and 38 years old, with a special provision allowing master's and doctoral graduates to apply up to 43 years old [2][3] Group 2 - The official explanation for the age limit adjustment is to align with the gradual increase in the statutory retirement age, which is being extended by three years [3] - The proportion of positions reserved for fresh graduates remains high, with 67.68% of the positions in this year's examination restricted to fresh graduates, an increase compared to previous years [3][4] - The adjustment is viewed as a symbolic step towards breaking the "35-year employment barrier," reflecting broader discussions about age discrimination in employment [4][6] Group 3 - Some regions have already begun to raise age limits in local civil service recruitment, indicating a trend that may influence future provincial examinations [4][5] - The recruitment practices vary by region, with some areas still maintaining the 35-year age limit, highlighting that the age adjustment is not yet a nationwide standard [6] - The ongoing discourse around the "35-year phenomenon" suggests that older job seekers face increasing challenges in the labor market, with concerns about job security and employment opportunities [6][7]