Core Points - The age limit for the national civil service examination (国考) has been generally relaxed to 38 years, with a specific extension to 43 years for recent master's and doctoral graduates [1][26] - The increase in applicants for the 2026 national civil service examination reached a record high of 3,515,251, an increase of nearly 260,000 compared to the previous year [2] Group 1: Age Limit Changes - The adjustment of age limits for civil service examinations is seen as a response to the changing demographic structure and the need for experienced professionals in the civil service [1][27] - Various provinces, including Shandong, Tianjin, Sichuan, and Jiangsu, have also revised their age limits for civil service recruitment to align with the national examination [1] Group 2: Applicant Demographics - Many older candidates, particularly those around the age of 35, are particularly sensitive to the news of age limit relaxation, prompting them to begin preparations for the civil service exams [1] - The decision to pursue civil service positions is influenced by family responsibilities and the inability to relocate for work, leading many older candidates to focus on local examinations [15][26] Group 3: Personal Experiences - Candidates like Fang Ting and Yang Zhiming illustrate the challenges faced by older applicants, including balancing family responsibilities and the pressures of exam preparation [4][6] - The experiences of candidates highlight the emotional and psychological toll of repeated exam attempts, with many feeling the weight of family expectations and personal aspirations [8][11] Group 4: Implications for the Job Market - The relaxation of age limits is expected to have a ripple effect on other job sectors, potentially leading to a broader reevaluation of age-related hiring practices across various industries [27] - The shift in civil service recruitment policies may encourage a more diverse range of candidates, including those with extensive experience in other fields, to apply for public sector roles [27]