China witnessed unprecedented competition in its 2026 national civil service examination for central government institutions held on Sunday, with a record-breaking 74 applicants contending for each available position. The examination, administered nationwide, saw approximately 2.83 million candidates compete for merely 38,100 positions after 3.718 million applicants passed initial verification procedures, according to data from the State Administration of Civil Service.
This year’s recruitment process marks the most intensely competitive in the examination’s history, continuing a dramatic upward trend in applicant numbers that has surged from approximately 2.6 million in 2023 to over 3.7 million currently. The competition reached extraordinary levels in specific cases, notably a single police officer position with the National Immigration Administration in Ruili, Yunnan province, which attracted an astonishing 6,470 applicants.
A landmark reform characterized this year’s examination—the significant relaxation of age restrictions aligned with China’s progressive approach to delaying legal retirement ages. The general applicant age ceiling was elevated from 35 to 38 years, while new graduates holding master’s and doctoral degrees became eligible up to age 43, representing a three-year extension from previous limitations.
Professor Zhu Lijia of the National Academy of Governance emphasized that this policy adjustment recognizes the valuable experience and capabilities professionals in their mid-30s have accumulated, potentially significantly enhancing government department quality. The reform has already generated substantial social impact, with multiple provincial-level civil service examinations in Shanghai, Sichuan, and Jiangsu adopting similar relaxed age policies.
For older candidates like Zhou Ming, a 35-year-old internet industry professional from Guangdong province, the policy represents a renewed opportunity for public service careers. However, challenges persist as approximately 66.7% of positions remain reserved for recent graduates, limiting options for experienced professionals seeking career transitions.
Yi Dinghong from Huatu Education, a civil service examination training institution, noted that while older candidates balance work and family responsibilities during preparation, their extensive experience provides distinct advantages in communication, coordination, and stress management during interviews.
Professor Ma Liang from Peking University’s School of Government indicated that relaxing age restrictions represents an inevitable demographic trend as retirement ages extend and educational periods lengthen. Future adjustments might include complete removal of age limits, though this would require gradual implementation and corresponding reforms in career advancement systems to ensure equitable development opportunities for all employees.