The 2025 National Civil Service Examination in China has concluded its registration, with a record high of 3.25 million applicants. Of particular interest is the position of Grade A Deputy Director and below at the China Vocational Education Association, which attracted a staggering 16,702 applicants.
The registration system for the 2025 National Civil Service Examination opened on October 15th at 8 a.m. and closed its doors at 6 p.m. on October 24th. According to statistics from the Zhonggong Education, as of 5:30 p.m. yesterday (24th), the total number of applicants for the 2025 exam reached 3,258,274 people, an increase of over 340,000 compared to the same period last year, once again breaking a historical record.
According to statistics from Zhonggong Education, as of 5:30 p.m. on the 24th, 2,919,217 applicants have passed the screening by recruiting units and obtained the “entry ticket” for the 2025 National Civil Service Examination, with an expected average competition ratio of 83.5:1. The screening by the registration agency is still ongoing, with approximately over 340,000 people currently waiting for the recruiting units’ review, and the qualification review will end at 6 p.m. on October 26th.
The previously announced 2025 National Civil Service Examination notice indicated that this year 39,721 positions would be recruited, an increase of only 160 from last year. From 2020 to 2025, the number of recruits for the national exam was approximately 24,100, 25,700, 31,200, 37,100, 39,600, and 39,700, showing that the increase in recruitment this time is far less than in previous years.
Looking at the registration situation by position, some positions have become highly competitive. One of the most striking is the Grade A Deputy Director and below position at the China Vocational Education Association, for which 16,702 people have already applied, resulting in an intense competition ratio of 16,702:1.
In terms of professional requirements, applicants with backgrounds in philosophy, economics, law, education, literature, history, science, engineering, or management are eligible, with a minimum requirement of a bachelor’s degree. There are no restrictions on grassroots work experience or household registration. The note indicates that the business proficiency test will include translation between Chinese and English and verbal communication, with business proficiency test results accounting for 15% of the overall score.
The topic labeled “National Exam with Competition Ratio as High as 16,702:1” has sparked discussions on social media.
Netizens commented: “Being a civil servant is currently the safest and most stable choice for ordinary people.” “Previously mocked Fan Jin, now envy Fan Jin.” “What a world, people are literally fighting to become civil servants, speechless.” “It’s truly a very distorted society.” “In this prosperous era, even radishes have to fight.” “It’s not a good sign; without addressing fundamental economic and political issues, it will inevitably backfire.”