China’s national examination for 2021 admissions to the civil service kicked off on Sunday. This photo shows candidates preparing at a test center in Nanjing Forestry University. (Compiled by Li Yueyi)

A total of 25,700 people are expected to be enrolled as civil servants in 2021, and more than 1.5 million qualified candidates are taking the exam this year, which means one out of 61 candidates will be hired. Photo shows candidates waiting in line to enter the test center in Taiyuan on Sunday.

Seventy-nine departments and 23 directly affiliated agencies under the central government are taking part in this year’s recruitment. This photo shows candidates at the Capital Normal University test center going through COVID-19-related health checks before entering the test room.

The total enrollment has increased from 14,500 last year to 24,000 in 2020. This photo shows candidates wearing masks entering the test room in Nanjing Forestry University test center on November 29.

This photo shows candidates entering the Zhejiang Police Vocational Academy test center in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province on November 29.

Photo shows candidates entering the test room at the Nanjing Forestry University test center on Sunday.

Photo shows candidates entering the test room at the Nanjing Forestry University test center on Sunday.