BEIJING - China's national-level government agencies, their affiliated public institutions and local branches will recruit over 22,000 civil servants in 2015, up from the 19,000-plus in 2014.

The 2015 public service exam for national-level governments will open to applications from Oct 15 to 24, the Organization Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the State Administration of Civil Service announced on Monday.

According to authorities, the 2015 public service selection will continue to favor candidates who have worked at grassroots levels.

Most positions in government agencies above provincial level will require two years of grassroots working experience. About 10 percent of all vacancies will be set aside for college graduates-turned village officials.

Chinese college students are encouraged to work as village officials after graduation.

The written tests will start on Nov 30.