Applications to sit the national civil service exam in 2014 saw a sharp rise in approvals from a year ago.

Figures from the State Administration of Civil Service showed more than 13,000 applicants passed the qualification assessment on Wednesday, twice the number for the first day of applications last year.

Nearly 6,900 qualified applicants applied for positions in the State Administration of Taxation while 1,200 qualified applicants will compete for posts in the maritime safety departments.

China’s national-level government agencies, their affiliated public institutions and local branches will recruit over 19,000 civil servants in 2014, a slight decrease on 2013.

In 2013’s exam, 20,839 positions were open for application, the Xinhua News Agency reported.