The Ministry of Management and Innovation in Public Services (MGI) announced significant updates concerning the Unified National Public Contest (CNU), especially for candidates identifying as black or mixed. On December 23, 2024, officials confirmed the release of specific convocations for the self-identification process, aiming to validate the ethnic-racial status of applicants for the reserved vacancies.
With 2.11 million candidates vying for 6,640 positions across 21 federal agencies, the MGI outlined the procedure via the Diário Oficial da União. Starting today, candidates are urged to access the Candidate Area on the Fundação Cesgranrio website. There, they will find details about the timetable, location, and designated times for attending the "banca de heteroidentificação"—a committee set to review the ethnic-racial self-identification claims.
The MGI reiterated the importance of personal accountability: candidates are solely responsible for checking their designated schedules and attending the appointments. “The announcement includes candidate accountability for checking the timetable and location for the hetero-identification, with no possibility of rescheduling,” reported by Agência Brasil. This means those who fail to appear at the assigned time and place will face consequences, as they would not have the opportunity to remit other excuses or objections for their absence.
The Ministry stresses the absolute importance of this process. The self-identification procedure is established under Law No. 12.990 of 2014, ensuring 20% of positions are reserved for individuals who identify within the targeted racial groups. This law has helped carve paths for many deserving candidates seeking inclusion and representation within civil service roles.
The initiative is also timely, as it opens up dialogues about broader societal issues surrounding racial equality and representation within government roles. Candidates who have not previously undergone the hetero-identification process are also being included in this latest round of appointments as per recommendations from the Federal Public Ministry.
Additional requirements demand candidates consult their designated sections on the Fundação Cesgranrio site for the positions they are qualified to upload titles. “Titles considered valid for scoring will only be those obtained up until October 11, 2024, regardless of when submission documents were issued,” emphasized MGI. This regulation ensures fairness and maintains the integrity of the selection process.
For those participating, the deadline for uploading their titles is set for January 2 and 3, 2025, leading up to the culmination of this extensive competition. The results for the CNU are eagerly anticipated, with the final results scheduled for release on February 11, 2025, following adjustments made after the reinstatement of thousands of candidates who had previously been sidelined and disputed their evaluations.
These measures represent both the MGI’s commitment to increasing accessibility and the continued effort to reflect the nation’s demographic diversity within its public service sectors. Watching this process will be important, as it could shape the future framework surrounding affirmative action policies and promote equity across all levels of government employment.
This CNU self-identification stage holds both historical significance as part of the broader conversation on race, equity, and justice, and immediate practical consequences for countless individuals aiming to serve their communities through public service roles. The MGI’s structured approach to hetero-identification not only reinforces legal commitments but also embodies aspirations for societal progress.
