New Reform Law Expands 35 Age Limit in Public Hiring

A sweeping omnibus law impacting Türkiye’s public personnel system, judiciary, and governance structures was published in the Official Gazette and has officially come into force. Among its most notable changes is the expanded application of the 35-year age limit for public sector recruitment, alongside adjustments in judicial appointments, ministerial staffing powers, and upper council criteria.

35-Year Age Limit Now Covers Special Exams Too

The age cap for public service applicants has been broadened. Previously applied to KPSS-based recruitments, the 35-year age limit will now also apply to institutions hiring through special competitive exams, including those established by law or presidential decree.

This change aims to standardize age criteria across all public institutions, closing previous gaps between KPSS-based and exam-based hiring processes.

Constitutional Court Members to Head Dispute Court

In a move to increase judicial transparency and strengthen the separation of powers, the President of the Court of Jurisdictional Disputes will now be selected from among members of the Constitutional Court.

This court plays a critical role in resolving conflicts of jurisdiction between administrative and judicial bodies in Türkiye’s legal system.

Ministers Granted Authority to Appoint Personal Advisers

Under the new law, ministers will now have the authority to appoint special advisers for issue-specific consultation. These ministerial advisers will:

• Serve only for the duration of the minister’s term

• Be dismissed at any time if deemed necessary

This move is expected to increase administrative flexibility while also maintaining political accountability.

New Institutions Included in Expert Staffing Framework

The law also expands the scope of agencies permitted to hire experts and assistant experts under presidential decrees. Newly included institutions are:

• Council of Higher Education (YÖK)

• Higher Education Quality Council (YÖKAK)

• General Staff Command

• Branch Commands of the Armed Forces

This is expected to bolster analytical and technical capacities in key strategic institutions.

Political Neutrality Criteria for Upper Council Appointments

To safeguard institutional impartiality, the law introduces strict political neutrality rules for appointments to regulatory bodies like:

• Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK)

• Public Procurement Authority (KİK)

Appointees must:

• Not be affiliated with political party leadership or oversight roles

• Or, have formally resigned from such positions

This aims to ensure nonpartisan governance in institutions overseeing telecommunications, digital infrastructure, and public procurement.