Fast Track Special Courts Scheme Extended to 2031 with ₹3,788 Crore Outlay

Union Cabinet has approved continuation of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for theFast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) including exclusive Protection of Children from the Sexual Offences (POCSO) Courts for another 5 years from 1 April 2026 for a total outlay of Rs 3,788.04 crore. The scheme’s objective is to fasten the trial process for rape and POCSO cases using special courts. The scheme includes a total outlay of Rs 3,788.04 crore comprising of Central contribution of Rs 2,353.15 crore and State/UT contribution of Rs 1,434.89 crore.

Financial Outlay of the FTSC Scheme

The scheme’s total outlay is Rs 3,788.04 crore for the period 2026-27 to 2030-31. The Central Government will contribute Rs 2,353.15 crore and the States and Union Territories will contribute Rs 1,434.89 crore.

The Central contribution would be met from the Nirbhaya Fund.

• Total Outla:y Rs. 3,788.04 crore
• Central Government Contribution: Rs. 2,353.15 crore
• State/UT Contribution: Rs. 1,434.89 crore
• Central contribution to be provided from Nirbhaya Fund.
• Duration of Scheme: 5 Years
• Effective Date: 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031.

Salient Features of the Fast Track Special Courts Scheme

The scheme would facilitate establishment of 850 Fast Track Special Courts, including exclusive Protection of Children from the Sexual Offences (POCSO) Courts.

Some of the salient features of the Scheme are,

• Appointment of one Judicial Officer for every FTSC.
• Special Public Prosecutors (SPPs) will be appointed for every FTSC.
• Six support staff would be provided for every court.
• Financial support would be provided to States and UTs participating in the scheme.
• Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centres (VWDCs) and child friendly courts will be encouraged.
• Priority would be given to disposal of pending rape and POCSO cases.

Increase in number of Fast Track Special Courts to 850 from 779

The government aims to increase the number of functional Fast Track Special Courts from 779 to 850 under this scheme. Additional districts will be covered depending on the pendency of rape and POCSO Act cases.

Currently, 29 States and Union Territories are participating in the scheme. There are 399 exclusive Protection of Children from the Sexual Offences (POCSO) Courts among the 779 functional courts.

• Functional FTSCs: 779
• Exclusive POCSO Courts: 399
• Total FTSCs Proposed: 850
• States/UTs participating: 29
• Cases disposed so far: 4,02,457

Implementation and Monitoring

The scheme will be implemented by the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice in collaboration with State Governments and UT Administrations.

Monitoring of the performance of courts would be done by,

• FTSC Dashboard
• Periodic progress reports
• Expenditure Statements
• Discussion with High Courts and State Governments.
• Review meetings and feedback from concerned stakeholders.

The scheme aims to improve the disposal rate of pending rape and POCSO cases leading to time-bound trials.

Background of Fast Track Special Courts Scheme

The Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Fast Track Special Courts was launched on 2 October 2019 to enable speedier disposal of pending rape cases and offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.

The scheme was launched after the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018 and directions given by the Supreme Court of India on 25 July 2019 in Suo Motu Writ (Criminal) No. 1/2019.

The Supreme Court directed setting up of exclusive Special Courts in districts where pendency of cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 exceeds 100.

The scheme was initially launched for a period of 1 year and it was extended up to 31 March 2026. With the latest Cabinet approval, it has been extended for another 5 years up to 31 March 2031.