Cabinet Approves Extension of Fast Track Special Courts Scheme for Five Years (2026–2031)
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| Cabinet Extends Fast Track Courts Scheme Till 2031 |
Posted on 05 Nov 2026: The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister of India, has approved the continuation of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), including exclusive POCSO Courts, for another five years from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031.
The decision aims to strengthen India's judicial system by ensuring faster trials in cases involving rape and offences against children under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
Under the extended scheme, the government has approved a total financial outlay of ₹3,788.04 crore, comprising a Central Government share of ₹2,353.15 crore and a State/Union Territory share of ₹1,434.89 crore. The Central Government's contribution will be funded through the Nirbhaya Fund.
The continuation of this scheme is expected to improve the availability of dedicated courts, reduce the backlog of pending sexual offence cases and provide a more victim-friendly judicial environment, particularly for women and children.
Key Highlights of the Fast Track Special Courts Scheme 2026–2031
The following are the major highlights of the Cabinet's approval:
Particulars Details
Scheme Name Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs)
Scheme Type Centrally Sponsored Scheme
Approved Period 5 Years
Start Date 1 April 2026
End Date 31 March 2031
Total Financial Outlay ₹3,788.04 Crore
Central Government Share ₹2,353.15 Crore
States/UTs Share ₹1,434.89 Crore
Proposed Number of Courts Up to 850
Existing Courts 779
Main Beneficiaries Women and Children
Nodal Department Department of Justice
Central Funding Source Nirbhaya Fund
What Are Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs)?
Fast Track Special Courts are dedicated courts established to speed up the trial and disposal of specific categories of criminal cases.
The FTSC scheme primarily focuses on cases involving rape and offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
These courts are intended to reduce delays in the judicial process by providing dedicated judicial officers, prosecutors and support staff.
Unlike ordinary courts that handle different categories of cases, FTSCs concentrate on the designated categories of sexual offences to facilitate more focused case management and timely trials.
Exclusive POCSO Courts specifically deal with offences against children covered under the POCSO Act.
Five-Year Extension from 2026 to 2031
The continuation of the scheme from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031 is an important step towards strengthening the country's response to sexual offences.
The government intends to expand the coverage of the scheme from the existing 779 Fast Track Special Courts to up to 850 courts across participating States and Union Territories.
The expansion will be based on the pendency of rape and POCSO cases in different districts. This approach is intended to provide additional judicial infrastructure in areas where the need for dedicated courts is greater.
The extended period will also allow participating States and Union Territories to continue receiving financial assistance for the operational expenditure of these courts.
Financial Allocation of ₹3,788.04 Crore
The Union Cabinet has approved a total financial allocation of ₹3,788.04 crore for the five-year continuation of the scheme.
The financial contribution is divided as follows:
Funding Component Amount
Central Government Share ₹2,353.15 Crore
States/UTs Share ₹1,434.89 Crore
Total Outlay ₹3,788.04 Crore
The Central Government's share will be financed through the Nirbhaya Fund.
This financial support is intended to help participating States and Union Territories meet the operational expenditure associated with running FTSCs, according to the approved funding pattern and scheme guidelines.
The allocation will support the continued functioning and expansion of dedicated courts.
Dedicated Judicial Officers and Legal Support
One of the important features of the extended scheme is the provision of dedicated human resources for each Fast Track Special Court.
Each FTSC will have the provision of:
One dedicated Judicial Officer.
One Special Public Prosecutor.
Six supporting staff members.
This dedicated staffing arrangement is intended to reduce administrative delays and help courts concentrate on the disposal of pending rape and POCSO cases.
The appointment of specialised prosecutors is also expected to improve the coordination of prosecution-related work and support the effective presentation of cases before the courts.
Major Benefits and Expected Impact of the Scheme
The continuation of the Fast Track Special Courts scheme is expected to provide several important benefits to the justice delivery system.
1. Faster Trials and Timely Justice
The primary objective of FTSCs is to facilitate faster trials in cases involving rape and sexual offences against children.
Dedicated courts can focus on these cases and improve the management of pending matters.
However, actual disposal timelines will depend on the circumstances of individual cases, availability of evidence and other judicial requirements.
2. Reduction in Pending Rape and POCSO Cases
A large number of pending cases can create difficulties for victims and their families.
By increasing the number of dedicated courts from 779 to up to 850, the government aims to strengthen judicial capacity and improve the disposal of pending cases.
3. Child-Friendly and Victim-Centric Court Environment
Children who are victims of sexual offences require special care and protection during judicial proceedings.
The scheme encourages the establishment of Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centres (VWDCs) and child-friendly court facilities.
These arrangements are intended to make it easier for vulnerable witnesses to provide testimony in a supportive environment while reducing unnecessary distress.
4. Better Access to Justice for Women and Children
Women and children are the primary beneficiaries of this scheme.
By prioritising cases involving vulnerable victims, the government aims to strengthen access to justice and address inequalities in the judicial process.
5. Strengthening the Judicial System
The provision of dedicated judicial officers, prosecutors and support staff will help participating States and Union Territories improve the institutional capacity of their courts.
The expansion is also expected to strengthen coordination between the Department of Justice, High Courts and State Governments.
Implementation Strategy: How Will the Scheme Work?
The Department of Justice will implement the extended scheme in coordination with the respective State Governments and Union Territory Administrations.
The major implementation measures include:
Expansion of FTSCs: The scheme provides for an increase from 779 existing courts to up to 850 courts. Additional districts will be identified based on the pendency of rape and POCSO cases.
Dedicated Legal Support: Each court will have a dedicated Special Public Prosecutor to support the speedy conduct of trials.
Judicial and Administrative Staffing: Each FTSC will have one Judicial Officer and six support staff members.
Financial Assistance: Participating States and Union Territories will receive Central financial assistance according to the approved funding pattern and prescribed guidelines.
Performance Monitoring: The Department of Justice will monitor the functioning of FTSCs through the FTSC Dashboard, periodic progress reports and expenditure statements submitted by States.
Coordination with High Courts: Consultations with High Courts and State Governments will help identify implementation challenges and improve the functioning of the scheme.
Performance Targets of the Extended Scheme
The government intends to improve the overall performance of the dedicated courts during the five-year extension period.
The major targets include:
Improving the disposal rate of pending rape cases.
Increasing the disposal of cases under the POCSO Act, 2012.
Reducing the overall backlog of designated cases.
Strengthening dedicated judicial and prosecution support.
Expanding access to FTSCs in additional districts.
Improving the availability of child-friendly and victim-centric court facilities.
The FTSC Dashboard and periodic reviews will help the Department of Justice assess progress and identify areas requiring additional attention.
Background: When Was the FTSC Scheme Launched?
The Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Fast Track Special Courts was launched on 2 October 2019.
The scheme was introduced in pursuance of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018, and in compliance with the directions of the Supreme Court of India dated 25 July 2019 in Suo Motu Writ (Criminal) No. 1/2019.
The Supreme Court had directed the establishment of exclusive Special Courts in districts having more than 100 pending cases under the POCSO Act, 2012.
Following these directions, the Central Government launched the scheme to establish dedicated Fast Track Special Courts, including exclusive POCSO Courts.
The main objective was to ensure the time-bound disposal of pending rape cases and offences involving children under the POCSO Act.
Since its launch, the scheme has served as an important institutional measure to strengthen the judicial response to sexual offences.
Who Will Benefit from the FTSC Scheme?
The primary beneficiaries are:
Women who are victims of rape.
Children who are victims of sexual offences under the POCSO Act, 2012.
Families of victims seeking timely judicial proceedings.
Vulnerable witnesses who require a supportive environment during court proceedings.
The scheme is also expected to benefit the wider judicial system by improving case management and strengthening dedicated court infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the Fast Track Special Courts (FTSC) Scheme?
The FTSC Scheme is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme introduced to facilitate faster trials and disposal of pending rape cases and offences under the POCSO Act, 2012.
Q2. For how many years has the FTSC scheme been extended?
The Union Cabinet has approved its continuation for another five years, from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031.
Q3. What is the total financial outlay of the scheme?
The total approved financial outlay is ₹3,788.04 crore.
Q4. How much will the Central Government contribute?
The Central Government will contribute ₹2,353.15 crore, funded through the Nirbhaya Fund.
Q5. What is the contribution of States and Union Territories?
The States and Union Territories will contribute ₹1,434.89 crore.
Q6. How many Fast Track Special Courts are proposed?
The scheme provides for the operationalisation of up to 850 FTSCs, including exclusive POCSO Courts, compared with the existing 779 courts.
Q7. What is the main objective of the scheme?
Its main objective is to facilitate speedy trials, reduce pending rape and POCSO cases and strengthen access to justice for women and children.
Q8. Which department will implement the scheme?
The Department of Justice will implement the scheme in coordination with State Governments and Union Territory Administrations.
Q9. What is the POCSO Act?
The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, is a law that provides legal protection to children against sexual assault, sexual harassment and pornography-related offences involving children.
Q10. Will victims receive direct financial assistance under this scheme?
The FTSC scheme primarily provides financial support for the operation of dedicated courts. It is not a direct cash-benefit scheme for individual victims.
Conclusion
The Union Cabinet's decision to continue the Fast Track Special Courts scheme for another five years is an important step towards strengthening India's judicial infrastructure for cases involving sexual offences.
With a total financial outlay of ₹3,788.04 crore and a proposed expansion to up to 850 courts, the extended scheme aims to improve the disposal of pending rape and POCSO cases.
The provision of dedicated Judicial Officers, Special Public Prosecutors and supporting staff, along with child-friendly court facilities, is expected to strengthen the judicial process.
Effective implementation, regular monitoring and coordination between the Central Government, State Governments and High Courts will be essential to achieving the scheme's objectives.
Ultimately, the success of the scheme will be measured by its ability to improve access to justice, reduce delays and provide a more supportive judicial environment for women and children.
Source: Government of India – Cabinet decisions and Department of Justice.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational and educational purposes. Readers should refer to official Government of India notifications and
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