The Union Cabinet has approved the extension of India’s Fast Track Special Courts (FTSC) Scheme until March 31, 2031, with a total financial outlay of ₹3,788.04 crore. The decision aims to accelerate the disposal of pending rape cases and offences registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the continuation of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for another five years, from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2031.
The extended scheme aims to operationalise up to 850 Fast Track Special Courts, including exclusive POCSO Courts, across participating States and Union Territories.
The Central Government’s share of ₹2,353.15 crore will be funded through the Nirbhaya Fund, while the remaining ₹1,434.89 crore will be contributed by participating States and Union Territories.
Fast Track Special Courts Scheme 2026: Key Highlights
The important features of the Cabinet-approved extension are:
- Scheme: Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs).
- Approval: Union Cabinet.
- Chairperson of Cabinet: Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- Extension Period: April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2031.
- Total Financial Outlay: ₹3,788.04 crore.
- Central Government Share: ₹2,353.15 crore.
- State/UT Share: ₹1,434.89 crore.
- Funding Source: Nirbhaya Fund for the Central share.
- Target Courts: 850 Fast Track Special Courts.
- Beneficiaries: Women and children who are victims of sexual offences.
- Nodal Department: Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice.
What is the Fast Track Special Courts Scheme?
- The Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) Scheme is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched by the Government of India on October 2, 2019.
- Its primary objective is to ensure the speedy trial and disposal of pending cases involving rape and offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
- The scheme was introduced following the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018, and the Supreme Court’s directions dated July 25, 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 POCSO cases.
- The scheme provides dedicated judicial infrastructure and specialised legal personnel to handle sensitive cases involving sexual violence against women and children.
₹3,788.04 Crore Financial Outlay: Complete Breakdown
The Union Cabinet has approved a total financial allocation of ₹3,788.04 crore for the five-year extension.
The funding structure is divided between the Central Government and participating States and Union Territories.
| Funding Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Financial Outlay | ₹3,788.04 crore |
| Central Government Share | ₹2,353.15 crore |
| States/UTs Share | ₹1,434.89 crore |
| Central Funding Source | Nirbhaya Fund |
| Scheme Duration | 5 Years |
The Central Government’s contribution will be financed through the Nirbhaya Fund, which was established to support initiatives aimed at improving the safety and security of women.
Government Targets 850 Fast Track Special Courts
- Under the extended scheme, the government plans to increase the number of operational Fast Track Special Courts from the existing 779 to 850.
- These courts will be established across participating States and Union Territories, with additional districts identified based on the pendency of rape and POCSO cases.
- The proposed expansion is expected to improve access to specialised judicial facilities and accelerate the disposal of pending cases.
Dedicated Staff for Each Fast Track Court
Each Fast Track Special Court will have the following dedicated personnel:
- One dedicated Judicial Officer.
- One Special Public Prosecutor.
- Six support staff members.
This specialised staffing structure is intended to reduce administrative delays, strengthen prosecution and improve the efficiency of court proceedings.
The appointment of dedicated Special Public Prosecutors is particularly important for ensuring focused handling of sensitive sexual offence cases.
Major Objectives and Benefits of the FTSC Scheme
The continuation of the Fast Track Special Courts Scheme is expected to deliver several important benefits.
1. Speedy Justice for Victims
The primary objective is to ensure faster trials in cases involving rape and sexual offences against children.
2. Reduction in Judicial Pendency
Dedicated courts will help reduce the backlog of pending rape and POCSO cases and improve the overall efficiency of the judicial system.
3. Protection of Women and Children
The scheme prioritises vulnerable victims by providing specialised judicial infrastructure and dedicated legal support.
4. Child-Friendly Court Environment
The scheme encourages the establishment of Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centres (VWDCs) and child-friendly court spaces.
These facilities aim to allow children and vulnerable witnesses to provide testimony in a safer and more supportive environment, reducing the possibility of further psychological distress.
5. Strengthening the Criminal Justice System
The scheme will strengthen the institutional capacity of the judiciary through dedicated personnel, improved monitoring and better coordination between government departments and judicial authorities.
What is the Nirbhaya Fund?
- The Nirbhaya Fund is a dedicated fund established by the Government of India in 2013 following the December 2012 Delhi gang rape case.
- It supports initiatives aimed at improving the safety, security and protection of women.
- The fund finances various projects and schemes related to women’s safety, including initiatives for emergency response systems, infrastructure development and institutional support.
- Under the extended Fast Track Special Courts Scheme, the Central Government’s contribution of ₹2,353.15 crore will be financed through the Nirbhaya Fund.
Implementation and Monitoring Mechanism
The Department of Justice will implement the scheme in coordination with participating State Governments and Union Territory Administrations.
The government will monitor the functioning and performance of Fast Track Special Courts through:
- FTSC Dashboard.
- Periodic progress reports.
- Expenditure statements submitted by States and UTs.
- Consultations with High Courts.
- Review meetings with State Governments and relevant stakeholders.
The performance assessment will focus on improving case disposal rates, reducing pendency and ensuring time-bound trials.
Fast Track Special Courts Scheme: Important Achievements
Since its launch in October 2019, the scheme has contributed to strengthening the judicial response to sexual offences.
According to the government’s latest reported figures accompanying the Cabinet approval:
- The scheme has been operational since October 2, 2019.
- It covers 29 participating States and Union Territories.
- A total of 779 FTSCs, including 399 exclusive POCSO Courts, were functional.
- These courts had collectively disposed of 4,02,457 cases.
- The extended scheme proposes increasing the number of courts to 850.
The continuation of the scheme is expected to expand specialised judicial infrastructure and improve access to timely justice.
Agniveers Get 2-Year Service Extension: Cabinet Approves Major Change in Agnipath Scheme