Cabinet Approves 5-Year Extension of Fast Track Special Courts Scheme Till March 2031

New Delhi: The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, has approved the continuation of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), including exclusive POCSO Courts, for five years from 01.04.2026 to 31.03.2031, for expeditious trial of rape and POCSO Act cases.

The Scheme has a total outlay of Rs. 3,788.04 crore, comprising a Central share of Rs. 2,353.15 crore, funded from the Nirbhaya Fund, and a State/UT share of Rs. 1,434.89 crore.

The number of FTSCs will rise from the current 779 to 850, with additional districts to be identified on the basis of case pendency data. Each court will have a dedicated Judicial Officer, an exclusive Special Public Prosecutor and six support staff. Central assistance will be given to participating States/UTs under the approved funding pattern.

The Scheme encourages Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centres and child-friendly court spaces so that victims can testify without further distress. The Department of Justice will monitor performance through the FTSC Dashboard, periodic progress reports and State expenditure statements, and will consult High Courts and State Governments.

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Launched on 02.10.2019 under the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018, and the Supreme Court’s directions of 25.07.2019 in Suo Motu Writ (Criminal) No. 1/2019, the Scheme now covers 29 States/UTs with 779 functional FTSCs, including 399 exclusive POCSO Courts. Since inception, 4,02,457 cases have been disposed of. The Supreme Court had directed exclusive Special Courts in districts with more than 100 pending POCSO cases. The Scheme was first launched for one year and later extended up to 31.03.2026.