Cabinet extends Fast Track Special Courts scheme for rape and POCSO cases to 2031

The Union Cabinet on 4 November 2026 approved continuing the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), including exclusive POCSO Courts, for a further five years, from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031, with a total outlay of Rs.3,788.04 crore split between the Centre (Rs.2,353.15 crore, funded from the Nirbhaya Fund) and participating States and Union Territories (Rs.1,434.89 crore). The Scheme, operational since 2 October 2019, was launched under the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018 and in compliance with the Supreme Court's direction of 25 July 2019 in Suo Motu Writ (Criminal) No. 1/2019, which required exclusive special courts in every district with more than 100 pending cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, for the time-bound trial of rape and POCSO cases. From 29 participating States and Union Territories running 779 FTSCs, including 399 exclusive POCSO courts, that have together disposed of 4,02,457 cases since inception, the Scheme will now expand to 850 FTSCs across additional high-pendency districts.

Each court gets a dedicated judicial officer, a special public prosecutor and six support staff, and the Scheme also encourages Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centres and child-friendly court spaces so victims can testify without further distress. The Department of Justice will monitor implementation through an FTSC Dashboard and periodic reviews with High Courts and State Governments.