New Delhi: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a five-year extension of the centrally sponsored scheme for Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), including exclusive POCSO courts, to speed up trials in rape and child sexual abuse cases.
The scheme will continue from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2031, with a total financial outlay of Rs 3,788.04 crore. The Centre will contribute Rs 2,353.15 crore from the Nirbhaya Fund, while states and Union Territories will bear Rs 1,434.89 crore.
The extended scheme provides for increasing the number of functional courts from the current 779 to 850, based on the pendency of rape and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act cases across states and Union Territories.
Each court will have a dedicated judicial officer, a Special Public Prosecutor and six support staff to facilitate faster disposal of pending cases.
The Department of Justice will implement the scheme in coordination with state governments and Union Territory administrations. Its performance will be monitored through a dedicated dashboard, periodic reports and consultations with High Courts.
The scheme also encourages child-friendly court facilities and Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centres to enable victims to testify without additional distress.
Launched on October 2, 2019, the initiative currently operates in 29 states and Union Territories. It has disposed of 4,02,457 cases since its launch.
The government said the extension would strengthen the judicial response to sexual offences, reduce case pendency and ensure timely justice for women and children.
