Category: News
The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), including exclusive POCSO Courts, for five more years — from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031. The decision was taken on 4 November 2026 and announced by Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
The scheme has a total financial outlay of ₹3,788.04 crore. The Centre will contribute ₹2,353.15 crore from the Nirbhaya Fund, and States and Union Territories will contribute ₹1,434.89 crore.
More courts, more districts
The number of Fast Track Special Courts will rise from 779 at present — including 399 exclusive POCSO courts — to 850. The additional courts will go to districts chosen on the basis of pendency of rape and POCSO cases. The scheme runs in 29 participating States and Union Territories.
The courts deal with pending cases of rape and offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. The government says 4,02,457 cases have been disposed of since the scheme began.
Background
The scheme was launched on 2 October 2019 under the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018, and in compliance with the Supreme Court’s directions of 25 July 2019 in Suo Motu Writ (Criminal) No. 1/2019. It was initially launched for one year and was later extended up to 31 March 2026; the present approval extends it for a further five years.
The Department of Justice will monitor the scheme through the FTSC Dashboard, progress reports and expenditure statements, in consultation with High Courts and state governments.
Approving more courts is not the same as delivering faster justice — disposal depends on how the courts actually function. No state-wise allocation of the new courts has been announced beyond the 850 total.
Sources: Press Information Bureau, 4 November 2026 (PRID 2332498); YourStory, 5 November 2026; IANS.
