Union Cabinet Extends Fast Track Special Courts Scheme with ₹3,788.04 Crore Outlay Until March 2031

Key facts

• The Union Cabinet on November 4, 2026 approved a five-year extension of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), including exclusive POCSO courts, from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2031.
• The extended scheme has a total financial outlay of ₹3,788.04 crore, comprising a Central share of ₹2,353.15 crore from the Nirbhaya Fund and a State/Union Territory share of ₹1,434.89 crore.
• The FTSC scheme has been operational since October 10, 2019 and was initially launched for one year, with extensions up to March 31, 2026.
• There are currently 779 functional FTSCs across the country, including 399 exclusive POCSO courts, which have disposed of 4,02,457 cases since the scheme's inception.
• Under the extended scheme, the government plans to operationalise 850 FTSCs, including exclusive POCSO courts, across participating States and Union Territories based on case pendency data.
• Each FTSC has a dedicated Judicial Officer, a Special Public Prosecutor and six support staff to expedite disposal of rape and POCSO Act, 2012 cases.
• The scheme's continuation is expected to encourage establishment of Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centres (VWDCs) and child-friendly court spaces to facilitate victim testimonies.