IndiaPosted at: Nov 4 2026 5:00PM


Cabinet extends fast track courts for rape, child sexual abuse trials till 2031; target raised to 850

New Delhi, Nov 4 (UNI) The union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a five-year extension of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), dedicated to the speedy trial of rape cases and sexual offences against children, including those registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. The scheme, involving a total financial outlay of Rs 3,788.04 crore, will continue until March 31, 2031, with the government planning to increase the number of operational courts from 779 to 850.
The decision is aimed at accelerating trials of sexual offences against women and children, reducing the substantial backlog of pending cases and strengthening the specialised judicial mechanism for dealing with such crimes.
Announcing the Cabinet decision, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the extended scheme would operate from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2031. The total expenditure will comprise a central share of Rs 2,353.15 crore and a contribution of Rs 1,434.89 crore from State governments and union Territory administrations. The Centre's share will be met from the Nirbhaya Fund.
The proposed expansion will take the number of Fast Track Special Courts to 850 across participating States and union Territories. Additional courts will be established in districts identified on the basis of the pendency of rape cases and offences under the POCSO Act. These are specialised courts and will not deal with general criminal cases.
Each court will have a dedicated judicial officer, a Special Public Prosecutor and six support staff to facilitate the speedy disposal of cases. The arrangement is intended to strengthen judicial capacity and ensure that cases involving sexual violence against women and children receive priority attention.
The scheme covers rape cases as well as sexual offences against children, including penetrative and aggravated penetrative sexual assault, sexual assault and sexual harassment covered under the POCSO Act. Exclusive POCSO courts will specifically handle cases involving sexual offences against minors.
The government expects the expansion to accelerate trials, reduce the backlog and provide a victim-centric and child-friendly judicial environment. The programme also encourages the establishment of Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centres and child-friendly court facilities so that survivors, particularly children, can depose in a safe and supportive atmosphere without being subjected to additional trauma.
The Department of Justice will implement the scheme in coordination with State governments and union Territory administrations. Its performance will be monitored through the Fast Track Special Courts Dashboard, periodic progress reports, expenditure statements and consultations with High Courts and State governments. The monitoring mechanism will track case disposal rates, identify implementation bottlenecks and assess whether the additional judicial infrastructure is translating into time-bound trials.
According to the government, 29 States and union Territories are currently participating in the scheme, with 779 functional Fast Track Special Courts, including 399 exclusive POCSO courts. Since its launch, these courts have disposed of 4,02,457 cases.
Launched on October 2, 2019, the scheme followed the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018, and the Supreme Court's directions of July 25, 2019, in a suo motu writ petition concerning the trial of offences under the POCSO Act. The apex court had directed the establishment of exclusive Special Courts in districts having more than 100 pending POCSO cases.
Initially introduced for one year, the scheme was subsequently extended to ensure continuity of specialised courts for the speedy disposal of rape and child sexual abuse cases. The latest Cabinet approval provides a further five-year extension, taking the programme up to March 31, 2031.
The extension comes against the backdrop of persistent concerns over delays in the criminal justice system, particularly in cases involving sexual violence and offences against children. Although dedicated fast-track courts are intended to expedite proceedings, their effectiveness ultimately depends on adequate staffing, regular functioning, timely investigation, effective prosecution and the availability of supporting infrastructure.
By expanding the network and continuing dedicated judicial facilities, the government hopes to strengthen the prosecution of sexual offences and ensure that survivors of rape and child abuse do not have to wait indefinitely for justice. UNI SKA AAB
Tags: #Cabinet extends fast track courts for rape# child sexual abuse trials till 2031; target raised to 850
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