The Union Cabinet on Wednesday (November 4, 2026) approved a five-year extension of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), including exclusive POCSO courts, from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2031.
The scheme, operational since October 10, 2019, has undergone successive extensions to ensure expeditious disposal of cases related to rape and offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. It was initially launched for one year and was subsequently extended up to March 31, 2026.
The continuation of the Scheme is expected to expedite trials, reduce the backlog of rape and POCSO cases, and encourage the establishment of Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centres (VWDCs) and child-friendly court spaces to facilitate victim testimonies without causing further distress, while prioritising cases involving vulnerable groups like women and children, an official statement said.
