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The Union Cabinet approved the extension of the Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS)

14 January 2025

Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) : Under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Union Cabinet has given its nod for extending the Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) from April 1, 2023, until March 31, 2026. The Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) were established in response to the alarming rise in rape cases involving women and underage girls. It is based on the enactment of “The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018,” which advocated for stricter penalties for rape offenders, including capital punishment. Sponsored by the Department of Justice under the Ministry of Law & Justice, the Centrally Sponsored Scheme will oversee the efficient handling of rape cases under the purview of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act). Its primary aim is to ensure timely adjudication of these sensitive matters, promoting swift justice for victims.

Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs)

Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) Vs Normal Court In India -Difference

Aspect	Normal Court	Fast Track Special Court (FTSC)
Purpose	General jurisdiction over diverse legal matters	Specialized focus on expediting trials for specific offenses
Caseload	Diverse cases including civil, criminal, etc.	Prioritizes cases of specific crimes, e.g., sexual offenses
Procedures	Follows standard legal procedures	Adheres to streamlined procedures and strict timelines
Structure	Standard court structure and personnel	May have dedicated judges and staff with specialized skills
Geographical Distribution	Spread across various jurisdictions	Strategically located with accessibility considerations

The difference between a normal court and a Fast Track Special Court (FTSC) in India lies primarily in their purpose, structure, and operational methodology.

Normal Court:

General Jurisdiction: Normal courts in India, including district courts, high courts, and the Supreme Court, have broad jurisdiction over a wide range of civil, criminal, and other legal matters.
Varied Caseload: These courts handle diverse cases, including civil disputes, criminal offenses, family matters, and constitutional issues, among others.
Conventional Procedures: Normal courts follow standard legal procedures and timelines, which may sometimes result in delays due to factors such as case backlog, procedural complexities, and the general workload of the judiciary.
Geographical Distribution: Normal courts are spread across different jurisdictions and regions, serving the legal needs of the populace in their respective areas.

Fast Track Special Court (FTSC):

Specialized Purpose: FTSCs are established with the specific objective of expediting the trial process for certain types of cases, particularly those related to serious offenses like rape and crimes against children.
Focused Caseload: These courts prioritize cases pertaining to specific crimes, such as sexual offenses, and aim to provide swift justice to victims by minimizing delays in trial proceedings.
Streamlined Procedures: FTSCs often adhere to streamlined procedures and strict timelines for case disposal to ensure expeditious resolution.
Specialized Structure: FTSCs may have dedicated judges, prosecutors, and support staff with expertise in handling cases related to the court’s specialized focus area.
Geographical Distribution: FTSCs may be strategically located across the country to ensure accessibility for victims and witnesses, with measures in place to protect their privacy and security.

Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs)

Establishment: The FTSCs, including exclusive POCSO Courts, were initiated by the Department of Justice in October 2019 to expedite the trial process for cases related to sexual offenses.
Court Composition: Each FTSC comprises one Judicial Officer and seven Staff Members.
Scheme Coverage: Out of the 31 eligible States and Union Territories (UTs), 30 have joined the scheme. Puducherry made a special request to join, and one exclusive POCSO Court was operationalized there in May 2023.
Scheme Duration and Extensions:

Initially, the scheme was launched for one year spanning the financial years 2019-20 and 2020-21.
The scheme was extended for two years until March 2023, with a total budgetary outlay of Rs. 1572.86 Cr.
Further extension was granted for three years until March 2026, with a total financial outlay of Rs. 1952.23 Cr.

Funding:

The central share of funding for the scheme comes from the Nirbhaya Fund.
In the financial years 2019-20 to 2022-23, varying amounts were released as the central share to States/UTs.

Operational Status:

As of February 2024, there are 753 FTSCs, including 409 exclusive POCSO Courts, functional in 30 States/UTs.
These courts have disposed of more than 2,29,000 pending cases, highlighting their effectiveness in expediting trial proceedings.

Financial Allocation for F.Y. 2023-24:

A total of Rs. 200.00 Cr. was allocated for this fiscal year, with the entire amount released as the central share for the functioning of FTSCs in States/UTs.

Monitoring and Review:

The Department of Justice has established an online monitoring framework for monthly monitoring of case statistics.
Regular review meetings with the Registrar Generals of High Courts and State functionaries are conducted to ensure the robust implementation of the scheme.

What are Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs)?

FTSCs are specialized courts established to expedite the trial process for cases related to sexual offenses, including rape and crimes against children.

When were FTSCs established, and what was the motivation behind their creation?

FTSCs were launched in October 2019 by the Department of Justice to address the prolonged trials of accused in cases of sexual offenses. The aim was to provide immediate relief to victims and ensure timely justice.

How many States and Union Territories (UTs) have joined the FTSC scheme?

Out of the 31 eligible States and UTs, 30 have joined the FTSC scheme.

What is the duration of the FTSC scheme, and has it been extended?

The scheme was initially launched for one year, spanning the financial years 2019-20 and 2020-21. It has been extended twice: first for two years until March 2023 and then for another three years until March 2026.