Published Jul 24, 2026 | 4:25 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 24, 2026 | 4:25 PM
The special courts were established under a Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched in October 2019.
Synopsis: Pending cases before Fast Track Special Courts trying rape and POCSO cases rose to 2,45,579 at the end of 2025 as fresh cases continued to surge while disposals came to a crawl, according to data tabled in the Lok Sabha by the Union Law and Justice Ministry. Despite 775 courts being operational across 29 States and Union Territories and the Centre releasing ₹1,259.51 crore under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme since 2019, the backlog has continued to grow, prompting a second extension of the scheme until September 2026.
Pending cases before Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) trying rape and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) cases—set up to expedite trials, reduce backlogs and provide victims of sexual offences with speedier access to justice—climbed to 2,45,579 at the end of 2025, as fresh cases continued to surge while disposals slowed to a crawl, according to data tabled in the Lok Sabha by the Union Law and Justice Ministry.
A total of 1,43,936 cases were instituted before FTSCs in 2025, up from 88,902 in 2024 and 81,471 in 2023. Disposals dropped to 66,500 in 2025 from 85,595 the previous year and 76,319 in 2023, leaving 2,45,579 cases pending at the end of the year, up from 2,04,122 at the end of 2024.
The figures were provided by Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal in a written statement responding to a starred question in the Lok Sabha on Friday, 24 July.
The special courts were established under a Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched in October 2019, pursuant to directions issued by the Supreme Court in a Suo Motu Writ Petition.
In its orders, the Court directed that every district with more than 100 pending POCSO cases should have a dedicated POCSO court, investigations should ordinarily be completed within the prescribed statutory timelines, States should strengthen forensic laboratories and ensure timely forensic reports, implement victim compensation schemes effectively, and High Courts should regularly monitor the progress and timely disposal of POCSO cases.
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The Union Law and Justice Ministry said 775 Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), including 398 exclusive POCSO courts, were operational across 29 States and Union Territories as of 30 April 2026, against the scheme’s target of establishing 790 courts.
Uttar Pradesh has the largest number of FTSCs, with 218 courts, including 74 exclusive POCSO courts. It is followed by Madhya Pradesh (67), Kerala (55), Bihar (54), Rajasthan (45) and Odisha (44). Jharkhand has no functional FTSC after deciding to exit the scheme in July 2025.
Among the southern States, Kerala has the highest number of functional FTSCs at 55, including 14 exclusive POCSO courts. It is followed by Telangana with 36 FTSCs, none of which are exclusive POCSO courts, Karnataka with 30 FTSCs, including 16 exclusive POCSO courts, Tamil Nadu with 20 FTSCs, all of them exclusive POCSO courts, and Andhra Pradesh with 16 FTSCs, all functioning as exclusive POCSO courts.
In a statement issued on 11 December 2025, the Union government said inputs received from the High Courts indicated that FTSCs were disposing of rape and POCSO cases at a significantly faster rate than regular courts.
It said the average disposal rate in regular courts was estimated at 3.26 cases per court per month, compared with 9.51 cases per court per month in FTSCs, adding that this reflected greater efficiency in the disposal of such cases.
Yet, the Centrally Sponsored Scheme has been extended twice and is currently in force until 30 September 2026, to address rising backlogs.
The scheme is funded through the Nirbhaya Fund, with the Centre and States sharing expenditure in the ratio of 60:40 for general category States and 90:10 for the north-eastern and Himalayan States.
The Nirbhaya Fund is a non-lapsable corpus administered by the Department of Economic Affairs under the Union Finance Ministry. It was created after the 16 December 2012 Delhi gang rape to finance projects aimed at improving the safety and security of women.
According to the Union Law and Justice Ministry, the Centre has released ₹1,259.51 crore to States and Union Territories since the scheme’s inception to ensure the continued functioning of the courts.
Central assistance covers the salaries of one judicial officer and seven support staff for each FTSC, besides a flexi grant for day-to-day expenditure. Funds are released on a reimbursement basis, depending on the number of functional courts in each State or Union Territory.
The Ministry said ₹200 crore was released as the Centre’s share under the FTSC scheme in each of the last three financial years.
In 2025-26, Kerala received the highest central allocation in the country at ₹26.28 crore, followed by Odisha (₹22.77 crore), Bihar (₹22.16 crore), Madhya Pradesh (₹21.33 crore) and Rajasthan (₹19.44 crore).
Among the other southern States, Karnataka received ₹8.03 crore, Tamil Nadu ₹7.32 crore, Maharashtra ₹2.08 crore and Telangana ₹1.84 crore, while Andhra Pradesh did not receive any central release during the three-year period covered by the statement.
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The Union Law and Justice Ministry said it has stepped up monitoring of Fast Track Special Courts through regular review meetings with States, Union Territories and High Courts held via video conferencing.
It added that the Union Law Minister has written to Chief Ministers and Chief Justices of High Courts, urging timely action and strict compliance with statutory timelines under the POCSO Act and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
The Ministry said the recruitment of judicial officers and court staff in district and subordinate courts, including FTSCs, falls within the jurisdiction of State and Union Territory governments in consultation with the respective High Courts.
It also said the primary responsibility for developing court infrastructure rests with the States and Union Territories, while the Centre supplements their resources through a separate Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
(With inputs from Subash Chandra Bose)
