Central Government approves 850 fast-track courts for rape and child abuse cases

According to a News18 report, the central government has taken a major step to expedite the justice delivery process in crimes against women and children in the country. Following a cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the decision to establish 850 new fast-track courts for the speedy disposal of rape and child abuse cases. This decision was announced during the cabinet briefing held on Wednesday, November 4.

According to Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the primary objective of these proposed courts is to ensure speedy hearing and disposal of sexual offenses, particularly cases involving women and children. This announcement has been made amid continuous concerns over pending cases of rape and under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in the country. This dedicated judicial system is being set up to ensure that justice is not delayed in these sensitive cases and that legal proceedings become faster.

This new announcement by the central government takes forward the ongoing campaign of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) across the country. Earlier, following the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act of 2018 and Supreme Court guidelines, a centrally sponsored scheme was launched in October 2019. The purpose of this scheme is the time-bound disposal of pending cases under the POCSO Act, 2012 and rape.

According to ministry statistics, a total of 775 fast track special courts, including 398 exclusive POCSO courts, were operational across 29 states and union territories in the country as of April 30, 2026. This scheme was earlier extended on a temporary basis until September 30, 2026. However, the huge backlog of cases and delays in judicial proceedings remain major challenges, to address which the approval for these 850 new courts has been granted.

Not only fast-track courts, but the 92 GWh grid-scale energy storage scheme to strengthen the clean energy sector was also approved in this meeting. Minister Vaishnaw stated that India has gained global recognition in the clean energy sector. This new grid-scale energy storage scheme will be implemented in collaboration with state governments and its proper distribution will be ensured across the country. This will strengthen the infrastructure for storing renewable energy and integrating it into the electricity grid.

In addition, the cabinet also approved a scheme for processing critical minerals under the Critical Minerals Mission. Minister Vaishnaw explained that this initiative will focus on raw materials obtained through mining as well as recycling, so that they can be converted into a suitable form for manufacturing. This step has been taken to strengthen domestic processing capacities and support the manufacturing ecosystem.

The government has also approved a new scheme with a fund of over ₹4,000 crore for database development. Under this decision taken under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister, emphasis will be laid on preparing reliable databases for various government schemes. The minister stated that special focus under this scheme will be given to areas such as skill development, surveys, and evaluation.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Subrahmanyam announced a major decision regarding Agniveers at this press conference. He stated that the cabinet has approved a provision of an additional two years as a second tenure for those Agniveers who are not selected on a permanent basis after their initial four-year tenure.

Under the current Agnipath recruitment framework, 25 percent of Agniveers are inducted into the military on a permanent basis, while the remaining 75 percent of Agniveers are released after completing four years. According to the CDS, ever since this scheme was launched in 2022, the government has been continuously evaluating the performance of Agniveers and has received positive feedback.

Due to this additional two-year period, the remaining Agniveers will get another opportunity to serve in the armed forces. During this period, they will also receive higher remuneration and additional 'Seva Nidhi' benefits. The CDS further clarified that all Agniveers, subject to prescribed eligibility and selection criteria, will also be provided an opportunity to become regular soldiers in the future.