Fast-track courts backlog 2.5 lakh rape, Pocso cases; disposal slow
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal informed Parliament that fast-track special courts have a backlog of 2.5 lakh cases as of December 31, 2025. In 2025, over 1.4 lakh rape and Pocso cases were registered but only 66,500 were disposed of, highlighting the slow pace of justice.
Background
Fast-track special courts were constituted in 2019 to ensure time-bound trials within one year for rape and Pocso Act offences. The scheme has been extended multiple times, with the latest extension valid until March 31, 2026, for 790 courts, and now further extended to September 30, 2026.
Key facts
Backlog of 2.5 lakh rape and Pocso cases as of December 31, 2025.
In 2025, over 1.4 lakh cases registered; only 66,500 disposed of.
Pendency has remained around 2 lakh for the last seven years since 2019.
775 fast-track special courts functional in 29 states/UTs as of April 2026, including 398 exclusive Pocso (e-Pocso) courts.
Centre and states share expenditure in 60:40 ratio covering salary of one judicial officer and seven support staff per court.
Centre released Rs 1,260 crore to states/UTs since inception of the scheme.
Law Minister wrote to CMs and Chief Justices for timely compliance under Pocso Act and BNSS.
States and High Courts responsible for recruiting judges and filling vacancies.
Prelims pointers
- Fast-track special courts: established 2019 for rape and Pocso cases.
- Pocso Act: Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.
- BNSS: Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
- e-Pocso courts: exclusive Pocso courts.
- Centre-state cost sharing: 60:40.
- Total scheme outlay: Rs 1,260 crore released.
- 790 fast-track courts sanctioned; 775 functional.
- Scheme extended to September 30, 2026.
Mains angles
- GS2: Judiciary – issues of pendency, fast-track courts, judicial reforms.
- GS2: Governance – scheme implementation, centre-state coordination.
- GS1: Social Justice – women and child issues, rape and Pocso cases.
- GS2: Polity – role of High Courts and states in judicial appointments.