The repeated 'temporary extension' of centrally sponsored justice-delivery schemes reflects deeper federal coordination challenges. Critically analyse in the context of FTSCs.

Q. The repeated 'temporary extension' of centrally sponsored justice-delivery schemes reflects deeper federal coordination challenges. Critically analyse in the context of FTSCs. (15 marks, 250 words)

Launched in October 2019 under the Nirbhaya Fund, the Fast Track Special Courts (FTSC) Scheme targets time-bound trial of rape and POCSO cases. Its third extension—only "temporarily" till 30 September 2026 [1]—raises whether such stopgaps expose Centre-State coordination gaps.

How extensions reflect federal coordination challenges - As a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, FTSCs need States to identify locations, provide judges, staff and courtrooms; the Centre funds only its share (₹1,207.24 cr of ₹1,952.23 cr) [2]. Delivery hinges on State/High Court action. - Uneven uptake: 775 of the 790 target courts functional, but only in 29 States/UTs—laggard States drag the aggregate [1]. - Recurring short extensions substitute for firm State commitments, reflecting a cost-sharing (State share ₹744.99 cr) and infrastructure-readiness bottleneck [2].

But the diagnosis is only partly federal - Extensions also flow from procedural inertia—Cabinet re-approval cycles and fund-release timelines under the Nirbhaya Fund, not merely State default. - FTSCs have delivered: 3,34,213 cases disposed since inception, disposal far above regular courts [3][4]. Continuation signals success, not failure. - Vacancies, prosecutors and forensic delays are systemic judicial-capacity issues, transcending Centre-State friction.

Thus, repeated extensions reflect genuine cooperative-federalism frictions in a concurrent-list domain, yet also administrative caution and structural judicial constraints. The way forward lies in outcome-linked, multi-year commitments, a permanent scheme with State MoUs, and pooling FTSCs into the National Mission for Justice Delivery—aligning speedy trial (Article 21) with SDG-16 on access to justice.

(~250 words)

Sources: 1. Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), PIB — temporary extension to 30.09.2026; 775 functional FTSCs incl. 398 e-POCSO in 29 States/UTs 2. Cabinet approves continuation of CSS for FTSCs for three years, PIB — CSS status, ₹1,952.23 cr outlay, ₹1,207.24 cr Central / ₹744.99 cr State share, 790 target 3. Scheme of Fast Track Special Courts, PIB — Nirbhaya Fund basis, legislative genesis 4. Swift Justice, Safer Society: Impact of FTSCs, PIB — cumulative disposal and higher disposal rate vs regular courts