UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — 775 Fast Track Special Courts Functional Across 29 States/UTs; Centre Extends FTSC Scheme Till September 2026

Q1. Under the Fast Track Special Courts scheme, the Central share released for each court covers the salary of one Judicial Officer along with how many support staff?

  • A. Five
  • B. Seven
  • C. Nine
  • D. Eleven

Q2. With reference to the Fast Track Special Courts (FTSC) scheme, consider the following statements: 1. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched in October 2019. 2. It was introduced following the enactment of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013. 3. It is meant for the expeditious trial of rape cases and offences under the POCSO Act, 2012. 4. Its Central share is met from the Nirbhaya Fund. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched in October 2019.
  2. It was introduced following the enactment of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013.
  3. It is meant for the expeditious trial of rape cases and offences under the POCSO Act, 2012.
  4. Its Central share is met from the Nirbhaya Fund.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 3 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q3. The number of Fast Track Special Courts reported as 'functional' at a given date is compiled on the basis of information furnished by which of the following?

  • A. The National Crime Records Bureau
  • B. The National Judicial Data Grid
  • C. The respective High Courts
  • D. The Department of Justice's own field audits

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the status of the Fast Track Special Courts scheme: 1. As of 30 April 2026, 775 FTSCs were functional against a sanctioned target of 790. 2. Of the functional courts, 398 were exclusive e-POCSO courts. 3. The sanctioned target of 790 courts was fixed at the scheme's original launch in October 2019. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. As of 30 April 2026, 775 FTSCs were functional against a sanctioned target of 790.
  2. Of the functional courts, 398 were exclusive e-POCSO courts.
  3. The sanctioned target of 790 courts was fixed at the scheme's original launch in October 2019.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. The Fast Track Special Courts scheme is implemented, and its extensions notified, by which of the following Union ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Women and Child Development
  • B. Ministry of Home Affairs
  • C. Ministry of Law and Justice
  • D. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

Q6. Consider the following statements regarding the extension of the Fast Track Special Courts scheme: 1. The scheme has been extended twice since its launch in 2019. 2. Its latest temporary extension is valid up to 30 September 2026. 3. The extension preceding the current one had lapsed on 31 December 2025. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The scheme has been extended twice since its launch in 2019.
  2. Its latest temporary extension is valid up to 30 September 2026.
  3. The extension preceding the current one had lapsed on 31 December 2025.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q7. Which Union ministry is responsible for the administration of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 as the nodal child-protection ministry?

  • A. Ministry of Law and Justice
  • B. Ministry of Women and Child Development
  • C. Ministry of Home Affairs
  • D. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Q8. Consider the following statements regarding the POCSO Act, 2012 and its 2019 amendment: 1. The child's evidence is to be recorded within thirty days of the Special Court taking cognizance of the offence. 2. The Special Court shall, as far as possible, complete the trial within one year from the date of taking cognizance. 3. The 2019 amendment made the death penalty the mandatory punishment for every case of aggravated penetrative sexual assault on a child. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The child's evidence is to be recorded within thirty days of the Special Court taking cognizance of the offence.
  2. The Special Court shall, as far as possible, complete the trial within one year from the date of taking cognizance.
  3. The 2019 amendment made the death penalty the mandatory punishment for every case of aggravated penetrative sexual assault on a child.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1 and 2 only

Q9. What is the total financial outlay sanctioned for the Fast Track Special Courts scheme under its latest extension?

  • A. ₹1207.24 crore
  • B. ₹1755.47 crore
  • C. ₹1952.23 crore
  • D. ₹2952.23 crore

Q10. The Nirbhaya Fund, from which the FTSC scheme draws its Central share, is administered as a non-lapsable corpus by which of the following?

  • A. The Ministry of Women and Child Development
  • B. The Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice
  • C. The Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance
  • D. The Ministry of Home Affairs

Q11. In the context of the FTSC scheme, an 'exclusive POCSO court' is best defined as a Fast Track Special Court that:

  • A. conducts all its proceedings entirely through video-conferencing and electronic evidence
  • B. tries only offences under the POCSO Act, and not rape cases lying outside that Act
  • C. exclusively adjudicates cyber and electronically-facilitated offences committed against children
  • D. functions only in districts specifically selected for e-governance and digital-court pilots

Q12. As a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, the FTSC scheme's funding pattern for general-category States is best characterised by which of the following?

  • A. The State government bears the entire cost of the courts
  • B. The Union government bears 100% of the cost, as it is a central scheme
  • C. The State government bears 60% and the Union government 40% of the cost
  • D. The Union government bears 60% of the cost, with the balance borne by the State