Special Courts — Prelims Strategy

Prelims Strategy

For Prelims preparation on Special Courts, focus on memorizing specific provisions: Section 14 (establishment), Section 15 (Special Public Prosecutor - 7 years minimum experience), Section 15A (compensation), and key timelines (60 days investigation, 2 years trial completion).

Remember the exclusive jurisdiction concept - regular courts cannot try SC/ST Act cases. Master the constitutional basis: Articles 14, 15, 17, and 46. Know the amendment years and their key provisions: 2015 (Exclusive Special Courts, compensation, timelines) and 2018 (restoration after Mahajan judgment).

Practice elimination techniques by understanding common traps: confusing concurrent with exclusive jurisdiction, mixing up experience requirements (7 years for prosecutors, not judges), and timeline confusions.

Create a fact sheet with numbers: minimum one Special Court per district, High Court Chief Justice concurrence required, compensation can be granted immediately upon FIR registration. Recent current affairs connections are crucial - know about digitization initiatives, Supreme Court observations on implementation, and state-wise performance variations.