HSNS Rules · Rule 35
Rule 35 — Utilisation of cess
Checked 27 Jul 2026Current rule package
Rule in 2 Minutes
Rule 35 implements the HSNS Cess Act within the 2026 machine/process-based levy framework.
Current official text / amendment package
35. Utilisation of cess.—(1) The cess, including any interest or penalty, shall be credited to the Consolidated Fund of India and be utilised for the purpose as provided in section 7 of the Act after due appropriation authorised by the Parliament.
(2) The cess, credited to the Consolidated Fund of India under sub-rule (1), shall be transferred to a fund to be called the Health Security se National Security Cess Fund after obtaining appropriation from the Parliament.
(4) The activities, schemes and programmes to be financed from the said Fund shall encompass those related to public health and national security of India.
(5) The identification of the activities, schemes and programmes and the inter-se allocations of the cess, including any interest or penalty, for the said designated purposes shall be decided by Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance.
(6) The transfer of the amount to the said Fund, the debit of the Fund, and the maintenance of the ledger of the Fund shall be as per the accounting procedure formulated by the Chief Controller of Accounts (Finance).
(7) The accounts of the Fund maintained by the Central Government shall be subject to audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
Amendment control: Rule 35 was inserted by 02/2026-HSNS Cess and further amended by 03/2026-HSNS Cess on 20 May 2026; sub-rule (3) is omitted and sub-rules (5)–(6) are modified.
Practical implementation
- Identify the enabling HSNS Act section and factual trigger.
- Use the prescribed HSNS form/portal workflow where the Rule requires it.
- Retain machine/process, declaration, payment, return or officer evidence relevant to the Rule.
- Check First/Second Amendment Rules for the current wording before using a principal-rule copy.
Practical Q&A
Can Rule 35 be applied without the Act?
No. The Rule operates under section 35 and the relevant enabling provisions of the HSNS Act; the Act controls if there is any inconsistency.