RAS question
Consider the following statements about the Health Security and National Security Cess Act 2025:\n1. The Rajya Sabha passed the Bill on December 5, 2025.\n2. Proceeds are ringfenced for public health and national security.\n3. The Act is effective from February 2026.\nWhich of the above statements are correct?
Correct answer: (B) 2 and 3 only.
Under the Health Security se National Security Cess Act, 2025, the proceeds are meant for public health and national security, and the Act came into force on 1 February 2026; the Rajya Sabha record is dated 8 December 2025, not 5 December.
Explanation
Statements 2 and 3 are correct because the cess was framed as a dedicated revenue stream for public health and national security, and the Department of Revenue notification brought the Act into force on 1 February 2026. Statement 1 is the trap. The Lok Sabha passed the Bill on 5 December 2025, while the Rajya Sabha date was 8 December 2025. The Rajya Sabha synopsis for 8 December shows the Health Security se National Security Cess Bill, 2025 being taken up and returned that day. So the date in statement 1 is attached to the wrong House, while the use of proceeds and commencement date match the official record.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Option A includes statement 1, but 5 December 2025 was the Lok Sabha date, not the Rajya Sabha date.
- (C) Option C combines the correct commencement statement with the wrong Rajya Sabha date and omits the correctly stated purpose of the proceeds.
- (D) Option D treats all three statements as correct, although statement 1 misidentifies the House that acted on 5 December 2025.
Concept
This tests how Finance Bills, cesses and commencement notifications are tracked through Parliament and the executive. RAS often repeats such questions because governance items turn on precise dates, institutional roles and the earmarked purpose of a levy.