Section 296 requires the Central Government to lay before each House of Parliament every rule made under the Act, the rules of procedure framed by the Settlement Commission under s. 245F(7), the Authority for Advance Rulings under s. 245V and the Appellate Tribunal under s. 255(5), every notification issued before 1 June 2007 under s. 10(23C)(iv), and every notification under s. 139(1C), the third proviso to s. 153A(1) or the second proviso to s. 153C(1).
Each is laid as soon as may be after it is made or issued, while Parliament is in session, for a total of thirty days, in one session or in two or more successive sessions.
Operative consequences
If, before the expiry of the session immediately following, both Houses agree to modify the rule or notification, it has effect only in the modified form.
If both Houses agree that it should not be made or issued, it is of no effect from then on.
Any modification or annulment is without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under the rule or notification.
Status
Section 296 is operative for assessment year 2026-27. It is not time-limited. The Finance Act, 2026 did not amend this section.
The 1961 Act governs assessment year 2026-27 and earlier; the Income-tax Act, 2025 governs tax year 2026-27 onwards. For this subject the 2025 Act provision is s. 534.
Function in the statutory architecture
Section 296 requires the Central Government to lay before each House of Parliament every rule made under the Act, the rules of procedure framed by the Settlement Commission under s. 245F(7), the Authority for Advance Rulings under s. 245V and the Appellate Tribunal under s. 255(5), every notification issued before 1 June 2007 under s. 10(23C)(iv), and every notification under s. 139(1C), the third proviso to s. 153A(1) or the second proviso to s. 153C(1).
Each is laid as soon as may be after it is made or issued, while Parliament is in session, for a total of thirty days, in one session or in two or more successive sessions.
Operative consequences
Status
Section 296 is operative for assessment year 2026-27. It is not time-limited. The Finance Act, 2026 did not amend this section.
The 1961 Act governs assessment year 2026-27 and earlier; the Income-tax Act, 2025 governs tax year 2026-27 onwards. For this subject the 2025 Act provision is s. 534.