The Finance Ministry has issued new guidelines for pan masala manufacturers, requiring them to register under the health and national security cess law starting February 1. Manufacturers with multiple factories need separate registrations for each. Applications must be filed on the ACES portal within seven days of registration, detailing machine parameters. Tax officers will conduct physical verification within 90 days. Registration certificates will be effective from February 1, 2026, with applications deemed approved if no action is taken within seven working days.