Cost audit appointment approval requires companies to seek prior electronic approval and auditors to notify government within specified periods. Rule 3 requires companies ordered to undergo a cost audit to seek prior approval from the Central Government for appointment of the cost auditor by electronic filing in the prescribed form with the prescribed fee and enclosures within the commencement period of each financial year, and requires appointed cost auditors to notify the Central Government electronically in the prescribed form with requisite enclosures within the stipulated notification period; both companies and auditors must follow the Ministry circular procedure referenced in the rule.