Digital Signature Certificate Overview

What is Digital Signature Certificate?

A Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is a secure digital key that certifies the identity of the holder. It is issued by a Certifying Authority (CA) and is valid across different govt. platforms. It typically contains your identity (name, email, country and your public key). Digital Certificates use Public Key Infrastructure meaning data that has been digitally signed or encrypted by a private key can only be decrypted by its corresponding public key. A Digital Signature is a secure key (USB E-Token) that contains the signature in digital format and is issued for the purpose of validating & verifying a particular person or entity. These tokens are often issued with a validity of 1-2 years and are required to be re-made thereafter.

There are 3 classes of DSC which are issued by the Certifying authority. Out of these, Class 3 DSCs are most widely used due to their applicability in various govt. forms. The three classes of DSC are summarized below:

• Class 1 Class 1 certificates are issued to individuals/private subscribers. These certificates will confirm that user's name (or alias) and E-mail address form an unambiguous subject within the Certifying Authorities database. Due to the nature and limited data they authenticate, the usage of this class is limited. These are no longer accepted at various Govt. websites. Accordingly, they are generally not used these days.
• Class 2 Class 2 Digital Signature (DSC) are generally issued to individuals and organizations for both Indian and foreign applicant. The main function of this certificate is to authenticate the details of the signer. It re-affirms the already mentioned data of the user. These certificates will confirm that the information in the application provided by the subscriber does not conflict with the information in well-recognized consumer databases like PAN or Aadhar. These are now discontinued. Any new DSC made post January 1, 2021 would only be Class 3 DSC. However, any Class 2 DSC made prior to January 1, 2021, would continue to be valid until there expiry.
• Class 3 Class 3 digital signature certificate, according to IVG guideline, is more secure in comparison to class 2 certificate, this certificate provides the highest level of safety as compared to the other classes mentioned above. As per the CAA’s new regulation, only the Class 3 DSC will be available for any sort of paperless signature utilization in India. It is generally used in the compliances of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) & Registrar of Companies (ROC), Income Tax filing, Business Incorporation, GST registration and return, Business License Registration, e-tendering / e-bidding, Trademark e-filing, DGFT Compliances, etc.

Process/steps for Digital Signature Certificate

In recent times, the application for Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) has been completely digitized. Thereby, removing any hard copy flow of documents like signing of application form, self attestation of documents etc. This has resulted in faster processing of application. The new process of paperless DSC is explained below in detail.

Paperless DSC-

Under this method the manual form filling can be avoided and the complete process is online for ease of the applicant. Various methods under Paperless DSC are covered below. The Aadhar based DSC is the fastest process for getting a new DSC.

• Aadhar-based e-KYC Verification DSC
  Aadhaar based Paperless DSC is an easy and fastest way to make DSC. The whole process of Paperless DSC will save your time, money, efforts and it is totally authenticated. Aadhaar Paperless DSC is based on "Aadhaar Paperless Offline e-KYC".
• PAN-based e-KYC Verification DSC
  By opting for Paperless PAN-based E-KYC DSC, the applicant is able to significantly reduce costs. The greatest advantage of this Pan-based E-KYC is that one can apply for this type of DSC anytime or anywhere, giving the applicant the gift of global convenience.

TThe following documents would be required to apply for DSC:

1. Passport Size Photograph
2. PAN Card
3. Any one of the following:
   • Aadhaar (eKYC Service)
   • Telephone Bill
   • Electricity Bill
   • Water Bill
   • Gas connection
   • Bank Statements signed by the bank
   • Service Tax/VAT Tax/Sales Tax registration certificate.
   • Driving License (DL)/ Registration certificate (RC)
   • Voter ID Card
   • Passport
   • Property Tax/ Corporation/ Municipal Corporation Receipt

Benefits Of DSC

• Time Saving as it allows documents to be signed remotely
• Cost Saving as it reduces need for document printing and courier
• Security and encryption of documents
• Efficiency as it allows people to get documents authenticated at a click of a button
• Reduces carbon foot print to digitization of the process

DSC are mandatory as an authenticated signature tool on various govt. platforms. Some of the uses of DSC are:

1. Company Incorporation
2. Director Identification Number Application
3. MCA Compliances
4. Income Tax filing and compliances
5. TDS filing and compliances
6. GST filing and compliances
7. Import Export related filings
8. E- Tenders
9. Provident Fund and ESI related Filings and compliances