Digital Signature Certificates or so-called DSC are being adopted in many government agencies and departments. Now it is a statutory requirement in various applications. DSC is a secured digital key that can only be issued by certified authorities.
The Purpose of the Digital Signature Certificate is to validate and certify the Identity of a person holding the DSC. It uses public-key encryption to create the signature. A digital signature certificate (DSC) contains the information of the user. This information includes Name, Country, Pin Code, email address, date of issue, and name of the certifying authority.
There are two classes of DSC. One must apply for one of these classes depending on the need.
- Class 2 DSC: Class 2 DSC are issued to Directors of a company/ higher authorities for the purpose of e-filings with the registrar of companies (ROC’s). In Class 2 DSC the identity of a person is verified against a trusted, pre-verified database. However, from 01.01.2021, the Controller of Certifying Authority has instructed to discontinue Class 2 Certificates and Class 3 Certificates will be issued in place of Class 2 Certificates.
- Class 3 DSC: These certificates are used in online participation/bidding in e-auctions and online tenders anywhere in India. This is the highest level where the person needs to present himself or herself in front of a Registration Authority (RA) and prove his/ her identity.
Class 3 DSC is mandatory for all the directors/Partner in a Private limited company or LLP.
Benefits of Digital Signature Certificate:
- Reduced Cost: Using a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) eliminates the need for printing, signing, and scanning documents. This saves costs associated with paper, ink, printing equipment, and courier services.
- Time-Saving: With a DSC, documents can be signed digitally without the need for physical presence. This saves time and allows for quick and efficient signing of electronic documents and PDFs.
- Data Integrity: Digital signatures ensure the integrity of documents. Once signed, the documents cannot be altered or edited without detection, providing assurance that the data remains secure and tamper-proof.
- Authenticity of the Document: Documents signed with a digital signature provide assurance to the recipient about the authenticity of the signer. This builds trust and confidence, allowing recipients to take necessary actions based on the validity of the signed documents without concerns about forgery.
Please note that these are general benefits of using a Digital Signature Certificate, and the specific advantages may vary depending on the context and requirements of digital signing.
Checklist/Requirements for KYC Documentation:
- PAN Card
- Aadhaar Card
- Valid Email ID
- Mobile Number
- MOA & AOA (in case of a Company)
- Recent Passport-sized Photograph
How to Obtain a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)?
Step 1: Share the required documents and information
Step 2: Application for DSC with certifying authority
Step 3: Verification of the applicant
Step 4: Issuing the DSC
Key Deliverables
- Digital Signature Certificate
What do you want to know?
A licensed Certifying Authority (CA) issues the digital signature. Certifying Authority (CA) means a person who has been granted a license to issue a digital signature certificate under Section 24 of the Indian IT-Act 2000.
No, DIN is not required to apply for Digital Signature Certificate.
Generally, a DSC can be issued within a day. However, this process completely depends on the documents provided by the user and its authenticity.
The Certifying Authorities are authorized to issue a Digital Signature Certificate with a validity of one or two years.
Yes, Digital Signature Certificate can be modified.
Yes. An individual can hold a separate digital signature for personal and professional purposes. As far as holding separate certificates for authorizing varied documents is concerned. An individual can apply for a Class 3 certificate and use it for all documents, as it is the highest level and most secure.