1. What is Digital Signature Certificate(DSC)
A digital signature is a mathematical scheme for verifying the authenticity of digital messages or documents. A valid digital signature on a message gives a recipient confidence that the message came from a sender known to the recipient
Digital signatures are often used to implement electronic signatures, which include any electronic data that carries the intent of a signature
2. Registered Companies under Certifying Authorities Under CCA (Controller of Certifying Authorities) (Govt of India)
| Licensed CA’s | Class 1 | Class 2 | Class 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safescrypt | |||
| Capricorn | |||
| e-Mudhra | |||
| nCode Solutions | |||
| Vsign | |||
| RISL | |||
| IDSign | |||
| Pantasign | |||
| Xtra Trust | |||
| ProDigiSign | |||
| SignX | |||
| Care4Sign |
3. Legal Framework
Digital signature purchased from the above companies are legally admissible in a Court of Law, as provided under the provisions of IT Act, 2000.
4. Types of Digital Signature
There are 2 types DSC, Signing & Encryption
Signing: Signing DSC is used for Signing the documents/files electronically
Encryption: Encryption DSC are used to secure the confidentiality and privacy of digital communication and data and making it unreadable to unauthorized parties
5. Classes & Usage of DSC
There are 2 types DSC, Signing & Encryption
Class 1 DSC: – It is used for email purpose, this certificate is rarely used or not using in india
Class 2 DSC:- Before 1/1/2021 It was used for IT, GST, MCA, ePF.. and this dsc discontinued from 1/1/2021
Class 3 DSC:- From 1/1/2021, only Class 3 DSC is working
1. Class 3 Sign DSC :- Used for Income tax filing, MCA e-filing & ROC Filing, IEC Registration, GST filing & Registration, ePF filing, Director eKYC, Traces,Trademark and Patent eFiling, Limited Tenders & Company Registration….
2. Class 3 Combo DSC (Sign +Encryption) : All India eTenders Websites, All India eProcurement Websites, ICE Gate, Gem Portal…
3. Class 3 – DGFT DSC : it is used only for dgft portal(dgft.gov.in) only
6. Application Process:
Step 1 :- Enrolment
Step 2 :- Verification( Email & Video)
Step 3 :- Your DSC is ready to download
Documents required for applying for a Digital Signature Certificate in India – Download
7. Security Features
DSC Comes with FIPS Approved Tokens, so it is well secured
8. Validity Period
DSC Validity Comes in 1 Year, 2 Years & 3 Years
9. DSC Processing Methods
Online Paperless
Online OTP
PAN Based
Existing eKYC (Repeated DSC)