A Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is a cryptographically secure key issued by certifying authorities (CAs) to validate and verify the identity of the person who holds this certificate. DSCs are predominantly issued and utilized when businesses need to digitally sign documents online, securely authenticate the Signature, and validate the signed copy.
DSC is a statutory requirement for submitting various forms to the Government of India. DSC uses public-key encryption for the creation of a signature. A digital signature certificate will be embedded in electronic documents, emails, and other digitally transmitted documents. These signatures provide and enhance security using encryption technology.
The Controller of Certifying Authority issues Digital Signature Certificate in India. The Office of the Controller of Certification Agencies (CCA) has given authority to 8 Certification Agencies to give DSCs to persons seeking the same. EMudhra is one of the Certifying Authorities that issue the Digital Signature Certificate in India.
iTaxFair can help you obtain an eMudhra Class 3 Digital Signature certificate in India with a validity of 2 years and a secure USB token. No need to submit your documents manually or through a courier because the application process will be completely online. All the Digital Signatures are provided with a FIPS-compliant ePass USB token to protect the Signature until the end of validity.
Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate
Class 3 DSC is the most secure certificate with a signature and encryption certificate. IndiaFilings will help you get the Class 3 DSC with an encryption certificate and a USB token; it can use for encryption and signing. A signature certificate is used to sign a document, while an encryption certificate is used to encrypt the data. Class 3 DSCs will be issued to individuals and companies/organizations.
Class 3 Digital Signature can use for many purposes such as MCA e-filing, Income Tax e-filing, e-Tendering, LLP registration, GST application, IE code registration, Form 16, Patent and trademark e-filing, Customs e-filing, e-Procurement, e-Biding, e-Auction and more.
Importance of Digital Signature Certificates:
Digital Signature Certificates (DSCs) are essential in today's digital world.
Legal Compliance: DSCs are crucial for complying with electronic signature laws and regulations. They ensure that digital transactions and documents meet legal requirements.
Business Transactions: In the corporate world, DSCs are essential for signing contracts, agreements, financial transactions, and other crucial documents. They offer a secure and convenient way to conduct business.
Government Transactions: Many government agencies and departments require DSCs for online filing forms, applications, and other submissions. They help establish trust in online interactions with the government.
Financial Transactions: Banks and financial institutions often mandate using DSCs for secure online banking and financial transactions. This ensures the protection of financial data and the prevention of fraud.
International Trade: DSCs are indispensable for international trade and commerce. They facilitate secure and legally compliant exchange of trade-related documents and transactions, such as import-export licenses and trade agreements.
Benefits of DSC and Its Importance
Digital Signature Certificates (DSCs) offer several benefits. Here are the key advantages of DSCs:
Security: DSCs provide a high level of security by verifying the signer's identity and ensuring the document's integrity. They protect against tampering and unauthorized access.
Legally Binding: Digital signatures have legal validity in many countries, including India. They hold the same legal status as physical signatures, making them ideal for various legal and business transactions.
Efficiency: DSCs streamline document handling by eliminating the need for physical signatures and paperwork. This leads to faster document processing, reduced administrative tasks, and improved efficiency.
Cost Savings: By reducing the reliance on paper-based processes, courier services, and manual handling, DSCs contribute to cost savings and improved resource management.
Global Acceptance: DSCs are recognized and accepted internationally. They are vital for cross-border transactions and ensure that documents sent and received from other countries are secure and legally binding.
Data Integrity: DSCs use encryption to secure data during transmission. This is critical for protecting sensitive or confidential information from unauthorized access.
Renewal of Class 3 DSC
According to Controller of Certification Agencies (CCA) guidelines, renewing Digital Signatures requires fresh identity verification. You can renew your Class 3 DSC by following the same process as buying a new Digital Signature Certificate.
You can apply for DSC renewal through our website once it is expired or before the expiry date.
Pricing for renewal remains the same as buying a new DSC through our website.
Documents Required For Class 3 Digital Signature with ePass Token
PAN
AADHAR
Class 3 Digital Signature with ePass Token FAQ's
A Digital Signature is the signature in electronic format which is used to authenticate the identity of the sender or the signee of the document. DSCs are easily transportable and cannot be initiated and intimated easily by anyone.
DSC is required to send and receive the documents digitally and encrypt the emails/documents. It is also required for eTendering, eProcurement, eFiling, Income Tax filing, and also in many other applications.
The Office of Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA) issues certificates only to Certifying Authorities under section 24 of the Indian Act 2000. The CAs, in turn, issue Digital Signature Certificates to the end-users.
No, as per the MCA rules, a Digital Signature Certificate is mandatory for eFiling.
The DSCs are typically issued with one-year validity and two-year validity. These are renewable on the expiry of the period of the initial issue.
The only changes to be made to the DSC while renewal is the change in address and the person's contact details.
An individual can possess two different Digital Signature certificates, one for official use and another for personal use.
It takes around three to seven days to obtain a Digital Signature Certificate in India.
In case a person wants to authorize someone else to sign on his/her behalf, then the person being authorized should use his/her own Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) credentials to sign the respective documents.
Class 3 is the highest level of DSC, where a Registration Authority verifies the identity of a person. Class 3 DSC IS used for filing electronic documents and electronic submissions of tenders.
Class 3 DSC is used for filing electronic documents and electronic submissions of tenders and auctions, e-bidding, e-auctioning, Patents Filing, logos Filing and MCA E-filing, GST return e-filing, TDS return E-filing, Income tax E-filing, sign a word or PDF and more.
ePass is a USB token that uses to store digital signature certificates. This USB token provides security for your digital signature online.
Individual Certificate
Organization Certificate
Aadhaar Offline XML (or)
Authorization Letter
PAN (Softcopy)
Identity proof
Address proof (Softcopy)
Organizational proof
Photo (Softcopy)
Authorized Signatory proof
A Digital Signature is an electronic method of signing an electronic document, whereas a Digital Signature Certificate is a computer-based record that contains the following details:
Details of Certifying Authority issuing it
Name & other details that can identify the subscriber
Subscriber's public key
Details of the DSC validity period
Download the DSC Management Utility from Income Tax Portal and install it. Log in to the new e-filing portal and Click on My Profile ? Register DSC. Enter the email ID linked with the DSC token and provider password. Click on Sign Button to register DSC on the new income tax portal.
DSC is required to sign Income Tax Returns / Statutory Forms or to verify responses against notices issued by Income Tax Department and refund reissue requests. To sign or verify any document, the user should have first registered their DSC with the e-Filing system.
Yes, taxpayers will have to register DSC again in the new e-Filing portal even if their previously registered DSC is active. DSC data is not migrated from the old portal owing to technical and data security issues.
Class 3 types of Digital Signature Certificates are valid for MCA21.
Digital Signature is legally valid and admissible in a Court of Law as provided under the provision of the Information Technology Act 2000.
DSC of Class 3 signing certificate category issued by a licensed Certifying Authority (CA) needs to be obtained for e-Filing on the MCA Portal.