What Is DSC

What is DSC?
A Digital Signature is nothing but an authentication of any electronic document by a

subscriber to the document. Such an authentication is done by the way of an electronic
method or process according to Section 3 of The Information Technology Act, 2000.
Thus, a digital signature certificate (DSC) is a secure digital key that certifies the
identity of the holder. A certifying authority (CA) issues these certificates. Moreover,
the DSC comprises of identifying information like an email address and an APNIC
account name.
Digital certificates use public key infrastructure for data that has been digitally signed
or encrypted by a private key. Moreover, this certificate also works as an
authentication that establishes your credentials when conducting business online.
Thus, subject to the provisions of this section, any subscriber can authenticate any
electronic document by affixing the Digital Signature on the same.
Just as handwritten signature is used for signing the physical documents, Digital
Signature is used to sign electronic records such as e-forms etc.
Why is DSC Required?

The provisions with regards to the use of the Digital Signatures on documents
submitted electronically are contained in the Information Technology Act 2000.
These provisions are given in order to establish authenticity and security of all the
documents that are filed digitally.
Thus, all the documents filed by companies, LLPs that come under MCA 21
e-governance project need to file such documents using digital signatures. Such a
signature must be affixed by the person who is authorized to do so.
Types of Digital Signature Certificates

The different types of Digital Signature Certificates that are valid for MCA 21
Programme are as follows:
1. Class I
These certificates shall be issued to individuals/private subscribers. These certificates

will confirm that a user’s name (or alias) and email address from an unambiguous
subject are within the certifying authority’s database.
2. Class II
These certificates are required as e-filing is made compulsory in ROC, every director /
signing authority needs to have their digital signature.
Hence, it is now mandatory to obtain Class-2 or Class-2 with PAN encryption digital
signature. In this type of DSC, the identity of the person is verified against a trusted
pre-verified database.
Moreover, this is required for any person who is required to sign manual documents
and returns filed with ROC.
3. Class III
Class III is the upgraded version of Class 2 digital signature. By using this certificate
you can participate/bid in any kind of online tenders/auction across India. Therefore,
to participate in the e-tendering process, every vendor is required to use a class 3
digital signature.
This is the highest level of DSC wherein the person applying for DSC must appear
before the Registration Authority and prove his or her identity.
Components of a Digital Signature

• Public Key
This is required as part of a verification system.
• Name and Email Address
This is required for contact information purposes and for ease of identification.
• Expiration Date of the Public Key
This part of the signature is used to set a shelf life and enable the signature to be reset.
• Name of the Company
This section identifies the company that owns the signature.
• Serial Number of the Digital ID
This part is a unique number that is bundled to the signature for tracking ad extra
identification reasons.
• Digital Signature of the Certification Authority
This is a signature that is issued by the authority that issues the certificates.
Also, all those that are authorized as signatories that sign manual documents are
required to obtain a digital signature under MCA21. Therefore, personnel like
directors, auditors, company secretary, bank officials and other authorized signatories
must obtain a digital signature.
Who Can Issue The Digital Signature Certificate?

Any person seeking to obtain DSC needs to apply to the Certifying Authority for the
issuance of such a Certificate in the form and manner as may be prescribed by the
Central Government.
These Certification Authorities have been appointed by the Office of the Controller of
Certification Agencies (CCA) under the provisions of the Information Technology
Act, 2000. Thus, CCA has given authority to 8 Certification Agencies to issue DSCs
to persons seeking same.
The list of these Certification Authorities are as follows:
Certification Agency Website Link
National Informatics Centre (NIC) https://www.nic.in/
IDRBT Certifying Authority http://www.idrbtca.org.in/
SafeScrypt CA Services, SIFY

https://www.safescrypt.com/drupal/
Communications Ltd.
(n) Code Solutions CA http://www.ncodesolutions.com/
E-MUDHRA http://www.e-mudhra.com/
CDAC https://esign.cdac.in/
NSDL https://www.egov-nsdl.co.in/
Capricorn certificate.digital
Process of Obtaining Digital Signature From
Certifying Authority
• As an applicant of Digital Signature Certificate (DSC), you need make an
application for DSC directly to the Certifying Authorities (CAs) that is duly
signed and filled.
• Along with the application, you need to produce self-attested copy of your
PAN Card and ID Proof having photo and address of the applicant.
Validity of Digital Signatures

DSCs issued by the Certified Authorities are usually valid for one or two years.
However, these can be renewed in such form and fees as may be prescribed by the
Central Government.
The request for such a renewal of DSC should be made not less than 45 days before
the expiry for the validity period for the DSC.

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What is DSC?

A Digital Signature is nothing but an authentication of any electronic document by a

Why is DSC Required?

Types of Digital Signature Certificates

These certificates shall be issued to individuals/private subscribers. These certificates

Components of a Digital Signature

This is required as part of a verification system.

• Name and Email Address

• Expiration Date of the Public Key

• Name of the Company

This section identifies the company that owns the signature.

• Serial Number of the Digital ID

• Digital Signature of the Certification Authority

Who Can Issue The Digital Signature Certificate?

The list of these Certification Authorities are as follows:

Certification Agency Website Link

National Informatics Centre (NIC) https://www.nic.in/

IDRBT Certifying Authority http://www.idrbtca.org.in/

SafeScrypt CA Services, SIFY

(n) Code Solutions CA http://www.ncodesolutions.com/

Validity of Digital Signatures

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