Digital Signature Certificate

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Digital Signature

Digital signature certificate is an electronic signature issued by a Certifying Authority (CA), under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, to validate the information obtained digitally and ensures the reliability of the sender, which is to be stored in an USB token(e-token) provided with a PIN or password for Authorized users.

List of certifying authorities in India:

    • E-mudra
    • Sify technologies
    • National Informatics Center (NIC)
    • Institute for Development and research in banking technology (IDRBT).
    • Global sign

    Based on the increasing order of security and its purpose, DSC is classified into:

    • Class 1 DSC: validates the User identity and email ID
    • Class 2 DSC: Verifies the User identity like Aadhar and PAN
    • Class 3 DSC: Face to Face identity verification.
    • DGFT DSC: Export import purpose.
    • Document signer Certificate: Automated document signing
    • Organizational Certificate: Verification of legal existence of an organization
    • Code signing Certificate: Verifies the identity of Software application

Validity of DSC:

Based on the security policies of issuing and certifying authorities and the type of certificate issued the validity ranges from 1-3 years.
Type of DSC Validity
Class 2 DSC 1-2 years
Class 3 DSC 2-3 years
DGFT DSC 1-2 years
  DSC can be renewed or revoked based on the requirement. Renewal after validity require re-validation of the signature holders identity and revocation of the certificate can be requested from the certifying authority.

Benefits of DSC:

• Robust protection by enhancing the confidentiality and reducing the unauthorized or tampering of signed documents.

• Confirming the lawful identification of the signer.

• Ensuring the integrity of the data after signing.

• Ensuring the accountability in digital proceedings.

• Inclusion of timestamp in documents to focus timing for future references.

• Efficient time management by reducing the in-person signatures and courier services.

• Ideal for international business proceedings and transactions.

• Nullifies the signature associated errors.

• Fortified protection and confidentiality.

Recent amendments:

The latest amendments in Information technology (IT) act, 2000 emphasizes on

• Legal equivalence of Handwritten signature and Digital signature, especially for electronic submissions.

• Digital signatures can be used in filing documents under MCA21 e-governance program.

• Updated penalties regarding Cybercrimes and Cyber terrorism.

• Prison sentences and fines in cases of Identity Theft.

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