Digital Signature Registration

    Introduction

    A Digital Signature is the equivalent of a physical signature in electronic format, as it establishes the identity of the sender of an electronic document in the Internet. Digital Signatures are used in India for online transactions such as Income Tax E-Filing, Company or LLP Incorporation, Filing Annual Return, E-Tenders, etc.,

    Types of Digital Signatures

     
    Class I Digital Signature
    Class II Digital Signature
    Class III Digital Signature
    DGFT - DSC

    Class I type of Digital Signatures are only used for securing email communication.

    Class II type of Digital Signatures are used for Company or LLP Incorporation, IT Return E-Filing, Obtaining DIN or DPIN, and filing other forms with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and Income Tax Department.

    Class III type Digital Signatures are used mainly for E-Tendering and for participating in E-Auctions. Digital Signatures come in the form of a USB E-Token, wherein the Digital Signature Certificate is stored in a USB Drive and can be accessed through a computer to sign documents electronically.

    DGFT Digital Signature Certificate is required by Importer and Exporter and used at the department of Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).

    For Digital Signature With Organisation Name a Registration Certificate and Bank statement of Organisation is Required.

    Digital Signature

    Get  eMudhra and Sify DSC

    Starts from Rs. 1199/-

    Duration-1 day

    Documents & Information Required
    1. PAN of Applicant (Self Attested)
    2. Aadhar Card/Voter Id/ DL/Passport/Electricity Bill/Telephone Bill of Applicant (Self Attested)
    3. Photo of Applicant
    4. Signed DSC form
    5. Mobile no. of Applicant for Verification
    6. Email id of Applicant
    Procedure
    1. Make Online Payment
    2. Submit Application form with other Documents
    3. Get details of Certificate and Download It

    FAQs

    What is a digital signature?

     A digital signature is a very simple, secure, convenient, and a time-saving way of signing electronic documents or authenticating certain online transactions. Technically, it is a code, unique to the person who is signing the electronic document or authenticating the transaction.

    What is ‘DSC’?

    DSC is short for Digital Signature Certificate.

    Whether Class 2 digital signature is compulsory for Applying for Director Identification Number (DIN)?

    Yes, Class 2 Digital Signature is compulsory for Applying for Director Identification Number.

    What is the role of class 2 DSC in Income tax e-fillings?

    e-Filing with Pan Encrypted Digital Signature Certificate on the Income Tax e-Filing portal has been made mandatory with effect form 1st July 2011 for Firms and Individuals whose accounts are required to be audited u/s 44 AB of the Income Tax Act’ 1961. If filing is done electronically using digital signature, there is no need to submit a physical copy of the return. Else a physical printed copy of the filled up Form along with the copy of the Provisional Acknowledgement Number of your e-Return has to be submitted.

    What is the Validity period of Digital Signature?

    A Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is normally valid for 1 or 2 years, after which renewal is required.

    What is the difference between a ‘digital signature’, a ‘digital certificate’ and a ‘digital signature certificate (dsc)’?

    These terms are practically used interchangeably to refer to a digital signature.

    Is a digital signature legally valid?

    Yes, the Information Technology Act, 2000 in India has given legal validity to digital signatures.

    Can a document signed with a digital signature be considered as valid evidence?

    Yes, the Indian Evidence Act, 1858 has been modified and amended on lines with the Information Technology Act, 2000 and thus any electronic document signed with a valid digital signature is considered a valid piece of evidence similar to a physical document signed with a hand-written signature.

    Why has the usage of digital signatures in India increased dramatically in recent years?

    The Ministry of Company Affairs (MCA), Government of India (GoI) has initiated MCA21 program, for easy and secure access to MCA services in a manner that best suits the businesses and citizens. MCA21 is envisioned to provide anytime and anywhere services to businesses. It is a pioneering program being the first mission mode e-governance project being undertaken India.

    Besides, use of digital signature has also been made mandatory for certain transactions. In certain cases, though usage of digital signature is not mandatory, it offers a lot of convenience over the traditional methods.

    Thus, the usage of digital signatures has increased dramatically in India in recent years and is very much likely to increase further.

    Can two or more people have the same digital signature?

    No, a digital signature is unique and thus two or more individuals/entities cannot have the same digital signature.

    Can a digital signature be forged?

    It is practically impossible to forge a digital signature. It is secure and has be applied online for authentication. Thus it is more secure than a hand-written signature which can be seen and potentially imitated by any person who sees a document bearing the hand-written signature.