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 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
- PAN of Applicant (Self Attested)
- Aadhar Card/Voter Id/ DL/Passport/Electricity Bill/Telephone Bill of Applicant (Self Attested)
- Photo of Applicant
- Signed DSC form
- Mobile no. of Applicant for Verification
- Email id of Applicant
- Make Online Payment
- Submit Application form with other Documents
- Get details of Certificate and Download It
FAQs
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.
DSC is short for Digital Signature Certificate.
Yes, Class 2 Digital Signature is compulsory for Applying for Director Identification Number.
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.
A Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is normally valid for 1 or 2 years, after which renewal is required.
These terms are practically used interchangeably to refer to a digital signature.
Yes, the Information Technology Act, 2000 in India has given legal validity to digital signatures.
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.
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.
No, a digital signature is unique and thus two or more individuals/entities cannot have the same digital signature.
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.