Certificate
Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)

A Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is essential for submitting different online forms to the Government of India. It serves the purpose of signing electronic documents, emails, and other documents transmitted digitally. They improve security through the use of encryption technology. DSCs are mainly employed when companies need to digitally sign online documents, securely verify the signature, and confirm the authenticity of the signed copy.

What is a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)?

A Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is a secure digital key provided by Certifying Authorities (CA) to validate and authenticate the identity of the certificate holder.

Digital Signatures utilize public key encryption to generate these signatures.

A DSC includes details such as the user’s name, pin code, country, email address, certificate issuance date, and the name of the certifying authority. Typically, DSCs are valid for one to two years, but they can be renewed prior to their expiration.

Digital Signature Certificate Advantages

  • Authentication: Assists in verifying the personal information of the individual holder during online business transactions.
  • Reduced cost and time: Rather than physically signing hard copy documents and then scanning them to email, you can digitally sign PDF files and send them much more swiftly. A holder of a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is not required to be physically present to perform or authorize a business transaction.
  • Data integrity: Documents signed digitally cannot be modified or changed once they are signed, ensuring the safety and security of the data.

    Government entities frequently request these certificates to validate and confirm the business transaction.

  • Authenticity of documents: Digitally signed documents instill confidence in the recipient regarding the authenticity of the signer. This allows them to act based on these documents without the concern of forgery.

Importance of DSC for Fulfilling Statutory Compliances

Individuals and organizations mandated to have their accounts audited must file their income tax returns using a digital signature without exception. Additionally, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs has stipulated that companies are required to submit all reports, applications, and forms exclusively with a digital signature.

In the context of GST, a company can only register by validating the GST application through a digital signature. The necessity of a digital signature extends to the submission of all applications, amendments, and other associated forms.

Certifying Authorities for Issuance of a Digital Signature Certificate

The Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA) has designated Certifying Authorities (CA) to issue Digital Signature Certificates (DSC) in India. The Office of the Controller of Certification Agencies (CCA) has authorized 15 CAs to provide DSCs to individuals. The list of these CAs, along with their respective website links, is given here. 

Types of DSCs

Sign 

Individuals can utilize Sign Certificates to sign documents. These can be attached to PDFs, files, or documents for submitting GST returns, income tax returns, MCA online forms, and various other online services. It ensures the document’s integrity and verifies the user’s identity. This provides assurance to the recipient that the information presented is unchanged and that the document remains unaltered.

Encrypt

An individual can utilize the Encrypt Certificate to secure files, documents, or any sensitive and confidential information.


DSC encryption is specifically designed for safeguarding confidential documents and data.
It assists businesses and organizations in encrypting and uploading documents to web portals.


Additionally, this certificate can be employed to encrypt personal information and transmit it securely.


Encrypt DSC is ideal for e-commerce documents, legal papers, e-tender submissions, and other sensitive records.

Sign and Encrypt

An individual can utilize the Sign and Encrypt Certificate for both signing and encryption functions. It is commonly employed for submitting government documents, forms, and applications. This certificate is ideal for users who require the preservation and verification of the confidentiality of the exchanged data.

Classes of DSC

The category of the applicant and the intended use of the Digital Signature Certificate determine the specific type of DSC that should be applied for, based on the requirements. Certifying authorities issue three distinct types of Digital Signature certificates.

Class 1 Certificates

These documents are provided to individual or private subscribers and serve to verify the user’s name and email address within the certifying authority’s database.

Class 2 Certificates

These certificates are provided to the authorized signatories for the purpose of electronically filing forms on government platforms, including the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) website, the income tax website, the GST website, and others. However, effective from January 1, 2021, the Controller of Certifying Authority has mandated the cessation of Class 2 Certificates, with Class 3 Certificates being issued as a replacement for Class 2 Certificates.

Class 3 Certificates 

These certificates facilitate online participation and bidding in e-auctions and online tenders throughout India. Vendors intending to engage in online tenders are required to possess a Class 3 digital signature certificate.

As of January 1, 2021, CCA has ceased the issuance of Class 2 Certificates, meaning that anyone who needs to sign forms for the Registrar of Companies (ROC), customs filings, income tax submissions, patent and trademark applications, GST filings, and other government forms online must acquire Class 3 Certificates.

How to get a digital signature certificate?

Navigate to any of the CA websites, choose the DSC Class 3 registration/application option on their homepage, and continue to complete the form.

You need to fill in the below necessary details on the DSC application form:

  • Class of the DSC.
  • Validity.
  • Type: Only sign or sign and encrypt.
  • Applicant name and contact details.
  • Residential address.
  • GST number and identity details of proof documents.
  • Declaration.
  • Document as proof of identity.
  • Document as proof of address.
  • Attestation officer.

Payment details.Next, upload your recent photograph and e-sign the declaration. 

Please upload the necessary documents. However, if the CAs provide Aadhaar eKYC-based authentication, you may choose this option. By selecting this option, you will not need to upload any supporting documents. Alternatively, you can directly visit the CAs with the original supporting documents along with self-attested copies of those documents.

Make the payment for the issuance of the DSC and submit the form.

CAs will verify your application and documents and issue the DSC electronically.

Documents Required for Submitting a DSC Application

  • Aadhaar card.
  • PAN card.
  • Passport-sized photo.
  • Address proof.

How to download a digital signature certificate?

The procedure for downloading a digital signature certificate differs from one Certification Authority (CA) to another. Below, you will find the DSC download process for several CAs.

Process to download DSC from e-Mudhra:

  • Plug in the USB token on your computer. 
  • Select the open files option and click on ePass2003India.setup.exe.
  • Choose your desired language and press ‘OK’. Configure the ePass2003 by selecting the ‘Private CSP’ option and then clicking the ‘Install’ button. After installation, click the ‘Finish’ button.
  • Set up a new pin to a USB token to download the DSC. 
  • Search for the installed ‘ePass2003 token manager’ on the Windows search bar.
  • Enter the default pin and click on the change user pin to set a new pin.
  • Visit the eMudhra website and click on the ‘Download Certificate’ option and on ‘emClick’. 
  • Enter the application number and challenge code sent to the registered mobile number.

Enter the token password and click the ‘Agree and Download’ button.

Process to download DSC from Capricorn:

  • Visit the Capricorn website.
  • Click on the ‘Download DSC’ button.
  • Enter the following details and click the ‘Submit’ button:
    • Order ID
    • Pin code mentioned in the applicant’s address
    • Download Key sent on the registered mobile number.
  • Select FIPS Token and click on the ‘Download’ button.

Process to download DSC from Pantasign:

  • Visit the Pantasign website.
  • Click on the ‘Downloads’ button. 
  • Download utility by clicking on the download button.
  • Extract the downloaded utility. After extracting, open the folder named PantaCharge.
  • Open PantaCharge.exe and click on the ‘Get Started’ button.
  • Enter the Application Number and Passcode sent to the registered mobile number and e-mail. 
  • Click on the ‘Login’ button and click on ‘Download Certificate’.
  • Enter the Token Password and click the ‘OK’ button to download DSC.

Process to download DSC from (n) Code Solutions:

  • Plug in the e-token into the computer. 
  • Open DSC Download Utility.
  • Enter the Customer ID and Passcode sent on the registered mobile number.  
  • Select the Token Type and enter the Token Password.  
  • Click on ‘Submit’ to continue.
  • Select DSC Type and click ‘Download DSC’. 

Process to download DSC from IDSign:

  • Visit the IDSign website.
  • Click on ‘Repository’ and then on the ‘Application Links’ option. 
  • Click on ‘Download’ under ‘IDSign Token Utility’.
  • Unzip the downloaded folder.
  • Open the IDSignTokenUtility.exe folder. 
  • Click on IDSignTokenUtility.exe.
  • Enter the Reference Number and Mobile Number. 
  • Enter the Token Password and click on ‘Download Certificate’.

How to check the validity of a digital signature certificate?

  • Open the USB token tools. 
  • Click on the ‘Login’ button.
  • Enter the token password.
  • Click on your certificate name.
  • The certificate will open. Click on the ‘Details’ tab. 
  • The details of your certificate will be displayed, including the validity details of the certificate.