What is Digital Signature Certificate? How many types of Digital Signature Certificates are available in India? Types of Digital Signature Certificates in India

As an accountant & Tax Consultant our team are well known about Digital Signature Certificates. Every Accountant, Directors of Company, Partnership Firms having GST Registration, Accountants etc. are well known about Digital Signature Certificate (in short, we call it DSC). But there are many people among us who don’t know about Digital Signature Certificates, what are the uses of DSC’s and Where we can use these. So, don’t worry, today we will introduce you about Digital Signature Certificates in detailed form.

What is Digital Signature Certificate?

Digital Signature Certificates are Signatures of individual person in electronic manner in the form of certain text file or in the form of token which can be use while signing online Documents or soft copies of files where you can’t sign physically. It is equally valid as physical signature. The Documents signed with Digital Signatures are also equally valid as documents shared in physical (paper) manner.

What is the requirement of Digital Signature Certificates?

In this modern era where every work is conducting electronically & one can’t be available everywhere to sign documents physically so Government has introduced the concept of Digital Signature Certificates so that the Signing process of electronic documents like: Signing in online portals, GST, Income Tax, TDS, PF, ESI etc. can be simplified. Also, to sign PDF’s and other soft documents DSC can be used. Digital Certificate can be also used to sign E-Forms like in case of Company Registrations, Annual returns etc. 

What are the Types of Digital Signature Certificates in India?

There are 3 Types of Digital Signature Certificates are available in India which are: Class 1, Class 2 & Class 3

Every class of Digital Signature Certificate comes with different security levels & for different types of users

1. Class 1 Digital Signature Certificates: These signatures are for Individuals/Private users. Class 1 DSC is used for verification of certain details in many websites & portals. Such as to verify Name, E-Mail, Mobile Number etc.

2. Class 2 Digital Signature Certificate: These signatures are for Directors & Authorized signatories. Class 2 Digital Signatures are most used signatures in Corporates. These signatures are end-to-end encrypted and multi-level taskings can be complete with these tokens/signatures. Class 2 Digital Signature Certificates are mandatory for individuals to file various Tax Returns & filing of many documents & returns on ROC (Registrar of Companies) forms.

3. Class 3 Digital Signature Certificates: These certificates are mostly used for online works like Bidding, Auctions, Taking the tenders from Government etc. If someone wants to take the tender or to participate online bidding must have Class 3 Digital Signature Certificates

One Person can prepare its more than 1 DSC for Personal works & Separate for Official Purposes 

What is the validity of Digital Signature Certificates?

The validity of Digital Signature Certificates are 1 or 2 years, Then the person having the signature needs to renew. 

Who Can Issue Digital Signature Certificate in India?

Government has authorized certain partners or Govt bodies to prepare & issue Digital Signatures on behalf of Applicant. In short, a License Certifying Authority (LCA) or (CA) (Here CA Doesn’t mean Chartered Accounts). Examples of Digital Signature Certificate Issuing authorities in India:

a) NIC (National Informatics Center)

b) Mudhra (E-Mudhra)

c) CDAC

d) NSDL

e) IDSIGN

f) (n) Code Solutions CA

g) Capricorn

h) Pantasign

i) IDRBT Certifying Authority etc. 

Is Digital Signature Certificates are Valid in India?

The answer is “Yes”. Digital Signature Certificates are equally valid as physical signatures 

What are the Benefits of Digital Signature Certificates?

1. Easy Process of Signing: You can sign documents if you don’t have any access or printer at available location. Just Insert the Token into computer & Sign Electronically

2. Fast Signing Process: No need to wait for the Physical Documents to be printed or not need to wait for the arrival of physical documents. Just Open the token or saved signature file and sign on rapid manner

3. Safe & Privacy Friendly: No need to worry about that someone will copy your physical signature and use anywhere they want. If you have your Digital Signature Certificate Token, then the safety is in your hands. One more thing: Digital Signature Certificates are password protected. You need to enter password every time you what to sign something. So, no need to worry about losing the certificate file. No one can use these certificates without that password which only you know

4. Low Cost & Time Saving Process: Digital Signature Certificate cost are very low around 1000-2000 Rs. For 2 years which is not that huge amount. It also saves your precious time which were wasted because of physical signatures.

Hope you are now aware of Digital Signature Certificate, its importance, it’s uses & Its benefits
If you want a fresh Digital Signature Certificate or want to renew the previous one, just fill the contact us form in the sidebar of this blog. We will serve our best services towards you at affordable cost

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Team: Online Knowledge Zone