F. A. Q

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore answers to common queries regarding the renewal, purchase, and usage of Digital Signature Certificates (DSC) and USB crypto tokens.

A Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is a secure electronic key issued by a Certifying Authority (CA) to validate the identity of the holder. Typically, it includes personal details (such as name, email, country, APNIC account name) and a public key. Digital Certificates operate on the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), ensuring that data signed or encrypted with a private key can only be deciphered with its corresponding public key. Essentially, a digital certificate serves as an electronic means to verify credentials during online transactions or business dealings.

In India, the Information Technology Act of 2000 acknowledges the legal validity of Digital Signature Certificates. These certificates are often a mandatory requirement and can be issued, revoked, or suspended by authorized Certifying Authorities (CAs) under the Ministry of Information Technology.

While there are three classes (Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3), the use of Class 1 and Class 2 DSCs has been discontinued in India. Class 3 DSC is now mandatory for all transaction types, offering the highest level of assurance and trust. Obtaining a Class 3 DSC involves appearing before the certifying authority, and its validity can range from one to three years.

There are three main types: Signature Certificate, Encryption Certificate, and Document Signer Certificate.

A Signature Certificate corresponds to the private key used for signing. Individuals or organizations use it for the purpose of signing documents.

An Encryption Certificate is employed to encrypt and decrypt data. The subscriber uses the encryption key pair to receive encrypted messages, which are encrypted using the subscriber's public key.

Document Signer Certificates are issued to organizational software applications, enabling them to operate automatically and authenticate documents or information attributed to the organization through the application of a Digital Signature on the document.

DigiSign India, a licensed Certifying Authority (CA) authorized by CCA, provides secure digital signatures tailored to individual and organizational needs. To initiate the process, click on "Buy Certificate," choose the certificate type, and provide your contact details. The sales team will then guide you through the entire application process.

DSC is now sold in only one class : Class-3. There will be no more Class-2 sold in 2021 as per CCA guidelines.

Class-3 DSC is sufficient to sign documents for a large variety of purposes - including tax returns (Income Tax /GST), invoice signing (Tally or PDF), completing Director's KYC, register new business firm on MCA Portal, applying Import Export Code (IEC), EPF Portal, etc.

Some Tender Portals require vendors to use Class-3 Digital Signature with encryption combo. Generally for tender bidders, Class-3 Combo is a safe recommended option.

Open the e-mail received for video recording on your smart phone or computer.

  • Record video using camera on smartphone or computer.
  • Read the statement shown on screen - loud and clear.
  • Show documents to camera - original PAN Card and Address Proof
  • Applicant face must be visible
  • Duration of video will be for 20 seconds

Video Recording has been enabled with extra 4 languages (Kannada, Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam), in addition to Hindi & English.

It is a secure sharable document which can be used by Aadhar number holder for offline verification of Identity.

  • Step 1: Go to URL www.uidai.gov.in
  • Step 2: Enter 'Aadhaar Number' or 'VID' and mentioned 'Security Code' in screen, then click on 'Send OTP'
  • Step 3: Enter the OTP received by registered Mobile Number for the given Aadhaar Number
  • Step 4: Enter a Share Code which will be password for the ZIP file and click on 'Download' button
  • Step 5: The Zip file containing the digitally signed XML will be downloaded

To renew your DSC, simply follow these steps in accordance with CCA guidelines: Click on "Renew Certificate" to initiate the process. Please note that the renewal process involves fresh identity verification.

For a paperless issuance of Digital Signature Certificates (DSC), use "PAN" or "Aadhaar Paperless Offline eKYC" for Indian Nationals and provide a local government-issued ID proof and address proof for Foreign Nationals.

DSCs offer confidentiality, ensuring that only authorized recipients can access messages. They also verify date and time, preventing disputes over message transmission. DSCs can be used for secure web-based transactions, digitally signing and receiving documents via email, filing Income Tax returns, EPFO, MCA, eProcurement, and on Tender portals.

  • For GST: Click on "register/update DSC," select the Authorized Signatory, and follow the steps to update your DSC on the GST portal.
  • For MCA: Install emSigner, go to Help & FAQs, choose Associate DSC under MCA services, fill in necessary details, and select the certificate to update it on the MCA portal.
  • For Income Tax: Log in to the e-Filing portal, go to My Profile, click Register DSC, enter the linked email ID, select the Provider and Certificate, and register your DSC for use on the Income Tax website.
  • On Tender Portals: Contact the specific website to register/map your new DSC, allowing 24 hours for the certificate to reflect.
  • On EPFO website: Log in, click on "establishment," select DSC/esign, enter required details, and register your DSC by choosing the certificate once Java is loaded.
  • Proof of Identity : the scanned copy of Passport or OCI can be submitted.
  • Proof of Address: the scanned copy of OCI (last page with address), or local government issued ID having address, or bank statement having address, or any utility bill in the name of applicant issued within 3 months
  • Passport size Photo of the applicant in JPG / PNG format
  • Class-3 DSC for Foreign Individual can be used for eTenders, Patents registration, GST, Income Tax, Import Export Code, Signing Invoices, portals of Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), PDF Signing, trademark registration, and a lot other Indian government portals that accept Digital Signature.
  • GST & Income Tax eFiling
  • MCA21 - Ministry of Corporate Affairs
    • Upload of eForms
    • Make Payments
    • Annual e-Filing
  • Government Tenders
  • Patents Filing
  • DIN - Director Identification Number
  • IEC - Import Export Code
  • Invoice Signing (Tally, or other accounting software)
  • Director eKYC
  • PDF Signing
  • Trademarks Registration
  • and many more...

A special USB pen drive is required to store Digital Signature Certificates. The USB token is a cryptographic device that offers security with strong authentication and password protection.

Designed to be secure from virus attacks, the token has mechanisms to prevent thefts of Digital Signature. Tokens we sell comply with the FIPS 140-2 Level 3 security standards.

KYC stands for Know-Your-Customer. Applicants upload Pan Card or Aadhaar XML to complete eKYC online. The process is completed online with upload of PAN Card and one proof of address. No attestation is required. There is no need send physical documents.

Scanned copies to Upload:

  1. PAN Card (front side copy)
  2. Passport size photo
  3. Any One Address Proof with applicant name
    • Aadhaar eKYC
    • Driving License
    • Voter ID
    • Passport