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Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) Service Online
Why is it Important?
As the name implies, a Digital Signature Certificate is an electronic signature that aids in the validation of papers submitted through the internet. Today’s world is fast digitising, and everything is going online. Everything may be done digitally, whether you want to pay your power bill or start a business. Previously, the only method to add an electronic signature to a document was to take a print of it, sign it, and then send it back by scanning. Given the speed with which the DSC was implemented, this was a lengthy procedure.
A digital signature certificate in India is essentially a mathematical code that aids in the authentication of a signature and the preservation of data until it reaches its final destination. When it comes to the subject of the importance of obtaining a digital signature certificate in India, the simple response is that it is very significant. We shall look at the many benefits of trademark registration throughout this post to shed additional light on this assertion.
Individuals and businesses that are required to have their accounts audited must use a digital signature to file their income tax returns. Furthermore, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs has made it essential for businesses to use a digital signature to file all reports, applications, and forms.
A firm can also do GST registration by using a digital signature to validate the GST application. Even for filing all applications, modifications, and other associated paperwork, a digital signature is required.
The following are some of the factors which lays down the importance of DSC:
Ensuring the Safety
Because DSC operates in an electronic manner, the possibilities of a certificate being duplicated are almost nil. The certificate, unlike physical signatures, cannot be altered, tampered with, or duplicated. The holder is given a secure password that only he may use to access his signature. DSC secures and authenticates the papers.
Legal Validity
The papers’ legal validity is ensured by the Digital Signature, which may be used as evidence in a court of law. The food licence is deemed to be on par with the physical signature when submitting papers to various agencies for numerous registrations such as business registration, IPR registration, food licencing, and so on. In reality, all papers uploaded through these online portals must be validated using a digital signature certificate.
Lower Time
It is necessary for the individual to be physically present in order to place the physical signature, which may take longer than expected. Digital signatures allow a person to sign essential papers from anywhere in the globe, reducing the amount of time it takes to complete the process.
Easier Procedures
It becomes quite exhausting for the customer to go through each document, review it physically, and then either print off all of the documents or go somewhere to sign them. Clients may do all of these tasks from the comfort of their own homes by simply adding the DSC to the relevant papers.
Improving Business Operations
As we explained in the last part, DSC helps to reduce the amount of time spent, the cost involved, and it is much more secure. All of these factors contribute to employees spending less time having documents signed and more time doing other things.
Helps to Save Cost
Aside from saving time, a digital signature certificate also saves money on the different digital signature cost connected with physical signatures. Ink, paper, printing, scanning, shipping, monitoring, and travel are just a few of the expenditures that may be reduced using DSC.
National Filings offers a nominal digital signature price for electronically signing documents on practically any device. Add an electronic signature to a document. Sign forms, contracts, and agreements in minutes, using a computer, tablet or mobile phone. Upload a document to sign with an electronic signature.
Benefits of a Digital Signature Certificate
The key advantages offered by DSC or the Digital Signature Certificate in India would be the following:
1. Helps in Making Easier and Fast Payment
With a digital signature, you can complete a deal faster or even sign a contract and close papers from several parties. Apart from that, legal agreements, bills, and any other documentation that takes longer to close due to an ink signature may be readily streamlined.
2. Enhanced Security
When it comes to document security, digital signature is superior than paper or ink signing. The digital signature software guarantees that the document is encrypted and protected from being tampered with or misused.
3. Saves Cost and Time
Many parties must sign any official contract,shareholders agreement, or document as it is being prepared. Previously, papers had to be couriered to all recipients and then waited for all signatures to be completed. However, owing to digital signature technology, the process of delivering and authenticating papers or any other official paper online is quite quick. This technique saves time, money, and is completed in a timely and efficient manner.
4. Increased Authenticity
The legal validity of a digital signature certificate is ensured by ensuring that the e-signature is validated. It will help you stand up in the court of law of the land. In addition, time stamping and the ability to trace and archive documents increase compliance and auditing.
5. Validity for the Future
Digital signatures will continue to be valid in the future. With their long-term signature forms, ETSI PDF advanced signatures are valid in the future. For the time being, these signatures are still valid.
6. Enhanced Customer Service
Everything is digitised since we live in the digital era. Do you realise that smartphones and iPhones account for 66% of all digital growth? As a result, a large number of transactions are completed online using personal mobile phones. Most consumers nowadays demand digital signature, which is a relatively straightforward operation that also helps to sustain client loyalty.
7. Increases validity of Documents
When it comes to ensuring document legitimacy, digital signatures are the best option. Even if technology advances, digitally signed documents or papers remain legitimate for many years.
8. Environment Friendly Decision
E-signing or employing digital signatures have a number of advantages. By using it, we are decreasing waste while also lowering the cost of paper. Using digital signatures also communicates to consumers, workers, partners, and stakeholders that your company is environmentally conscious.
9. Increases Efficiency of Business
In compared to the benefits, the cost of incorporating e-sign into work processes is quite cheap. E-signatures are ideal for organisations of every size and form since they reduce contract turnaround time and process time.
10. Reduces Fraud
There is no better level of security than signing a document or piece of paper. Because they are supported by a unique digital identity based on established Public Key Infrastructure standards, digital signatures reduce the possibility of falsification.
Which Certifying Authority Can Issue the DSC?
eMudhra has been approved as one of the certifying authorities for the issue of Digital Signature Certificates by the Controller of Certifying Authorities for the purpose of issuing digital signatures in India. (n) Code Solutions, National Informatics Centre, Safes crypt, and Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology are some of the other certification agencies.
Different Classes of the DSC
Depending on the necessity, the kind of applicant and the reason for which the Digital Signature Certificate in India is acquired determines the type of DSC that must be applied for. The certifying authority provide three different types of Digital Signature Certifications in India and these are described below in detail:
Class 1 DSC
These are sent to individual/private subscribers and are used to verify that the user’s name and email address from a certain subject are stored in the certifying authority’s database.
Class 2 DSC
These are given to the company’s director/signatory authority for the purpose of electronic filing with the Registrar of Companies (ROC). Individuals who must sign manual papers when submitting returns with the ROC must have a Class 2 certificate. However, beginning of January 1, 2021, the Controller of Certifying Authority has ordered that Class 2 Certificates be phased out and replaced with Class 3 Certificates.
Class 3 DSC
These certificates can be used to participate in and bid on e-auctions and online tenders across India. Vendors must have a Class 3 digital signature certificate in order to participate in the online tenders.
Steps to Apply for Digital Signature Certificate or DSC in India
Following are the steps to be followed for applying for the DSC in India or Digital Signature Certificate:
Access the e-Mudhra Web Portal
Click “Buy Digital Certificate” on the e-Mudra website. Choose from the following options: class type, type of the user, validity of the certificate validity, type of the certificate, and also the Know Your Customer or KYC.
Enter the Information as Required by the Form
You will be sent to the section where you can purchase a digital certificate and for this an application form should be entered with all the required information. Complete the relevant fields and after which the button ‘Proceed’ needs to be clicked. You should fill in the form details or information required based on your Aadhaar or PAN details.
OTP Validation
Once the application form has been filled in, now you have to validate the information and application by using an OTP or One Time Password which is initiated to the registered mobile number.
Verify and Proceed
Now click on verify and proceed for completing the OTP verification.
Verification of Information on Certificate
- The PIN, User Id, and also an OTP are used to e-sign.
- Then press the “Submit” button.
- A unique identifier for the application must be created.
- Make a note of the Application ID for any reference in the future.
Video Recording
Now, you have to complete a video recording for furthering the application of the DSC or Digital Signature Certificate.
Questions to be Answered:
The following questions are to be answered based on the prompt: Have you submitted an application for DSC? – Yes, I’ve submitted an application for DSC. What’s your given name? — Your name as it appears on your Aadhar/Pan card. What year were you born?
Once you answer all these questions, check it out and submit it after which the application will be completed.
Documents Required for Digital Signature Certificate or DSC in India
There are basically three documents which are mandatorily required while making an application for the DSC. And this will include:
- ID Proof for Photo
- Proof for Address
- An application form for DSC duly filled in by the Applicant.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, DSC is holding legal status and is legally admissible in the Court of Law of the country, pertaining to the provisions of the law in force.
The time taken to issue a DSC would range from 3 to a maximum of 7 days.
No. There is no such pre-requisite mentioned by any law that an only a person with DIN can apply for DSC.
The following are the different types of DSC or the Digital Signature Certificates which are considered to be valid for MCA21 Program:
Class 2: In this case, a person’s identification or his or her identity is checked against a trustworthy, pre-verified database.
Class 3: This is the highest-level security providing, as it is requiring the person to appear in front of a Registration Authority (RA) and confirm his or her identification or identity with such authority increasing its authenticity.
Class 2 or Class 3 DSC which is issued duly by a Certifying Authority or CA with a proper license should be obtained by the individual or entity for completing any efiling requirements under the MCA.
