DIGITAL SIGNATURE CERTIFICATE

DIGITAL SIGNATURE CERTIFICATE

Today we are going to discuss about Digital Signature Certificate (DSC). Basically, it is an electronic& legal alternative of traditional wet signature. Uses of this DSC includes, presenting electronically for obtaining services or the informations on the internet or to sign documents digitally. Apart from this, users can also use the DSC for sending encrypted emails. In DSC, the details of the signer is present, which is necessary for generating Digital Signature. In other words we can say that DSC is a very important file, as it contains personal information of the signer.

Here we understand that, what is a digital signature certificate, now we will discuss on the eligibility for obtaining this certificate, who has the rights to issue to issue and so on, so let’s start………

If we talk about the eligibility, then we came to know that only after registering with a certifying authority (CA), an individual or an organization can be eligible to digitally sign documents. A certifying authority is that kind of organization which is authorized to issue digital signature certificates and licensed certifying authority named eMudhra from where individuals or organizations can purchase class 3 digital signature certificates for one, two or 3 years respectively.

A class 3 digital signature certificate is necessary for the GST, income tax, e-procurement, filing of EPFO, tender submissions and so on. The full procedure for the purchase of a digital signature certificate is done through the online medium on the eMudhra website. eMudhra verifies the user identity in less than 5 minutes. And after the verification, the DSC will be available for download within 30 minutes.

USES OF DSC

You can use digital signature certificates for the following :-

• For sending and receiving digitally signed and encrypted emails.
• For carrying and securing web-based transactions, or to identify other participants of web-based transactions.
• In eTendering, eProcurement, MCA [for registrar of companies efiling] Income tax [for efiling income tax returns] Applications and also in many other applications.
• For signing documents like MS word, MS Excel and PDFs.
• Plays a pivotal role in creating a paperless office.

Required documents to get DSC

1. Attested copy of anyone of the following as the identity proof

• Passport
• Driving License
• PAN Card
• Post Office ID Card
• Bank account passbook, containing the photograph and signed by an individual with attestation by the concerned bank official
• Any government issued photo ID card bearing the signature of the individual.
• Photo ID Card issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs of state/centre government

2. Attested copy of anyone of the following as the address proof :-

• Telephone bill
• Electricity bill
• Water bill
• Gas connection
• Bank statement signed by the bank
• Service tax/VAT/Sales tax registration certificate
• Property tax/Corporation/Municipal corporation certificate
• Driving license
• Voter ID Card
• Passport
• Certificate of registration for owned vehicle