What is a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)?

A Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is an electronic equivalent of a physical signature issued by a Certifying Authority (CA). It verifies the identity of the signer and ensures integrity of the signed document.

Where and how is a digital signature used?

• e-Tendering / e-Procurement: Bidders use DSCs (usually Class 3) to sign tender documents before submission on government portals.
• Income Tax & GST filings: Businesses and CA/Tax professionals sign returns and e-forms using DSCs.
• Company filings (MCA): Directors and authorized signatories sign annual returns and incorporation documents.
• Banking & Financial Transactions: Secure approvals, corporate netbanking, and API integrations.
• Legal & Contracts: Digitally sign agreements, contracts, and NDAs to ensure authenticity.
• SSL / Domain Ownership: Certificates validate domain ownership and secure website transactions.

How to get and use a DSC (step-by-step)

1. Choose DSC type: Select Class 2 (for email/authentication) or Class 3 (for e-tendering and high-security needs).
2. Fill application: Provide details of the authorized person and organization.
3. Identity verification: Submit KYC documents (Aadhaar, PAN, photo) as required by the Certifying Authority.
4. Receive token or soft cert: DSCs are issued on USB tokens (hard token) or as software certificates (soft token).
5. Install & register: Install required drivers, plug token into PC, and register the DSC on target portals (eProcurement, MCA, Income Tax).
6. Sign documents: Use portal sign options or signing software (Adobe Reader, government portal utilities) to digitally sign PDFs and forms.

Benefits

Digital signatures provide authentication, non-repudiation, integrity, and legal validity under the IT Act. They speed up processes, reduce paperwork, and increase security.

Quick tips

• Use a Class 3 DSC for tendering and high-security transactions.
• Keep your token safe — losing access to your DSC can cause delays.
• Always test signing on a sample document before submitting critical filings.