Digital Signature Certificate

Digital Signature Certificate

It’s A Paper Less Signature. Digital Signature is used to sign documents. DSC stands for “Digital Signature Certificate”, also commonly known in short form as “Digital Signature”.

Digital Signature is a software file. DSC can stored only in a special USB crypto token like ePass2003, Trust-Key, Prox-Key, etc.

A computerized endorsement is one more name for an advanced mark or ID. The authority ought to have a functioning computerized endorsement to sign authority records digitally. A declaration authority will give a computerized testament. One can either purchase a computerized declaration or get a DSC from outsider endorsement specialists. Furthermore, a great deal of associations, legislatures, and organizations can distribute their own certificates. To utilize a computerized signature having an advanced certificate is obligatory. Advanced marks are made attainable by computerized declarations.

The computerized signature testament is utilized to recognize and confirm the character of people holding and utilizing this mark. It is additionally utilized like a solid computerized key.

Public key encryptions are utilized in computerized marks to create the marks. Alongside the client’s name, other data including the pin code email address, the date on which the declaration gave and the name of the guaranteeing authority will be remembered for the computerized signature testament.

Process of Digital Signature

Paper-less steps are now available to get a new Digital Signature. Paper-less process is faster, cheaper, and fully online.

Step 1: Enter applicant name, phone, email, and choose brand of DSC.

Step 2: After payment, receive an automatic e-mail with link to open CA Portal.

Step 3: Create KYC ID / PIN or use existing KYC ID.

Step 4: Upload PAN Card, Proof of Address, and a passport size photo. For Organization, additional documents must be uploaded.

Step 5: Record Video using phone or laptop. Read statement shown on screen.

Step 6: e-Mudhra / Capricorn will approve and issue Digital Signature Certificate.

Step 7: Download DSC and store on USB cryptographic token such as ePass2003-Auto.

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.

ePass2003 Auto token?

ePass2003 Auto is used to store Digital Signature Certificates. It is a secure storage device with strong authentication and password protected.

Designed to be secure from virus attacks, the token has mechanisms to prevent thefts of Digital Signature. ePass2003 Auto complies with the FIPS 140-2 security standards.

Paper-less steps have reduced the price of DSC. New or Renewal – applicants enjoy low price now. Price is not a barrier for common man to use Digital Signature.

Renewal applicants may choose to buy only DSC Certificate without token, and re-use existing USB token. New applicants who buy DSC for the first time need ePass2003-Auto.

Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate (Class 3 DSC)

This class of digital signature certificate is particularly used for filing electronic documents and submitting tenders. The need for digital signatures is constantly growing as the Indian government pushes ‘Digital India’. Its application can be seen, among other things, in the filing of income tax returns, EPFO, PF, GST, and e-procurement. Compared to the conventional method of submitting a paper application and presenting certified papers, we can actually issue a DSC in a matter of minutes. The following are Class 3 certificates’ primary purposes:

• e-Tendering
• e-filing for patents and trademarks
• e-filing for MCA
• filing taxes online
• Registration of LLP
• e-filing for customs
• e-Procurement
• e-Bidding
• e-Auction
• filing a GST application

Three Types of Users in Class 3 Digital Signature

User type 1: Individual DSC

This type of DSC is used by individuals. The authorised person attaches a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) to papers that are submitted electronically. It guarantees the confidentiality and validity of electronically supplied documents. All documents uploaded to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) portal have a DSC stamp. DSC is used to validate online transactions including LLP incorporation, income tax e-filing, and business incorporation.

Advantages

• A digital signature increases the transaction’s security.
• Nobody who is not authorised can commit fraud in transactions
• The status of the documents that have a digital signature applied may be easily tracked
• Speedy delivery of documents
• Since it was issued by a certifying agency recognised by the government, it is completely lawful
• You are unable to retract your digital signature from a document
• When a document is signed with this signature, the date and time are immediately stamped on it
• The digitally signed document cannot be copied or changed
• Identifying information about the signer
• Removing the chance that an imposter could perpetrate fraud.

Disadvantages

• You must fix all of the compatibility issues
• There are numerous compatibility options, including updated drivers and software
• The usage of unsafe storage facilities and key loss or theft are mentioned in this signature
• The need for a standard that will allow these various approaches to cooperate grows greater
• Many of these technological items have a limited shelf life in this era of rapid technological innovation
• Both senders and recipients may need to purchase digital certificates in order to use a digital signature properly
• The sender and recipients must pay for verification software in order to use digital certificates
• A digital signature requires money, which is the main conduit for every business.

Validity

It has a one-year or two-year validity period. Upon expiration of the initial issuance period, the DSCs are renewed.

Type 2: Organisational DSC

The Organisational DSC is necessary for businesses, non-profit organisations, trusts, and government agencies. It includes the applicant’s name, the name of the organisation, and information on both the applicant and the organisation. This provides the right of the user on behalf of an organisation. To approve a signatory of any organisation, a DSC is granted. Class 3 digital signature includes a certificate for both encryption and signing, and is the most secure one. A document is signed with a signature certificate, and data is encrypted with an encryption certificate.

Advantages

• Cost-effective:Digitalisation has a cost, but over time you can find that you end up saving money. Paper documents can be signed digitally
• Quick turnaround:By using this digital format, every kind of document may be signed with a single mouse click. Because these codes enable dynamic approval processes on paper with a fully digital system that is speedier and less expensive
• Strengthen security:By acquiring a digital signature certificate, you can reduce the likelihood of fraud and document tampering and ensure that signatures are authentic
• Increased workflow efficiencyis guaranteed by these signatures. It is easier and quicker to manage and trail documents
• Benefits for the Environment:DSC keeps the environment clean by eliminating the need for paper and pens
• Legal Acceptability:It aids in establishing credibility that may be used in any court

Disadvantages

• The technology utilised to establish a digital signature will have a significant impact on it
• Digital signatures must adapt swiftly to stay functional if technology develops as quickly as it does
• You must buy digital certificates, which can be extremely expensive, in order to employ digital signatures
• Software for verification must also be purchased by users.

Validity

They have a validity of 1 or 2 years.

Type 3: DGFT DSC

For any organisation looking for an import or export licence, one can choose a class 3 digital signature certificate. All these applications are submitted by a representative or a signatory authority.

All documents signed using a DSC are treated similarly to those that were physically signed because the DSCs are recognised by the DGFT portals’ legal system. One can also reap the benefits that the Indian Information Technology Act 2000 bestows upon them.

Issued by the company only when a signing certificate is present. It comes into play when the DGFT portal requires a digital signature in an electronic format for transactions made using web browsers.

Advantages

• Simpler and Quicker Payment
  One can get quicker payments and can finish a sale more quickly with the aid of a digital signature certificate. Along with this, the creation of legal documents and invoices, which would have slowed on ink, can be simplified.
• saves money and time.
  In rare circumstances, numerous people may need to sign the same document. These documents would have been delivered by courier to various individuals in the past for their signature. With DSC, it is simple to submit the document to numerous persons online and get their digital signatures.
• Improved Security
  Compared to traditional pen and paper signatures, digital signatures provide more security. Pen and paper signatures are quite simple to copy. A digital signature, on the other hand, is protected from tampering because it is encrypted.
• Authenticity
  Digital signatures are accepted anywhere that pen and paper signatures were previously accepted. In every government office and in every court, DSC is admissible.

Disadvantages

Security difficulties, technological incompatibilities, and cost are some of the drawbacks of digital signatures. Although using digital signatures to protect and authenticate a communication or document is a very effective method, its benefits are limited by key loss or theft and the use of unsafe storage facilities. Additionally, there are a number of digital signature standards that are incompatible with one another, thus a standard that allows for interaction between them is important. The business has to spend more money to get the services needed for digital signatures in order to use them. This covers the cost of purchasing a Digital Signature as well as the programme that will be used to create the DSC.

Validity : DSCs are often issued with a one- or two-year validity term. These are renewed when the first issuing period ends.

Documents for Online DSC Registration

Indians wishing to apply for a DSC must provide:

• PAN Card
• Proof of Identity like a licence
• Address verification: Aadhaar card, voter ID, driver’s licence, or registration document
• Attestation from an official

Indian organisations wishing to submit an online DSC application must do the following:

• PAN within the company
• Deed of partnership, if appropriate
• Concerned person who are authorised to sign documents,
• Proof of an authorised signatory
• GST registration
• Depending on the form of entity—partnership, proprietorship, single ownership, LLP, etc.—the papers for Indian firms may vary.

When submitting a DSC online application, foreign persons and organisations must provide:

• Passport of the applicant, attested
• If the applicant is outside of their country of origin, an attested copy of their visa
• If the applicant is in India, an attested copy of the residence permit certificate
• Any government-issued address proof with an attested copy

How to record Video for DSC?

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.

e-KYC for DSC

KYC stands for Know-Your-Customer. Applicants upload Pan Card or Aadhaar XML to complete e-KYC 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 e-KYC
   • Driving License
   • Voter ID
   • Passport

Advantages of DSC Registration

• Authenticity:When transacting business online, authentication is useful for verifying the accuracy of the individual’s personal information and DSC provides greater authenticity
• Cost and time savings:You can sign PDF files digitally and send them much more quickly than you can physically sign paper copies of documents and scan them to distribute via email. It is not mandatory for a digital signature certificate holder to be present physically to conduct or authorised business
• Data integrity:Digitally signed documents cannot be changed or updated once they have been signed, making the data safe and secure. These certifications are frequently requested by government organisations in order to cross-check and confirm the business transaction
• Improved authenticity of documents:In most cases a digitally signed document provides greater assurance for the recipient that the signer is true
• They won’t have to worry about the documents being faked if they act on the basis of such documents