What is a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)?
A Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is a secure digital key that certifies the identity of the holder, issued from a Certifying Authority (CA). It typically contains your identity (name, email, country, APNIC account name and your public key). Digital Certificates use Public Key Infrastructure meaning data so that has been digitally signed or encrypted by a private key can only through decrypted by its corresponding public key. A digital certificate is an electronic “credit card” that establishes in your credentials when doing business or other transactions on the Web.
How much does a digital signature cost?
The DSC is typically issued with one and two year validity. It includes the cost of medium (a UBS token which is a onetime cost) the cost of issuance of Digital Signature and the renewal cost after the period of validity. The issuance costs in respect of each Certification Agency vary and are market driven.
What happens after 1 year, 2 years, 3 years digital signature certificate?
After expiry of the validity period, the digital signature certificate becomes invalid. You can then obtain a valid digital signature certificate by following the same simple procedure.
How does Digital Signature Work?
Digital Signature Certificate, in simple terms, is a file created by a Licensed Certifying Authority through encryption and is then issued to you, in the USB eToken. When signing any particular document this file is accessed, which acts like a ‘key’ (Private Key) and locks & secures the document being signed (through encryption). [This is similar to using a key in a physical lock to secure your valuables in a bank locker – a lock can only be opened by its own key].
It also adds a key code (known as public key) which is the same key that resides in the certifying authority server, thereby allowing the other party to validate the authenticity of your DSC.
Contrary to popular myth, the DSC does NOT contain a scanned copy of your physical signature.
What are uses of Digital Signature certificates?
A digital signature is a way to ensure that an electronic document (e-mail, spreadsheet, text file, etc.) is authentic, Authentic means that you know who created the document and you know that it has not been altered in any way since that person created it. Digital signature Certificates are used to sign electronic documents and Digital signatures rely on certain types of encryption to ensure authentication.
What are uses of Digital Signature Certificates in India?
In India, DSC was first used by Registrar of Companies (ROC) when the Ministry of Company Affairs transitioned into e-filing of statutory returns. The benefit accrued through the same was adopted by other government agencies in India and today it’s being widely used. Some of the popular uses of DSC are as below:
- e-filing of Income Tax Returns: An assesses can file his/her Income Tax Return online and those who sign their returns digitally do not have to send the physical copies of the same to the Income Tax Department for verification.
- e-filing of Company Returns (ROC): To ensure statutory compliance for companies in India, the Registrar of Companies (ROC) has now made e-filing mandatory and a DSC is required to do the same.
- e-tender / e-Procurement: Many of the state governments as well as other government agencies in India have transitioned to e-procurement and you need a DSC to bid for tenders online.
What is the difference between a Digital Signature and a Digital Signature Certificate?
A digital signature is an electronic method of signing an electronic document whereas a Digital Signature Certificate is a computer based record that
- Identifies the Certifying Authority issuing it.
- Have the name and other details that can identify the subscriber.
- Contains the subscriber’s public key.
- Is digitally signed by the Certifying Authority issuing it.
- Is valid for either one year or two years.
What is a Registration Authority (RA)?
A RA (Registration Authority) is an agent of the Certifying Authority who collects the application forms and related documents for DSC, verifies the information submitted and approves or rejects the application based on the results of the verification process.
Can two or more people have the same digital signature?
No, a digital signature is unique and thus two or more individuals/entities cannot have the same digital signature.
Which type of digital signature is provided by you (Digital Signature Gallery)?
We provide the following type of digital signatures:
- Class 2 Individual (i.e. class 2a)
- Class 2 Organization (i.e. class 2b)
- Class 3 Individual (i.e. class 3a)
- Class 3 Organization (i.e. class 3b)
- DGFT
Who is the certifying authority of the digital signatures provided by you?
Our digital signatures are certified by Capricorn Identity Services Pvt. Ltd.
My DSC has expired? How do I renew my DSC?
Digital Signature Certificate can be renewed by re-submitting your valid Identity & Address proof along with the renewal form and appropriate fees. A new set of Public-Private Key is issued to you along with the certificate. A DSC of any Certifying Authority can be renewed by e-Mudhra.
What are USB / eToken? What is the benefit of getting eToken for DSC?
USB eToken is a security device (looks similar to pen drive) which securely stores your Digital Signature Certificate. However, e-TOKEN IS NOT A PEN-DRIVE!! It contains a smart-card chip that attaches in the USB Port.
Benefits of using eToken:
- Identifies the Certifying Authority issuing it.
- Security: Once a DSC is imported into an e-Token, it is impossible to fetch it out or copy it even if you have complete control of the token.
- Mobility: e-Token ensures that the DSC can be used in multiple computers without compromising security; a person is not stuck up with a single computer.
- Safety: e-Token cannot be infected by viruses and hence will be safe until its validity.
- Is valid for either one year or two years.
On the contrary, the use of DSC without the eToken / Smart Card, will compromise security because it requires you to install and copy your DSC in a computer. This is NOT recommended or safe method of use, if you are in a public environment i.e. using a Cyber Cafe / other person’s computer / other people have access to your computer. A copy of the DSC will be stored in that computer unless you delete it after every use from that computer.
Is digital signature certificate mandatory for income tax?
Yes, Digital Signature Certificate is a mandatory at Income Tax Department for all the Individual, Companies, Partnership firm, HUF, BOI, Chartered Accountant, Tax Practitioner etc who are coming under preview of Tax Audit or professional doing tax audit. A valid Class 2 Digital Signature Certificate is require for the same. A Tax Payer who is not coming under the TAX Audit, may also file the return through Digital Signature Certificate and no need to send receipt in acknowledgement by post into CPC Bangalore. If an Assess is using Digital Signature Certificate for Filing, Returns accepts immediately.
Is digital signature certificate mandatory for income tax?
Yes, Digital Signature Certificate is a mandatory at Income Tax Department for all the Individual, Companies, Partnership firm, HUF, BOI, Chartered Accountant, Tax Practitioner etc who are coming under preview of Tax Audit or professional doing tax audit. A valid Class 2 Digital Signature Certificate is require for the same. A Tax Payer who is not coming under the TAX Audit, may also file the return through Digital Signature Certificate and no need to send receipt in acknowledgement by post into CPC Bangalore. If an Assess is using Digital Signature Certificate for Filing, Returns accepts immediately.
Is digital signature mandatory for trademark registration?
Class 3 A/B Digital Signature Certificates (DSC) for Patent / Trademark, IPO, Copyright. Department of Patent Designs and also Trademark initiated an online filing facility for users who wish to apply for Trademark, Patent. Controller General for Patent Designs and Trademark mandate dsc to file Trademark / Patent application filing by an individual. Any individualistic person / Org can apply for patent/ trademark online with Class 3 Digital Signature – Signing Only.
What is Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate?
Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate provide the highest level of assurance and are used for E-Auctions, E-Tendering, e-Procurement And e-Ticketing. Class 3 Digital Signature Certificates ensures secure transactions, transparency. Class 3 Digital Signature come in three validity, 1 Years, 2 Years and 3 Years. Users can buy class 3 digital signature certificate issued by Capricorn CA at Digital Signature Mart.
Why do I need a Digital Signature Certificate?
Digital Signature Certificates (DSC) are the digital equivalent (that is electronic format) of physical or paper certificates. Few Examples of physical certificates are drivers’ licenses, passports or membership cards. A Digital Signature Certificate authenticates your identity electronically. It also provides you with a high level of security for your online transactions by ensuring absolute privacy of the information exchanged using a digital certificate. You can use digital certificates to encrypt information such that only the intended recipient can read it. You can digitally sign information to assure the recipient that it has not been changed in transit, and also verify your identity as the sender of the message.
What is Document Signer Certificate
The Document Signer Certificates are issued to organizational software applications for operating automatically to authenticate documents/information attributed to the organization by using Digital Signature applied on the document, documents/Information.
What is a Certifying Authority?
Certifying authorities play a very important role in the process of obtaining the Digital Signature Certificates (DSC) by an applicant. They are responsible for verification and issuance of digital signature certificates. They act as a trusted third party who is trusted by the holder of Digital Signature Certificate and receiver of the documents which are signed by Digital Signature Certificate. Certifying Authorities can also create a sub Certifying Authority under them, however, they are not independent legal entities. The Certifying Authorities must keep the application form of DSC for 7 years after expiry of the Digital Signature Certificates.
Are all classes of certificates required to be issued by all the Certifying Authorities?
It is not mandatory for a certifying authority to issue all classes of certificates. They can choose to issue the any class or classes of Digital Signature Certificates. They are only allowed to issue the certificates to those allowed by Controller of Certifying Authorities and specified in the India PKI CP.