digital signature certificate uses
Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) types and it uses

All digital signatures in this website refer to legally valid digital signature certificates issued by Govt. approved Certifying Authorities (CA) in India. They do not refer to images of hand written signatures or those generated online (commonly known as digital signatures) which are not issued by any CA in India.

As per new CCA India guidelines, Class 2 DSC has been discontinued and only Class 3 DSC is being issued with effect from 1st January 2021.

Common Usage

MCA

A Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate is mandatory for e-Filing on the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), or Registrar of Companies.

Income Tax

E-Filing is mandatory for all the individuals/professionals and businesses who are required to be audited under 44AB under Income-tax Act. A Class 3 Digital Signature is required for the same.

CERSAI 2.0

For accessing CERSAI 2.0 application by Banks and other Financial Institutions, a valid Class 3 Signing Digital Signature Individual is required for its primary users. Get a Class 3 Digital Signature now. Select Signing, Individual certificate and proceed.

e-Tendering / e-Procurement

e-Procurement is the process of procuring goods or services by different organisations including Govt. departments by way of online e-tenders. Digital Signatures used for this purpose usually includes both Signing certificate and Encryption certificates depending on usage specified by various portals.  Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate with both Signing and Encryption certificates are recommended. Some portals may use only Signing certificates.

Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)

DGFT has mandated the use of Digital Signature Certificates for the purpose of electronic upload of documents in the DGFT portal by Exporters/Importers (EXIM organisations). A special Class 2 digital signature is used for this purpose known as DGFT Digital Signature Certificate (Ex: SafeExim by Sify SafeScrypt) and is issued to applicants with additional Organisation details like Organisation Name, IEC Code etc., included in the certificate.

ICEGATE

Indian Customs Electronic Gateway (ICEGATE) is the portal of Indian Customs under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). ICEGATE provides e-filing services including Bill of Entry (import goods declaration), Shipping Bills (export goods declaration), e-Payment of Customs Duty.

ICEGATE also provides other services like e-payment of Central Excise and Service Tax, on-line registration for IPR, Document Tracking status at Customs EDI, online verification of DEPB/DES/EPCG licenses, IE code status, PAN based CHA data, IGST Refund Status etc.,

ICEGATE requires a Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate (recommended product is Signing & Encryption certificate for Individuals)