How To Get A Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)?

A Digital Signature Certificate (called 'DSC' herein and after for brevity) is basically a secure digital key for validating and certifying the identity of the person. Since the Information Technology, 2000 has necessitated the use of DSC for submitting documents online, it is important to understand how does one get a DSC.  

Logon to the website of a Certifying Authority [List of approved CAs as of 02.01.2020 is provided at the end of the article.] We will use the example of E-Mudhra.  

- Click on 'Buy Digital Certificate'

- Select the 'Usage Type', [Note: whatever option you select, different radio buttons are automatically selected, making your job easier] 

- Select the 'Class Type', i.e. Class 2 vs. Class 3 [Note: you need Class 3 for e-tendering process, else a basic Class 2 is fine. And obviously Class 3 is slightly more expensive] 

- Select the 'User Type', i.e. Individual vs. Organisation 

- Select the 'Certificate Validity', i.e. 1 year, 2 years, or 3 years

- Select the 'Certificate Type', i.e. Signature, Encryption or Both

Once you have selected the above options, you have two ways to proceed now: 

1) Paperless (i.e. Online) using either the Aadhaar Card No. or PAN Card No.

2) Physical Document Submission, wherein you can download the form and then submit the hard copies. Although, here too you have two options. You can either courier the documents yourself or select 'Pickup at doorstep' where the documents will be picked up from your home. Although please note, this service is only available for select cities. 

Make Payment and that's it. In usually 3-7 days, you will have your very own DSC. 

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(Note: There are different Certified Authorities (CA) who have been granted a licence to issue a digital signature certificate under Section 24 of the IT Act, 2000.)  

List of Approved CAs: [Source: MCA website]

1) National Informatics Center (NIC) 

2) IDRBT Certifying Authority 

3) SafeScrypt CA Services, Sify Communications Ltd. 

4) (n) Code Solutions CA 

5) E-Mudhra 

6) CDAC

7) NSDL

8) Capricorn

9) Verasys

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Dr. Mallika Nawal, Advocate 

PhD, IIT Kharagpur

mallika_nawal@yahoo.com