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Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)

Class 3 DSC for MCA, GST, Income Tax, e-Tendering & Government Portal Filings

Your Digital Identity for Secure Online Transactions

A Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is the electronic equivalent of a handwritten signature, legally recognized under the Information Technology Act, 2000. It authenticates your identity and ensures the integrity of electronically signed documents across all government and business portals in India.

Since January 1, 2021, the Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA) has mandated Class 3 DSC as the standard for all secure online transactions, discontinuing Class 2 certificates. At TaxHustler, we provide quick issuance of all types of Class 3 DSCs through authorized Certifying Authorities, along with complete installation and portal registration support.

Same Day DSC Issuance
CCA Authorized Partner
1-3 Years Validity Options
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DSC Types & Issuance DSC Applications Support Services
Category 1

DSC Types & Issuance

Class 3 Digital Signature Certificates for various business and professional needs

Class 3 Digital Signature (Individual)

Sign Only DSC for professionals & directors

Overview

Class 3 Individual DSC is the standard digital signature certificate for signing documents electronically. It provides the highest level of identity assurance through strict verification procedures including Aadhaar eKYC and video verification.

Who Needs This DSC?

  • Company Directors: For MCA/ROC filings, annual returns, incorporation documents
  • Chartered Accountants: Audit reports, Form 3CEB, tax filings, certifications
  • Company Secretaries: Secretarial compliances and filings
  • Individuals: Filing ITR where accounts are audited
  • Professionals: Lawyers, Cost Accountants for regulatory filings

Key Features

Security
  • Highest identity verification
  • Aadhaar eKYC + Video verification
  • Private key stored on USB token
  • Tamper-proof hardware
Legal Validity
  • IT Act 2000 compliant
  • Equivalent to handwritten signature
  • Accepted by all govt portals
  • Court admissible
Usability
  • Multi-portal registration
  • Offline signing capability
  • Works on PDF & documents
  • Re-registrable on renewal

Issuance Process

1 Submit application with PAN & Aadhaar details
2 Complete Aadhaar OTP verification
3 Video verification with original PAN card
4 DSC issued and downloaded to USB token

Documents Required

  • PAN Card (original for video verification)
  • Aadhaar Card (for eKYC)
  • Passport-size photograph
  • Mobile number linked to Aadhaar
  • Email address
Validity Options 1, 2, or 3 Years
Issuance Time Same Day

Class 3 Combo DSC (Sign & Encrypt)

Dual-purpose for e-tendering & encryption

Overview

Class 3 Combo DSC combines both signing and encryption capabilities in a single certificate. It allows you to digitally sign documents for authentication AND encrypt sensitive data for confidentiality - essential for e-tendering and secure communications.

Sign vs Encrypt: Key Differences

Signing Certificate
  • Authenticates your identity
  • Ensures document integrity
  • Proves document is unaltered
  • Used for approvals & filings
Encryption Certificate
  • Converts data to unreadable format
  • Only recipient can decrypt
  • Ensures confidentiality
  • Used for sensitive bids
Combo (Both)
  • Signs AND encrypts
  • Two key pairs on one token
  • Complete security solution
  • Required for most tenders

Mandatory For

  • E-Tendering Portals: Technical bid signing + financial bid encryption
  • Government e-Marketplace (GeM): Seller registration and bid participation
  • IREPS (Indian Railways): Railway tender participation
  • CPPP: Central Public Procurement Portal tenders
  • State e-Procurement: Various state government portals
  • Confidential Communications: Secure document exchange

Technical Specifications

  • Two separate key pairs stored on same USB token
  • SHA-256 hashing algorithm
  • RSA 2048-bit key length
  • CCA compliant encryption standards
Certificate Type Sign + Encrypt
Primary Use E-Tendering

Organization DSC

DSC in company/organization name

Overview

Organization DSC is issued in the name of a company or organization rather than an individual. The certificate displays both the organization name and the authorized signatory's name, providing organizational identity for official communications and document signing.

Certificate Contains

  • Organization name (as registered)
  • Authorized signatory's name
  • Organization's PAN or CIN
  • Signatory's designation
  • Validity period

Who Uses Organization DSC?

  • Companies: For official communications requiring organizational identity
  • Enterprises: Bulk document signing with company branding
  • Government Departments: Official notifications and orders
  • Banks & Financial Institutions: Digitally signed statements

Types Available

Indian Organization DSC
  • For Indian registered entities
  • Companies, LLPs, Trusts
  • Requires CIN/Registration
  • Indian PAN mandatory
Foreign Organization DSC
  • For foreign companies in India
  • Requires incorporation proof
  • Liaison/Branch offices
  • India presence documentation

Documents Required

  • Company incorporation certificate / CIN
  • GST registration certificate
  • Board resolution / Authorization letter
  • Signatory's PAN & Aadhaar
  • Organization's PAN card
  • Company letterhead request
Certificate Name Organization + Signatory
Best For Corporate Identity

DGFT DSC (Import-Export)

For IEC holders & foreign trade operations

Overview

DGFT DSC is a Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate used specifically for operations on the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) portal. It is mandatory for all import-export businesses holding an IEC (Importer-Exporter Code) for conducting online transactions on the DGFT platform.

Mandatory For

  • IEC Application: New Importer-Exporter Code registration
  • IEC Modification: Amendment of existing IEC details
  • License Applications: SCOMET, EPCG, Advance Authorization
  • Certificate of Origin: Digital signing of COO
  • DGFT Transactions: All online operations on DGFT portal
  • Export Benefits: Claiming incentives and duty drawback

Key Requirements

Certificate Type
  • Must be Class 3 DSC
  • Class 2 not accepted
  • Sign only is sufficient
  • Encryption not mandatory
Name Requirements
  • Must match IEC holder name
  • Or authorized signatory
  • As per DGFT records
  • No spelling variations

Registration on DGFT Portal

1 Login to DGFT portal with IEC credentials
2 Navigate to Profile > DSC Registration
3 Upload DSC and complete Aadhaar OTP verification
4 DSC mapped to IEC and ready for use

Important Notes

  • Same DSC can be used for DGFT and other portals (MCA, GST, IT)
  • Must be in name of IEC holder or authorized signatory only
  • Aadhaar authentication available as alternative to DSC for some operations
  • Keep DSC validity aligned with business requirements
Portal DGFT
User Type IEC Holders
Category 2

DSC Applications

Use your Digital Signature across government portals and e-tendering platforms

DSC for Government Portals

MCA, GST, Income Tax, EPFO & more

Overview

Class 3 DSC is required for digital filings across various government portals in India. Once issued, the same DSC can be registered on multiple portals, making it a one-time investment for compliance across all regulatory platforms.

Supported Government Portals

MCA (Ministry of Corporate Affairs)
  • Company incorporation
  • Annual ROC filings
  • DIR-3 KYC
  • Form uploads & signing
Income Tax Portal
  • ITR filing (audit cases)
  • Response to notices
  • Refund reissue requests
  • Form verification
GST Portal
  • Registration amendments
  • Refund applications
  • LUT filing
  • Appeal submissions
EPFO Portal
  • Employer registration
  • ECR filing
  • PF withdrawals
  • Compliance filings
Trademark & Patent
  • TM application filing
  • Patent applications
  • IP registrations
  • Opposition filings
ICEGATE (Customs)
  • Import-export declarations
  • Bill of entry
  • Shipping bills
  • Customs filings

General Registration Process

1 Install emsigner utility / Java Runtime Environment
2 Login to respective government portal
3 Navigate to DSC registration section in profile/settings
4 Plug in USB token and select certificate
5 Complete verification (OTP if required)

Common Issues & Solutions

  • Token not detected: Install/update USB token drivers
  • Certificate not found: Check emsigner utility installation
  • Browser compatibility: Use IE mode or recommended browser
  • Signing failure: Verify Java settings and security permissions
  • PIN errors: Reset PIN through token management software
Portals Supported 10+ Major Portals
Single DSC Multi-Portal Use

DSC for e-Tendering & e-Procurement

GeM, IREPS, CPPP & state portals

Overview

E-tendering portals require Class 3 DSC for vendor registration, bid submission, and participation in government tenders and auctions. Most portals mandate Combo DSC (Sign + Encrypt) for complete functionality including encrypted financial bid submissions.

Major E-Tendering Portals

GeM (Govt e-Marketplace)
  • Seller registration
  • Product listing
  • Bid participation
  • Contract signing
IREPS (Indian Railways)
  • Vendor registration
  • Railway tender bids
  • E-auction participation
  • Material procurement
CPPP (Central Portal)
  • Central govt tenders
  • Ministry procurements
  • PSU tenders
  • Consolidated bidding
State Portals
  • State govt tenders
  • Municipal procurements
  • State PSU tenders
  • Regional projects

DSC Requirements for Tendering

  • Class 3 Combo (Sign + Encrypt): Required for most portals
  • Sign Only: Accepted on some portals for basic operations
  • Valid Certificate: Must not be expired at time of bid submission
  • Compatible Token: USB token recognized by portal
  • Pre-Registration: DSC must be registered before tender deadline

Vendor Registration Requirements

  • Valid Class 3 DSC (preferably Combo)
  • Company registration documents (CoI, GST, PAN)
  • Bank account details and cancelled cheque
  • Authorized signatory details
  • Portal-specific documentation as required

Technical Requirements

  • Java Runtime Environment (JRE 32-bit) for most portals
  • Internet Explorer or Edge in IE mode
  • USB token drivers installed
  • emsigner or portal-specific utilities
  • Adequate internet connectivity
DSC Type Required Class 3 Combo
Registration Time 3-5 Working Days
Category 3

Support Services

DSC renewal, installation support, and troubleshooting assistance

DSC Renewal

Renew expiring or expired DSC

Overview

Digital Signature Certificates have a validity of 1, 2, or 3 years and need to be renewed before or after expiry to continue using them for online filings. As per CCA guidelines, renewal requires fresh identity verification - the existing certificate cannot simply be extended.

When to Renew

  • Best Practice: Renew 10-15 days before expiry to avoid disruption
  • After Expiry: Can be renewed even after expiration
  • Cannot Extend: A new DSC is issued, old one cannot be extended
  • Plan Ahead: Consider upcoming compliance deadlines when timing renewal

Important Rules

Name Requirement
  • Must remain exactly same
  • No name changes allowed
  • Name change = new DSC
  • Match with PAN/Aadhaar
Verification Required
  • Fresh Aadhaar eKYC
  • Video verification again
  • CCA mandate for security
  • Cannot skip verification

USB Token Compatibility for Renewal

  • Reusable Tokens: Proxkey Watchdata (WD series), ePass2003 (HS series), HYP2003 (HS series)
  • How to Check: Look at token serial number - if it starts with HS or WD, it's reusable
  • Non-compatible: Older tokens may require new token purchase during renewal

Renewal Process

1 Check token compatibility (serial number HS or WD)
2 Submit renewal application with PAN & Aadhaar
3 Complete Aadhaar OTP and video verification
4 New certificate downloaded to existing/new token

Post-Renewal Steps (Important!)

  • Re-register on all portals: MCA, GST, Income Tax, EPFO, etc.
  • Old registration invalid: Previous DSC registration won't work
  • Update systems: Any software using DSC needs reconfiguration
  • Test before deadline: Verify signing works before important filings
Best Time 10-15 Days Before Expiry
Process Time Same Day

DSC Registration & Support

Installation, troubleshooting & assistance

Overview

Getting your DSC to work correctly across all required portals can be challenging due to varying technical requirements, browser compatibility issues, and utility installations. We provide comprehensive support to ensure your DSC works seamlessly for all your compliance needs.

Services Included

USB Token Setup
  • Driver installation
  • Windows 7/8/10/11 support
  • Token initialization
  • PIN configuration
Software Installation
  • Java Runtime Environment
  • emsigner utility
  • Portal-specific tools
  • Browser plugins
Browser Configuration
  • IE mode setup in Edge
  • Security settings
  • Trusted sites configuration
  • Pop-up permissions
Portal Registration
  • Step-by-step guidance
  • DSC upload assistance
  • Verification completion
  • Testing & confirmation

Common Issues We Resolve

  • "Token not detected": Driver issues, USB port problems, token hardware
  • "Certificate not found": emsigner not running, certificate not loaded
  • "Signing failed": Java issues, browser security blocks
  • "Browser compatibility": Wrong browser, missing IE mode
  • "PIN lockout": PIN reset procedures, token management
  • "Portal registration errors": Utility conflicts, system requirements
  • "Certificate expired" during signing: Renewal and re-registration

Remote Support Available

For complex technical issues, we offer screen-sharing remote assistance where our experts can directly help configure your system, install required software, and troubleshoot problems in real-time.

Supported Platforms

  • Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, 11 (32-bit and 64-bit)
  • All major USB token brands (ePass, Proxkey, Watchdata, eMudhra)
  • Internet Explorer, Edge (IE mode), Chrome (where supported)
  • All major government and e-tendering portals
Support Type Phone + Remote
Resolution Same Day

DSC Types Comparison

Choose the right Digital Signature Certificate for your needs

DSC Type Use Case Sign Encrypt Validity Best For
Class 3 Individual (Sign) Document signing Yes No 1-3 years Directors, CAs, Individuals
Class 3 Combo e-Tendering Yes Yes 1-3 years Tender participants
Organization DSC Company signing Yes Optional 1-3 years Bulk document signing
DGFT DSC Import-Export Yes No 1-3 years IEC holders

USB Token DSC vs Aadhaar eSign

Understanding the difference between physical DSC and cloud-based eSign

Feature USB Token DSC Aadhaar eSign
Physical Device Required (USB token) Not required
Security Level Class 3 (Highest) Equivalent to Class 2
Validity 1-3 years Per transaction
Government Portals Accepted on all Limited acceptance
e-Tendering Mandatory Not accepted
Offline Use Yes No (needs internet)
Cost Model One-time for validity Per transaction
Best For Regular/bulk signing Occasional one-time

Note: For compliance filings (MCA, GST, Income Tax) and e-tendering, USB Token DSC is recommended. Aadhaar eSign is suitable only for occasional, non-regulatory document signing.

Legal Framework & Validity

Digital Signature Certificates in India are governed by the Information Technology Act, 2000 and are legally equivalent to handwritten signatures. The Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA) under the Ministry of Electronics and IT regulates the issuance of DSCs through licensed Certifying Authorities.

Licensed CAs: eMudhra, Capricorn, NSDL, Sify, NCode, and others
Current Standard: Class 3 DSC (Class 2 discontinued from 01.01.2021)
Admissibility: Court admissible as evidence under IT Act

Why Choose TaxHustler for Digital Signatures

Quick issuance, expert support, and hassle-free compliance

Same Day Issuance

Get your DSC issued within hours, not days

CCA Authorized

Partner with licensed Certifying Authorities

All DSC Types

Individual, Combo, Organization, DGFT - all available

Installation Support

Complete setup assistance for drivers and utilities

Portal Registration

Help registering DSC on all required portals

Renewal Reminders

Timely alerts before your DSC expires

Remote Support

Screen-sharing assistance for troubleshooting

Competitive Pricing

Best rates for all DSC types and validity periods

Ready to Simplify Your Compliance?

Let our experts handle your tax, GST, and compliance matters while you focus on growing your business.

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