The digital equivalent of a handwritten signature or stamped seal but offering far more inherent security, a digital signature is intended to solve the problem of tampering and impersonation in digital communications. (DSC) Digital signatures can provide the added assurances of evidence of origin, identity, and status of an electronic document, transaction, or message, as well as acknowledging informed consent by the signer.
To create a digital signature, signing software (such as an email program) creates a one-way hash of the electronic data to be signed. The private key is then used to encrypt the hash. The encrypted hash — along with other information, such as the hashing algorithm — is the digital signature.
Process for Registration of Digital Signature Certificate
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has appointed the following authorities as certifying authorities for obtaining DSC: National Informatics Centre, IDRBT, Safe Script, nCode, Tata Consultancy Services, NC-Code, and e-Mudhra.
Nowadays, DSC is mandatory for Company registration and Filing Annual Returns, so for incorporating a company, all the respected documents must have the company’s DSC.
DSC can be obtained by submitting the required original documents to the Certifying authorities.
DSCs are valid for one or two years, as per the terms of application, and can be renewed.
Documents required to be submitted to Certifying Authorities
- Hard copy of the filled class II form
- Identity proof: PAN Card, In case of foreign nationals, a copy of passport
- Address proof: Copy of passport/ voter ID/ Ration Card/ Utilities Bill/Driver’s License / AADHAAR card.
