Types of Digital Signature Certificate

The Information Technology Act of 2000 contains provisions for using digital signatures on submissions made in the electronic form to assure the security and validity of those records. This is a safe and secure method of submitting a document online. As a result, all filings made by companies/LLPs under the MCA21 e-Government initiative must be signed using Digital Signatures by the person whose signature is specified. Thus, digital signature certificates are very crucial. In this article, we will understand DSC and the types of Digital Signature certificates. We will also understand the Types of Digital Signature Certificate.

What is a Digital Signature Certificate?

A confirmed digital key that verifies the authenticity of user data is referred to as a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC). A Digital Signature Certificate has details like Name, APNIC Account Name, Public Key, Email Address, and Country of Origin. The Certifying Authority (CA) can only issue Digital Signature Certificates.

In other words, by acquiring DSC, You may get rid of manual physical signatures and documents. DSC can also be used to engage in contracts with a variety of commercial enterprises.  It’s like having a virtual signature that you may use to sign your documents easily.

What are the types of Digital Signature Certificate?

The Digital Signature Certificates are categorized into three main categories. The three main types of Digital Signature certificates are as follows.

• Class 1 Digital Signature Certificate

Firstly, Individuals and private persons are given Class 1 Certificates. This certificate verifies that the individual’s data matches and is in line with the data he or she has entered into multiple databases online. The Class 1 Digital Signature Certificate also verifies the user’s email address and name against the CA database.

• Class 2 Digital Signature Certificate

Individuals and businesses alike are offered Class 2 Certificates. Along with Email Ids and Names, it investigates additional facts and compares them to the user’s information stored in the CA database. The Class 2 DSC is mandatory for individuals who need to sign ROC Returns.

Important Note: The Controller of Certifying Authority has discontinued Class 2 Digital Signature Certificates. As a result, people now will need a Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate.

• Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate 

Various organizations, businesses, and people can get a Class 3 Certificate. These certifications, on the other hand, are more important for e-commerce applications. It may also be used to bid on government tenders and other online auctions.

Vendors that desire to engage in online tenders or persons obliged to sign ROC Forms must now get a Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate.

Now that we know the types of Digital Signature Certificate, Let us now understand the benefits of the same.

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Benefits of Digital Signature Certificate 

Digital Signature Certificates offer several benefits. The most crucial ones are mentioned below.

• DSC adds an extra layer of safety and security to online banking transactions by digitally validating transactions and encrypting data so that only the intended recipients may see it.
• Similarly, With the aid of these digital signature certificates, the authorization procedure becomes easier.
• Encrypt DSC can only be used to encrypt a document; it is commonly used in tender portals to assist corporations in encrypting and uploading documents. As a result, the papers signed by DSC are irreversible, preventing misleading alterations or claims in commercial transactions.
• The applicant can save money if he or she chooses the PAN-based Paperless DSC. The Pan-based Paperless DSC is easy to get, quick to process and is followed by a short video verification in which the applicant must reflect their PAN card in the video. Thus, DSC can be obtained from the comfort of home.

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