What is a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) and who needs one?
A DSC is the electronic equivalent of your signature and ID proof. Here is what it does and who needs it.
A Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is a secure digital key issued by a government-authorised Certifying Authority. It proves who you are online and lets you sign electronic documents so that they are accepted as genuine.
A DSC gives you three things: authenticity (the document really comes from you), integrity (it has not been changed after signing) and non-repudiation (you cannot later deny having signed it).
Who needs a DSC?
- Taxpayers and professionals filing on the Income Tax portal
- Businesses filing GST returns
- Directors and company secretaries filing on the MCA portal
- Employers filing with EPFO
- Companies and contractors bidding on e-tenders and the GeM portal
- Importers and exporters using DGFT and ICEGATE
- Anyone who signs invoices or PDFs digitally
Most DSCs are stored on a small USB token. You plug the token into your computer, enter your PIN and sign. The certificate is valid for a fixed period (commonly one, two or three years) and has to be renewed before it expires.
Need help choosing or applying? Call or WhatsApp us on +91 76240 20836 and we will guide you step by step.