A Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is a secure digital equivalent of a physical (wet) signature. It is used to electronically authenticate the identity of the signer and ensure the integrity of documents and data shared online.

An individual or an organization becomes eligible to digitally sign documents only after registering with a Certifying Authority (CA). A Certifying Authority is a trusted organization licensed by the Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA) under the Information Technology Act, 2000. Only those organizations licensed by the CCA are legally allowed to issue DSCs in India. Most applicants now obtain a Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate, which is valid for 1 Year, 2 Year or 3 Years. Areas of usage e-Filing of income tax and GST, MCA compliance and company registration, e-Tendering and government bidding, Secure email communication and Signing PDFs and other documents

A Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is the most secure form of digital signature currently available in India. It is mandatory for individuals and organizations involved in a wide range of online regulatory and commercial activities.