How to Get a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) Online in India: Types, Process and Fees
- Kaustav Chowdhury
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
A Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is the electronic equivalent of a physical signature, legally recognised under Section 3 of the Information Technology Act, 2000, for authenticating electronic records. In India, DSCs are mandatory for filing company documents with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), filing GST returns for companies and LLPs, participating in e-tendering and government procurement, and filing patent and trademark applications with the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM). Since January 1, 2021, only Class 3 DSCs are issued in India; Class 2 DSCs were discontinued by the Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA) from that date.
Legal Framework: IT Act Sections 3 and 35
Section 3 of the IT Act establishes that any subscriber may authenticate an electronic record by affixing a digital signature. The provision relies on asymmetric cryptography (public key infrastructure), where a private key creates the signature and the corresponding public key allows any recipient to verify it. Electronic records authenticated via digital signature have the same legal validity as their paper-based counterparts.
Section 35 governs the issuance of DSCs by licensed Certifying Authorities (CAs). Any person may apply to a CA in the prescribed form. The CA is required to verify that the applicant holds the private key corresponding to the public key listed in the certificate, and that the key pair is capable of creating and verifying a digital signature. The application fee cannot exceed Rs 25,000, though different fees may be prescribed for different classes of applicants.
Types of DSC: Class 3 Is Now the Only Standard
Prior to January 2021, DSCs were issued in three classes. Class 1 provided basic assurance with email validation only. Class 2 provided medium assurance with identity verification against a trusted database. Class 3 required the highest level of assurance, including in-person or video verification of the applicant's identity.
On November 26, 2020, the CCA issued guidelines directing all Certifying Authorities to stop issuing Class 2 DSCs (fresh or renewal) from January 1, 2021. Class 3 now serves as the universal standard, valid for all purposes including MCA filing, GST registration and returns, e-tendering, income tax filing, ICEGATE, PF submissions, and IPR filings. Video KYC is mandatory under current CCA Identity Verification Guidelines (Version 2.5, February 2026) for all DSC applications.
Step-by-Step Process for Obtaining a DSC Online
Step 1: Choose a licensed Certifying Authority. The CCA website (cca.gov.in) maintains a list of all licensed CAs in India. The major CAs include eMudhra, Sify (Safescrypt, India's first licensed CA), nCode Solutions, Capricorn, and VSign.
Step 2: Visit the CA's website and select the type of DSC you need (individual or organisation, signing or encryption, or both). Choose the validity period: 1, 2, or 3 years.
Step 3: Fill in the online application form with your personal details (name, address, email, mobile number), PAN number, and the purpose of the DSC.
Step 4: Upload supporting documents. Typically required: PAN card copy, Aadhaar card or passport, a recent passport-size photograph, and address proof.
Step 5: Complete Video KYC verification. Under the current CCA guidelines, you will be required to complete a live video verification with the CA's verification officer.
Step 6: Pay the fee. Current prices for a Class 3 DSC range from approximately Rs 1,500 to Rs 5,000 for one-year validity, and up to Rs 6,000 or more for two years. USB tokens (required for storing the DSC) are charged separately. GST at 18 per cent applies on all fees.
Step 7: Download your DSC. After verification is complete (typically within 1 to 3 working days), you will receive an email with download instructions. The DSC is installed on a USB crypto token.
For the MCA filing framework that requires DSC: Annual MCA Compliance for Private Companies 2026: Deadlines and Penalties.
Common Uses of a DSC in India
MCA V3 Portal: Directors, designated partners, company secretaries, and chartered accountants must register their DSC on the MCA portal before filing any e-form. GST: Companies and LLPs are required to use a DSC for filing GST returns. E-Tendering: Government procurement portals (GeM, CPPP, state e-procurement) require Class 3 DSCs for all bid submissions. IPR Filing: Patent and trademark applications on the CGPDTM portal require a Class 3 DSC. Income Tax: Filing returns using a DSC is mandatory for companies and tax audit cases. Banking and Foreign Trade: ICEGATE (customs), DGFT (import-export licences), and several banking portals require DSC-based authentication.
For company incorporation that requires DSC registration: How to Register a Company in India Under the Companies Act 2013: Complete Guide.
Validity and Renewal
DSCs are valid for 1, 2, or 3 years from the date of issuance, as per CCA guidelines. When a DSC expires, it must be renewed through the same CA or a different licensed CA. The renewal process requires fresh Video KYC verification and payment of the applicable fee. It is advisable to initiate renewal 30 to 45 days before expiry to avoid disruption to filing obligations.
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This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, consult a qualified advocate.
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