Digital Signature Certificates (DSC) are the digital equivalent (that is electronic format) of physical or paper certificates. Few Examples of physical certificates are drivers' licenses, passports or membership cards. Certificates serve as proof of identity of an individual for a certain purpose; for example, a driver's license identifies someone who can legally drive in a particular country. Likewise, a digital certificate can be presented electronically to prove one’s identity, to access information or services on the Internet or to sign certain documents digitally.

Physical documents are signed manually, similarly, electronic documents, for example e-forms are required to be signed digitally using a Digital Signature Certificate.

A licensed Certifying Authority (CA) issues the digital signature. Certifying Authority (CA) means a person who has been granted a license to issue a digital signature certificate under Section 24 of the Indian IT-Act 2000.

The person or organization should get a Class 2 or Class 3 DSC that has been legitimately granted by a Certifying Authority or CA with a valid license before fulfilling any MCA e-filing requirements.

DSC of Class 2 and Class 3 category issued by a licensed Certifying Authority (CA) needs to be obtained for e-filing on the MCA Portal.

No. There is no need stated in any law that states only those possessing DIN are eligible to apply for DSC.

A DSC could be issued in as little as three days or as much as seven.

Yes, according to the terms of the applicable law, DSC has legal standing and is admissible in the national court of law.

The time generally taken by CAs to issue a DSC may vary from three to seven working days. Also on fulfilment of terms and conditions DSC is issued by some CA’s on same day based on eKYC for Aadhaar Holders.

The Certifying Authorities are authorized to issue a Digital Signature Certificate with a validity of one or two years.