What is DSC?
- Bhavik Naiya
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
DSC stands for Digital Signature Certificate.
It is the digital equivalent of a physical signature or identity card. It is a secure electronic key that is used to validate and verify the identity of the person holding the certificate.
Aspect | Description |
Legal Status | In many jurisdictions (like India under the IT Act, 2000), a DSC-signed electronic document has the same legal validity as a physically signed, paper document. |
Identity Authentication | It electronically proves that you are who you claim to be when conducting online business. It contains information about the user, like their name, email, and public key. |
Data Integrity | When you digitally sign a document, the DSC ensures that the document cannot be altered or tampered with after signing. If any change is made, the signature becomes invalid, ensuring the document's integrity. |
Non-Repudiation | The signer cannot deny having signed the document, as the digital signature provides undeniable cryptographic proof of the source. |
Mandatory Compliance | It is compulsory for directors and authorized signatories of companies/LLPs to use a DSC for e-filing documents with government agencies, such as: Filing forms with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) Filing Income Tax Returns (ITR) * Filing GST returns |
Storage | A DSC is typically stored in a secure USB token that plugs into your computer, acting like a physical key you need to access the digital signature. |
Classes of DSC (Common in India)
DSCs are issued in different classes based on the level of verification required:
Class 3 DSC: This is the most secure and most commonly required class for corporate filings, e-tendering, and high-value online transactions. It requires the highest level of verification (often including video verification).
In summary, a DSC is an essential tool for secure, legal, and efficient online interaction with government and regulatory bodies, allowing businesses to operate completely paperless for compliance purposes.
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