Digital signature certificate(DSC)
A digital signature is basically a way to ensure that an electronic document (e-mail, spreadsheet, text file, etc.) is authentic. Authentic means that you know who created the document and you know that it has not been altered in any way since that person created it.
Digital signatures rely on certain types of encryption to ensure authentication. Encryption is the process of taking all the data that one computer is sending to another and encoding it into a form that only the other computer will be able to decode. Authentication is the process of verifying that information is coming from a trusted source. These two processes work hand in hand for digital signatures
In other words, digital signatures provides: Authentication, Data Integrity, and added security.
Types of Digital Signature Certificates:
There are primarily two types of Digital Signature Certificates (DSC) legally recognized in India:Class 2 Certificate: These certificates are issued for both Business personnel (Organization type) and private individuals (Individual type) use.
Class 3 Certificate: These certificates are issued to for both Business personnel (Organization type) and private individuals (Individual type) use. These Certificates can be used for aforesaid purposes. It provides higher confidentiality and security to transact your operations.
It is primarily used for,
- e-Filing of Income Tax Returns
- e-Tendering
- e-Auction
- e-Procurement
- Signing documents and emails
- Online transactions/ authentications
- MCA21 & ROC
- LLP
- TDS Certificates
- VAT Returns
- EFP Claims
- Patent Trademark, etc. It is used while transacting with organizations/entities like,
- e-Office
- PSUs and Semi Government staffers
- Banks & NBFCs
- State Government Departments
- Corporate entities
- ZP & Nagar Panchayats
- Ordnance Factory
- Defense Personnel
- Insurance companies
- Educational Institutions (Schools/ Colleges/ Training Institutes)
- Hospitals & PHCs
- Municipal & Cantonment Boards
- I.R.E.P.S.
