Frequently Asked Questions
What is Digital Signature
Digital Signature Certificate is commonly used to sign documents for GST and Tender
bids. Other uses include signing on invoices, contracts, corporate documents, tax returns, Cersai, FIU,
and UIDAI.
Digital Signature is legally binding. Only a licensed Certifying Authority can issue
Digital Signature Certificates.
Paper-less steps are now available to renew or buy new Digital Signature. Paper-less
process is faster, cheaper, and fully online. Individual persons, and all types of business
organisations can use paper-less steps.
Which Class of DSC to buy?
There is only one class of DSC to buy. CCA has simplified the DSC Classes in 2021.
Only Class-3 DSC is available to purchase for both individuals and organisations. Renewals or new sales
of Class 2 is discontinued.
Class-3 DSC is widely accepted for most purposes like Tax (income tax or GST), EPFO,
Director's eKYC, register new business on MCA portal, Import Export Code, sign invoices (Tally or Zoho
Books), EPFO, etc.
To submit Tenders online, Government eProcurement portals encourage applicants to
use Class-3 with encryption combo for submitting bids to tender portal if TIA requires so.
My DSC has expired. How to renew?
Once Digital Signature has expired, applicants cannot sign new documents anymore.
Digital Signature must be renewed to continue signing documents.
The renewal process is exactly same as buying New Digital Signature. However, there
is no need to buy another USB cryptographic token/dongle. DSC is issued with validity of 1 to 3 years.
Paper-less Steps to buy DSC Online
Step 1: Enter applicant name, phone, email, and make payment.
Step 2: Receive automatic e-mail with link to open CA Portal (eMudhra or
Capricorn).
Step 3: Create KYC ID / PIN or use existing KYC ID.
Step 4: Upload PAN Card, Proof of Address, and a passport size photo. For
Class-3, additional documents must be uploaded.
Step 5: Record Video using phone or laptop. Read statement shown on screen.
Step 6: Certifying Authority will approve and issue Digital Signature
Certificate (eMudhra or Capricorn).
Step 7: Download DSC and store on USB cryptographic token such as
ePass2003-Auto.
What is ePass2003-Auto : token/dongle?
ePass2003-Auto is used to store Digital Signature. It is referred as token or
dongle. As a secure storage device designed to provide strong authentication, it helps protect sensitive
data such as Digital Signature.
Cryptographic tokens are different from normal USB thumb drive. ePass2003 provides
FIPS 140-2 security levels. ProxKey and Alladin tokens can also be used to store DSC.
Retail price of ePass2003-Auto varies between Rs.300 to Rs.500. Multiple Digital
Signature Certificates can be stored in one token/dongle.
What is eKYC? for DSC
KYC stands for Know-Your-Customer. Individual applicants upload Pan Card or Aadhaar
XML to complete eKYC online. The process is completed online with upload of PAN Card and one proof of
address. No attestation is required. There is no need send physical documents.
Scanned copies to Upload:
1. PAN Card (front side copy)
2. Passport size photo
3. Any One Address Proof with applicant name
- Aadhaar eKYC
- Driving License
- Voter ID
- Passport
For business and company DSC, there may be additional documents to be uploaded as
part of eKYC.
Steps to create e-KYC account using PAN Card
Step 1: Fill online application form and complete payment
Step 2: Open the e-mail received and click on DSC link
Step 3: Choose option to create e-KYC as "Pan Card Based"
Step 4: Enter applicant's PAN Number and Name as in PAN Card.
Step 5: Enter address as per proof of address
Step 6: Create new eKYC ID and PIN. eKYC account have 2 years validity.
Open the e-mail received for video recording on your smart phone or computer.
- Record video using camera on smartphone or computer.
- Read the statement shown on screen - loud and clear.
- Show documents to camera - original PAN Card and Address Proof Applicant face must be visible
Duration of video will be for 20 seconds
Video Recording has been enabled with extra 4 languages (Kannada, Telugu, Tamil and
Malayalam), in addition to Hindi & English.
