Frequently Asked Questions — Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)

What types of DSC are available in India in 2026?

As of 2026, the Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA) recognises the following types of Digital Signature Certificates in India:

• Class 3 Signing DSC: The highest class of personal DSC. Used for MCA21, Income Tax eFiling, EPF, GST, Director KYC. Available for individuals and organisations.
• Class 3 Combo DSC (Signing + Encryption): Required for GEM portal, e-Tendering, eAuction, IREPS, AICTE, CBSE, NSWS, and ICEGate. Includes both signing and encryption certificates.
• DGFT DSC: Special certificate for DGFT portal — used by exporters and importers for IEC, license eFiling, Country of Origin, MEIS/SEIS applications. Available with 1-year or 2-year validity.
• Document Signer Certificate (DSC): Organisation-based certificate for automated bulk signing of PDFs, invoices, contracts, and HR documents. Available as Class 2 (.pfx software) or Class 3 (HSM hardware).
• Foreign DSC: For Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and foreign nationals who need to sign on Indian government portals like MCA21 or GEM.

Note: Class 2 DSC has been deprecated and is no longer issued by CCA-approved Certifying Authorities for personal use as of 2021. Only Class 3 is issued now for individual and organisation signing. Class 2 Document Signer (.pfx) is still available for bulk document automation only.

Which DSC is required for GST registration and filing?

Class 3 Individual Signing DSC is required for GST portal eFiling. It authenticates your identity as the authorised signatory for GST registration, return filing, and amendments. Company directors, partners, and authorised signatories all need individual Class 3 Signing DSC — not an organisation DSC.

Which DSC is required for GEM portal (Government e-Marketplace)?

Class 3 Combo DSC (Signing + Encryption) is mandatory for GeM portal. Both the signing and encryption certificates are required together to register as a seller, submit bids, and sign contracts on the Government e-Marketplace. A Signing-only DSC will not work for GEM.

Which DSC is needed for MCA21 / ROC filings and Director KYC?

Class 3 Individual Signing DSC is required for MCA21 portal filings including Annual Returns (AOC-4, MGT-7), Director KYC (DIR-3 KYC), company incorporation (SPICe+), and other ROC submissions. Company Secretaries and auditors also need individual Class 3 Signing DSC. For company registration as an entity, Class 3 Organisation Signing DSC is used.

Which DSC is required for Income Tax (ITR) eFiling?

Class 3 Individual Signing DSC is required for Income Tax eFiling on the Income Tax portal (incometax.gov.in). It is used for ITR verification, form submissions, and as an authorised signatory. This is the same certificate used for MCA and GST — one Class 3 Individual DSC works across all three portals.

Which DSC is required for DGFT and exports/imports?

DGFT DSC (Directorate General of Foreign Trade DSC) is specifically required for the DGFT portal. It is used for IEC (Import Export Code) applications, IEC renewal and branch additions, Country of Origin certificates, MEIS/SEIS license applications, and customs-related filings. DGFT DSC is a separate certificate from Class 3 — you cannot use a Class 3 Signing DSC on the DGFT portal.

What documents are required to get a DSC in India?

For an Individual DSC (Class 3 Signing or Combo):

• Aadhaar card (for Video KYC — mandatory since April 2021)
• PAN card
• Passport-size photo (JPG, under 2MB)
• Mobile number linked to Aadhaar (for OTP verification)

For an Organisation DSC, additionally provide:

• Certificate of Incorporation (for companies) or Partnership Deed (for firms)
• GST Registration Certificate or Board Resolution authorising the applicant
• PAN of the organisation

All documents are submitted digitally — no physical visit required. Submission via WhatsApp or secure email is accepted.

Is personal assistance (video KYC) mandatory for DSC in 2026?

Yes. Since April 6, 2021, the Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA) mandated Video KYC (Personal Appearance) for all new DSC applications. This is a 5–10 minute video call with an authorised RA officer where your identity is verified against your Aadhaar and PAN. The CCA charges a separate fee for this (₹708 inclusive of GST). This cannot be waived — it is a regulatory requirement.

How long does it take to get a DSC from Efiling Infotech?

Our standard processing time is 30 minutes from the completion of Video KYC and document verification. Once processed, the DSC is dispatched same-day via courier for doorstep delivery (1–2 business days), or via same-day hyperlocal courier (Porter, Swiggy Genie, or Uber Flash) at nominal charges. Walk-in customers at our Kolkata (BBD Bagh) office receive the DSC immediately on a USB token.

What is the price of a DSC in India in 2026?

DSC prices from Efiling Infotech (inclusive of GST, delivery, and certificate):

• Class 3 Individual Signing (1 year): ₹826 + USB Token ₹590 = ₹1,416 total
• Class 3 Individual Signing (2 year): ₹992 + USB Token ₹590 = ₹1,582 total
• Class 3 Combo / Signing + Encryption (1 year): ₹1,652 + USB ₹590 = ₹2,242
• DGFT DSC (1 year): ₹1,770 + USB ₹590 = ₹2,360; (2 year): ₹2,101 + ₹590 = ₹2,691
• Video KYC / Personal Assistance: ₹708 (CCA-mandated, charged separately)

View our full interactive price calculator at DSC Price List 2026 | Compare Rates. Prices include delivery anywhere in India and all applicable taxes.

What is the validity of a Digital Signature Certificate?

DSCs are issued with 1-year, 2-year, or 3-year validity. After expiry, the DSC cannot be used for signing — it must be renewed. For most users, a 2-year DSC offers the best value. DGFT DSC is typically issued with 2-year validity. USB tokens (hardware) can be reused across multiple DSC renewals — only the certificate needs renewal, not the token.

Can one DSC be used across multiple government portals?

Yes. A single Class 3 Individual Signing DSC issued by a CCA-approved CA can be used across all government portals that accept Class 3 DSC — including MCA21, GST, Income Tax, EPFO, ESIC, Trademark, Patent, SEBI, IRDA, CERSAI, e-Ticketing, all CBSE school portals, and AICTE. One DSC is valid on all these portals simultaneously and can be used to sign on behalf of multiple entities, provided you are the authorised signatory for each.

Why is a USB token needed for DSC?

A FIPS-certified USB token (eToken) securely stores your private key inside encrypted hardware. Unlike software certificates stored on a computer, the private key in a USB token never leaves the hardware — it cannot be copied, exported, or stolen even if your computer is compromised. USB tokens are password-protected and meet FIPS 140-2 Level 2/3 security standards. All government portals now mandate DSC on a USB token (not soft certificate) for Class 3 individual use. We supply HYP2003, ProxKey, and mToken eTokens — all FIPS-certified and accepted on all major government portals.

What happens if I lose my USB DSC token?

If your USB DSC token is lost or damaged, your private key is permanently lost — it cannot be recovered. You will need to apply for a new DSC certificate (with a fresh Video KYC). For this reason, we recommend keeping a secure backup of your token and never sharing your token PIN with anyone. Contact Efiling Infotech at +91 9051855666 immediately for urgent DSC reissuance.

Is Efiling Infotech an authorised DSC provider?

Yes. Efiling Infotech Private Limited is a Licensed Registration Authority (RA) authorised by multiple CCA-approved Certifying Authorities under the IT Act, 2000, including eMudhra, SignX CA, Capricorn CA, PantaSign, and VSign. We have been issuing Digital Signature Certificates since 2012 with over 35 lakh DSCs issued across India through 4,000+ channel partners in all states.

What is the legal basis for Digital Signatures in India?

Digital Signatures in India are governed by the Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act) and the IT (Amendment) Act, 2008. Under Section 5 of the IT Act, a digital signature is legally equivalent to a handwritten signature. The IT Act empowers the Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to licence Certifying Authorities (CA) who can in turn appoint Registration Authorities (RA) like Efiling Infotech to issue DSCs to the public.