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The Classic Partners LLP · Digital Signature

Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)

Getting a Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate issued for directors, partners and authorised signatories, the credential most regulatory filings in India now require.

Quick answer

A Digital Signature Certificate is an electronic credential issued by a licensed Certifying Authority that authenticates the identity of the signer on electronic documents and portal filings. Class 3 DSCs, the category required for most Indian regulatory work, are issued after identity verification and are used for filings with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, the GST portal, the income tax e-filing portal, ICEGATE, and government e-tender portals, typically valid for one to two years at a time.

What we cover

What our DSC service covers

Getting the right class of certificate issued to the right person.

  • Advising on the correct DSC class and validity period for the intended use
  • Completing identity verification through video verification or Aadhaar e-KYC as required by the Certifying Authority
  • Issuing DSCs for directors, partners, proprietors and authorised signatories
  • Registering the DSC on relevant portals such as MCA, GST and ICEGATE
  • Renewing DSCs before expiry to avoid disruption to ongoing filings
  • Troubleshooting DSC installation and token issues on client systems
Key components

Where a DSC is required

Most statutory filings now need a digital signature to authenticate them.

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MCA & Company Filings

Required for incorporation forms, annual returns and other filings with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

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GST & Income Tax

Used to authenticate GST returns and income tax filings for companies and LLPs, which mandate DSC-based verification.

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Customs (ICEGATE)

Needed to register on and file electronic customs documents through the ICEGATE portal.

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E-Tenders

Required to submit bids on government e-procurement and e-tender portals.

How we work

Our process

From initial consultation to completion.

1

Class & Applicant Selection

Identifying who needs a DSC and confirming the correct certificate class for the intended filings.

2

Identity Verification

Completing video verification or Aadhaar e-KYC as prescribed by the Certifying Authority.

3

Issuance

Receiving the DSC on a secure USB token once verification is complete.

4

Portal Registration

Registering the DSC on MCA, GST, ICEGATE or other relevant portals as needed.

Why choose us

Why DSC issues stall filings more than people expect

What sets our approach apart.

An expired DSC blocks filings without warning

A statutory return or form due on a deadline cannot be filed if the signatory's DSC has lapsed and not been renewed in time.

The certificate must match the exact signatory

A DSC issued in one director's name cannot be used to sign on behalf of another; portal rejections are common when this is overlooked.

Token and browser compatibility issues are common

DSC tokens need specific driver and browser configurations, which can hold up a filing on the day it is due if not tested in advance.

FAQs

Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) questions answered

What people ask before engaging us.

Class 2 DSCs have largely been discontinued in India; Class 3 is now the standard certificate required for most regulatory filings, offering a higher level of identity assurance.
DSCs are typically issued for a validity period of one or two years, after which they must be renewed to continue signing electronic filings.
Yes, a DSC is issued to an individual, not a company, so the same certificate can be used to sign filings for multiple entities where that individual is an authorised signatory.
Identity and address proof of the applicant, a passport-size photograph, and completion of video verification or Aadhaar-based e-KYC as required by the issuing Certifying Authority.

Need a Digital Signature Certificate issued?

We will get the right class of DSC issued and registered on the portals you need.

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