The electronic version of physical or paper certificates is the digital signature certificate. It can be deployed for accessing information or services online and also digitally signing the documents. The main objective of the digital signature certificate is to verify a person’s identity when digitally filing the documents. Most of them in the country would have heard about it but don’t know how it works. In order to know more about digital signature certificates stay on this page and read on more.
What is DSC?
Digital signature certificates are the secure digital key that is issued by the certifying authorities to validate and certify the identity of the person holding the certificate. To create the signatures this process makes use of the public key encryptions. This contains the information about the user like their name, email id and other important information.
Classes of DSC
When it comes to the class of DSC there are three of them namely class1 certificates, class 2 certificates and the class 3 certificates. The type of applicant and the purpose can define the kind of digital signature certificate one must apply. The three types of DSC are given below in detail.
Class 1 certificates
These are something issued to the individual private subscribers. It is used to confirm the user’s name and the other important details from the clearly defined subject which lies within the database of the certifying authority.
Class 2 certificates
These are the certificates that are issued to the director or signatory authorities of the company’s for e-filing with the register of companies. This certificate is mandatory for the individuals who have to sign the manual documents while signing off returns with the register of companies.
Class3 certificates
These are the certificates that are used in online participation or bidding in e-auctions and online tenders anywhere in India. This certificate is essential for the vendors who want to participate in the online tenders.
Data integrity
The documents that are signed digitally can’t be altered or edited once it has been signed by the individuals. Once you have signed the document the data is protected and it is secure. Generally, the government agents ask for these digital signature certificates to cross-check and ascertain the business transaction.
How digital signatures work?
The technology is fairly advanced when it comes to digital signatures. In an electronic document when you want to put a digital signature, the software generates the hash value that is based on the contents of the electronic document. The thing that acts as a fingerprint of the document is the hash value. It then gets encrypted and is embedded with your digital signature into the document itself.
When you send it to someone, it will include a key that lets the recipient’s computer decode the hash value and compare it to the contents of the documents.
How can one apply for DSC?
There are some requirements for applying for a digital signature certificate in Uttarakhand.
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Submission of the digital signature certificate application filled by the applicant
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Producing photo ID proof
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Producing address proof
Points to remember
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The digital signature certificates are issued for 1 or 2 years only. Once the validity has expired they need to be renewed
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One person can have different digital signature certificates. In which one can be for official purpose and the others for personal purpose.
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The DSC documents are acceptable in the legal courts as evidence or proof.
Therefore these are something that you have to know about digital signature certificates. This kind of service is very useful in business.