A Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is the electronic signature government portals accept for signing filings. Class 2 issuance stopped on 1 January 2021, so a Class 3 DSC is now the standard for MCA, GST, income tax and DGFT work. It is issued after eKYC and video verification, and its key must sit on a FIPS-validated USB crypto token. Our fee starts at ₹1,299.
A Class 3 DSC on a FIPS-validated USB token is what every Indian government portal expects today. It is issued after online eKYC and a short video verification, usually the same day.
| Point | Current position |
|---|---|
| Class to buy | Class 3. Class 2 issuance stopped from 1 January 2021 |
| Verification | Aadhaar eKYC (OTP or biometric), PAN eKYC or bank eKYC, with video verification in most routes |
| Where the key lives | Generated on a FIPS-validated hardware crypto token; no software-only Class 3 |
| Token standard | New DSCs issued only on FIPS 140-3 tokens from 21 September 2026 |
| Download window | Within 30 days of verification approval |
| Validity | As purchased; our plans include 2-year and 3-year certificates |
Sources: CCA Identity Verification Guidelines (CCA-IVG) and CCA Advisory on Migration from FIPS 140-2 to FIPS 140-3, both on cca.gov.in.
| You need to | DSC type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sign MCA e-forms as a director or signatory (SPICe+, AOC-4, MGT-7, DIR-3 KYC) | Class 3 individual signing | Each director and signatory needs their own DSC |
| Sign GST applications, returns and replies | Class 3 signing | Register the authorised signatory DSC on the GST portal first |
| Sign income-tax returns or audit reports | Class 3 signing | Check the verification options the e-filing portal shows for your return |
| File IEC and other applications on DGFT | Class 3 signing | See our IEC registration page |
| Bid on government e-tenders | Class 3 signing plus encryption | Tender portals ask for the encryption certificate too |
| Sign invoices or documents automatically in bulk for an organisation | Document Signer certificate | Organisational only, with extra declarations |
The Controller of Certifying Authorities has moved the DSC ecosystem from FIPS 140-2 to FIPS 140-3 crypto tokens. This is the change most DSC pages have not caught up with, and it decides whether your old token can be reused.
| Date | What changes |
|---|---|
| 21 September 2026 | Certifying Authorities stop issuing DSCs on FIPS 140-2 tokens |
| After 21 September 2026 | DSCs already downloaded on FIPS 140-2 tokens work until expiry, but cannot be renewed or freshly downloaded on them |
| 21 September 2029 | FIPS 140-2 validations end; non-compliant devices to be retired |
Source: CCA Advisory Note on FIPS 140-2 to FIPS 140-3 Migration (cca.gov.in). A Certifying Authority may re-issue an active DSC once, free of charge, for its remaining validity.
| Applicant | What you need |
|---|---|
| Individual, Aadhaar route | Aadhaar with mobile linked for OTP, PAN, email, mobile, a camera for video verification |
| Individual, PAN route | PAN, mobile verification, and the original PAN and a government ID shown during video verification |
| Organisational signatory | Your own eKYC, proof of association with the organisation, authorisation letter, the authorised signatory eKYC, and proof the organisation exists |
| Foreign national | Passport-based documents, video verification and telephone or SMS OTP |
Proof of the organisation can be an active GST registration with filings in the last 3 months, or a bank statement with the incorporation certificate and PAN (CCA-IVG).
Directors usually need a DSC alongside DIN and DIR-3 KYC and at company incorporation. GST applicants can see our GST registration page.
Pick the speed and depth that matches your need. Same quality, same CA team — only the timeline changes.
Timeline: Same day
Timeline: Same day
Timeline: Same day
Every price above is a professional fee, excluding GST and government charges. 50% upfront, 50% on delivery.
Individual or organisational, signing only or signing plus encryption, and the validity. We confirm what your portal needs first.
Aadhaar OTP, PAN or bank eKYC, followed by a short video verification in most routes. No office visit.
Usually the same day once the video and documents match.
The key pair is generated on a FIPS-validated USB crypto token. Download within 30 days of approval.
Register the DSC on MCA, GST, income tax or DGFT before the first filing.
Tell us your requirement, a CA will call you in 30 minutes.
Issued the same day once your eKYC and video verification are approved.
Online eKYC and video verification. The only hardware is the USB crypto token.
Directors and signatories sign MCA e-forms with a DSC. GST, income tax and DGFT portals accept it too.
Renewable. We remind you before expiry.
