What is Digital Signature (DSC)
It pays to become a licensed
partner of a CA of Digital Signature Certifying Authority in India. But before we proceed we must first
understand what is a digital signature.
As technology advances, we are moving away from pen and paper work to
authenticate better and be environmentally friendlier.
Unlike handwritten or electronic
signatures, digital signatures are created using cryptology technology. The
result is an encrypted signature that is in form of a hash. These encrypted
signatures are foolproof, and cannot be encrypted without using a public key.
DS is generated using cryptology and in the process, a private key is kept a secret by the creator and is used to encrypt the electronic document or message. Another key is generated by the sender and that is the public key which is used to encrypt the electronic document or message. These are generated as cryptic hash and are undecipherable. This mechanism has been developed a decade back in the USA and has become popular in the use of legal tenders and communications. DS is non-repudiable, and authenticates the sender besides the electronic document of the message is manipulated in a way the receiver will be able to verify the hack and disregard DS. Remember law prohibits the use of DS belonging to others the sender has to use one created by himself or herself or the issuing organization. It is impossible to counterfeit or fake the DS.
When DS is certified by the
certifying authority (CA) and an organization authorized by CCA or controller
of certification authority, it is termed a DSC or digital signature
certificate. The DSC can also be issued by a partner authorized by a CA.
Usage of DSC in India
DSC is used for the legal purpose in the country under the
MCA e-governance program.
Some of the sites where DSC is used are:
- · MCA
- · Income Tax
- · Sales Tax
- · West Bengal State Rural Development Agency (WBSRDA)
- · BIHAR GOVERNMENT (PMGSY)
- · Metal Junctions
- · Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)
- · Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL)
- · Oil India Limited (OIL)
- · Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)
- · GAIL
- · MSTC Limited
- · Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL)
- · Directorate General of Supplies & Disposals (DGSND)
- · Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC)
- · Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited
- · Government of Gujarat
- · Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers Corporation Ltd. (GNFC Ltd.)
- · Government of Orissa (PMGSY)
- · Maharashtra Government
- · Karnataka Government (PMGSY)
- · Tamil Nadu Government (PMGSY)
- · Coal India Limited
- · Indian Railways (IREPS)
- · Water Resources Department
- · MP Govt.
- · Patent and trademark registration.
- · NTPC
DSC is widely used in GST, tax-filing, online registration,
e-mail verification, e-bidding, custom-e-filing, e-procurement and e-tendering,
and its use is on the rise.
The Benefit of the DSC
Partner Program
The use of digital signature
certification is increasing in India. Hence in order to widen the net CAs are
authorized by CCAs to appoint partners to sell DSCs. These are subject to rules
and regulations. Those appointed as DSC Partners by CAs add to income and services. They get the benefit of affordable
rates since there is a charge for procuring these certificates from authorized
organizations. The validity period is usually one year and then they have to
be renewed. Your company or organization can become a partner in the program and
issue licensed DSCs in India.
