Class 3 DSC on USB token — mandatory for MCA, GST, and IT filings
A Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is the electronic equivalent of a handwritten signature for online filings in India. It is issued to a named person by a Certifying Authority licensed by the Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA), and it ties your identity to a cryptographic key.
Government portals use it to be sure that a filing really comes from the director, partner or authorised signatory it claims to. MCA forms for companies and LLPs, GST registration for companies and LLPs, income tax filings and e-tenders all rely on it.
A DSC is a personal credential. Whoever holds the token and its password can sign as you, so treat it as you would treat a signed blank cheque.
Last reviewed against the official sources below on 22 October 2026.
Directors of companies and designated partners of LLPs, who must sign MCA forms digitally. You need your DSC before incorporation filings can even be signed.
Authorised signatories of a company or LLP for GST and other registrations that ask for a DSC-signed application.
Businesses and individuals who bid in government e-tenders, file customs and export documents, or sign income tax filings that require a DSC.
Anyone who wants an Aadhaar-based eSign for a one-time document. That is a different product from a DSC, and the table below shows when each makes sense.
Choose the certificate type
Pick Class 3. Choose signing only, or signing plus encryption if a tender or portal needs it. Decide whether it is an individual or an organisational certificate.
Pick a licensed Certifying Authority
Use a Certifying Authority from the CCA's list of licensed CAs, or a registered reseller of one. Check that the certificate will be issued by the CA itself.
Submit your details and documents
Enter the name exactly as on your PAN, along with the email and mobile number you will keep for the life of the certificate. Provide the identity and address documents.
Complete identity verification
The CCA allows verification by Aadhaar eKYC with biometric authentication, by a paper application with in-person or video verification, or by Aadhaar eKYC OTP together with video verification. The CA tells you which one applies.
Receive the token and download the certificate
Class 3 certificates are issued on a hardware token. Download the certificate onto it within 30 days of the verification being approved.
Register it on the portal and test it
Install the token's driver and register the DSC on the portal you need, for example MCA. Test it on a small filing before the deadline day.
Issuance depends on the CA and on how quickly your verification clears. We do not quote a time. Do not wait until the day before a filing deadline: the token also has to be delivered, installed and registered on the portal. The certificate usually lasts one or two years and is renewed when it expires.
| Applicant | Identity and address | Other items |
|---|---|---|
| Individual (Indian) | PAN and Aadhaar; the name must match | Email, mobile number, photograph where asked |
| Individual (foreign) | Passport and an address proof, often attested | Email and mobile number; the CA explains the accepted route |
| Organisational certificate | Proof of the organisation (incorporation certificate, GST or other), PAN of the organisation | Authorisation letter or board resolution for the signatory |
| Verification | Aadhaar eKYC (biometric, or OTP with video) or a paper form with in-person or video verification | A working device for video verification |
| DSC (Class 3) | Aadhaar eSign | EVC (OTP-based) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | A certificate on a hardware token | A short-lived certificate generated to sign a single document | A one-time code sent to a registered mobile number |
| Validity | Typically one or two years, renewable | Single use for the requested signing | Single use |
| Used for | MCA forms, GST by companies and LLPs, e-tenders | Signing a particular document or application | Selected income tax and GST actions for permitted users |
| Who issues | A licensed Certifying Authority | An eSign service provider | The portal itself |
| Can be shared? | No. Never share the token or its PIN | No | No |
Rules and portals change. Confirm fees and form versions on the official site before you pay or file.
Government Fees
Certifying Authority issuance fee
Rs 1,000-2,500 for Class 3 DSC (2 years); set by each licensed CA
Professional Fees
DSC issuance assistance
Form filling, verification coordination, token delivery
* Government fees may vary. GST applicable on professional fees. Final pricing confirmed after review.
It is the certificate class that government portals such as MCA, GST and e-tendering systems ask for. The private key is stored on a hardware device.
MCA notes that DSCs are typically issued for one year or two years and are renewable on expiry. Check the validity printed on your certificate.
Only a Certifying Authority licensed by the Controller of Certifying Authorities. Check the CCA's list before you buy.
The CCA allows Aadhaar eKYC with biometric authentication, a paper application with in-person or video verification, or Aadhaar eKYC OTP together with video verification.
The CCA guidelines give 30 days from the date the verification is approved.
A DSC is a certificate on a hardware token valid for a year or two. An eSign certificate is generated for one-time signing of a requested document.
No. A DSC is personal to the named holder. If two people sign, each needs their own.
Yes. The directors and subscribers sign the MCA forms digitally, so they need DSCs before filing.
The price differs by Certifying Authority, class and validity. Compare the all-inclusive price from a licensed CA or its reseller, including the token.
Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)
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