The Information Technology Act, 2000 provides for use of digital signatures on the documents submitted in electronic form in order to ensure the security and authenticity of the documents filed electronically.

How does it work?

Digital signatures deploy the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) technology. A digital signature is issued by a Certification Authority (CA) and signed with the CA's private key. A digital signature typically contains:

- Owner's public key

- Owner's name

- Expiration date of the public key

- Name of the issuer (the CA that issued the Digital ID)

- Serial number of the digital signature

- Digital signature of the issuer

How do I get a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)?

The Office of Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA), issues such certificates only to certifying authorities and the latter issues Digital Signature Certificates to the end user.

Who is authorized to give a DSC?

CA's are appointed by the office of the CCA. There are 7 such agencies authorized by the CCA to issue DSCs.

1. www.safescrypt.com
2. www.nic.in
3. www.idrbtca.org.in
4. www.tcs-ca.tcs.co.in
5. www.mtnltrustline.com
6. www.ncodesolutions.com
7. www.e-Mudhra.com

(Author - iFAST Content Team, Fundsupermart.com.)