Difference Between Class 2 and Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)

A Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) provides secure digital identification for an individual. It is issued by Certifying Authorities (CAs) and is used to verify a person’s identity through a public-private key encryption process.

All relevant information about the certificate holder is stored in the digital signature, including their name, address, date of birth, PIN code, country, email address, date of issue, and the name of the issuing authority. A digital signature helps authenticate any document that the certificate holder signs.

As more transactions are conducted digitally today, understanding the various types of digital signatures has become essential to ensure the credibility and security of digital interactions.

Class 2 Digital Signature Certificate

The Class 2 Digital Signature Certificate ensures that the information submitted by the subscriber in an application matches the information available in the databases of a recognized authority. It is issued to both individuals and company personnel for personal or official use.

In addition to the uses mentioned above, this type of certificate is commonly used for various purposes such as form filling, online registrations, email authentication, income tax filing, and more. Other common applications include:

MCA e-filing
Income Tax e-filing
Registration of LLP
GST application
IE Code registration
Issuance of Form 16, etc.

Note: Click here to know more about Class 2 Digital Signature Certificate

Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate

The Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate is the most secure and reliable among all types of digital certificates. It is primarily used in situations requiring a high level of security and protection. This certificate is widely used in online trading and e-commerce platforms where large financial transactions or sensitive personal information is involved.

Some of the main uses of a Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate include:

E-tendering
Patent and trademark e-filing
MCA e-filing
Customs e-filing
E-procurement
E-bidding
E-auction

Note: Read here to know more about Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate

How to Apply for Digital Signature Certificate?

Step 1: Go to the official website – https://edigitalsignature.org

Step 2: Click on the “Digital Signature” option.

Step 3: Fill out the online form with your basic details like:

Your full name
Email ID
Mobile number
PAN card number
Address

Step 4: Choose if you want a new USB token (a pen drive-like device to store your signature) or if you want to use your old one.

Step 5: Pay the required fee online based on the option you selected.

Step 6: Once you make the payment, a DSC expert from the team will check your documents and begin processing your application.

Step 7: After everything is verified and approved, your Digital Signature Certificate will be sent to your address. It will either:

Come already loaded in a new USB token, or
Be updated in your existing token, based on what you chose.

We’ve already shared the details about what a Digital Signature Certificate is, along with its benefits and uses. If you’d like to learn more, you can click here to read the full information: Digital Signature Certificate and Its Benefits

So hurry up and apply for DSC according to your requirement at edigitalsignature.org. You just have to fill the form and leave the rest in our hand. You can also visit our FAQ page or ask your doubt in the enquiry form.