How to Apply for a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) Online in India — Complete 2026 Guide
Getting a DSC used to mean visiting a CA office with physical documents. In 2025, the entire process is online — video verification, document submission, and USB token delivery to your door. This guide covers every step, every document, and every cost so you have no surprises.
What is a Digital Signature Certificate?
A Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is the electronic equivalent of a handwritten signature or a notarised stamp. Issued by a licensed Certifying Authority (CA) under the Information Technology Act 2000, it provides legally binding authentication for online transactions and document signings with the Government of India.
When you sign a document digitally using a DSC, the signature is backed by a cryptographic key stored on a secure USB crypto token (also called a dongle or eToken). This key is unique to you, tamper-proof, and legally equivalent to your physical signature under Indian law.
In simple terms: wherever a government portal asks you to "digitally sign" a form or submission, you need a DSC to do it.
Do You Need a DSC — and Which Type?
Whether you need a DSC depends on what you are trying to do. Here are the most common situations:
| Use Case | DSC Type Required |
|---|---|
| Income Tax filing (individuals) | Class 3 Individual |
| MCA/ROC company filings (Director/Partner) | Class 3 Individual or Organisation |
| GST registration (companies) | Class 3 Sign or Sign+Encrypt |
| DGFT portal (importers/exporters) | DGFT DSC specifically |
| E-tenders on government portals | Class 3 Organisation |
| Trademark/Patent filings | Class 3 Individual |
| Icegate (customs filings) | Class 3 Individual |
| Encrypted document exchange | Class 3 Sign + Encrypt |
Types of DSC Available in India (2026)
India has standardised on Class 3 DSC as the only class for most government portals as of 2021. Here are the specific variants:
Class 3 (Sign)
Income Tax, MCA, Trademark, Patent, Icegate. Most commonly needed. Starting ₹2,500.
Class 3 Sign + Encrypt
GST, banking, encrypted document exchange. Includes both signing and encryption capability. ₹3,500.
DGFT DSC
Exclusively for the DGFT portal (dgft.gov.in). Mandatory for IEC holders filing on the portal. ₹3,500.
Each variant is available for Individuals (sole proprietors, professionals, employees) and Organisations (Pvt Ltd, LLP, Partnership firms). Foreign Nationals have their own pricing tier starting at ₹6,000 due to additional verification requirements.
Documents Required
All documents can be submitted digitally — scanned copies or photos sent via WhatsApp or email are accepted for most certificate types. No physical courier is needed.
For Individual / Proprietorship
- PAN Card (copy)
- Aadhaar Card (copy)
- Passport-size photograph (recent, clear background)
- Valid email address
- Mobile number linked to Aadhaar (for video verification OTP)
For Organisation (Pvt Ltd / LLP / Partnership)
- Applicant's PAN Card and Aadhaar
- Passport-size photograph of applicant
- Authorisation Letter on company letterhead
- Board Resolution (for Pvt Ltd) or Partner Consent Letter (for LLP/Partnership)
- MCA Master Data (available on mca.gov.in)
- MOA and AOA (Certificate of Incorporation for LLP)
For DGFT (Individual / Proprietorship)
- PAN Card and Aadhaar of applicant
- IEC Certificate (Import Export Code)
- GST Registration Certificate
- Recent bank statement (3 months)
- Email address and mobile number
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for DSC Online (2026)
Here is the complete process from application to receiving your USB token at your door:
Choose Certificate Type
Identify which DSC you need based on the portal or filing requirement. When in doubt, WhatsApp the CA for a 2-minute confirmation.
Submit Documents
Send your PAN, Aadhaar, and photograph digitally. For organisations, include the authorisation letter and board resolution.
Complete Video Verification
A 3–5 minute video call with a Certifying Authority representative. No office visit. Done from your phone or laptop.
Make Payment
Pay via UPI, NEFT, or bank transfer. Payment triggers immediate processing. No advance payment before document verification.
DSC Generated
Your certificate is generated on the CA portal and installed onto a USB crypto token within 2–4 hours of payment (same business day for individuals).
USB Token Delivered
The crypto token is dispatched by courier. Mumbai clients receive it same-day or next-day. Other cities receive it within 2–3 business days.
DSC Cost in India (2026)
All prices below are from Akham Digital (authorised CA provider, Mumbai) and include the USB crypto token and delivery:
| Certificate Type | Applicant | 1-Year Price | Issuance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 3 DSC | Individual / Proprietorship | ₹2,500 | Same day |
| Class 3 DSC | Organisation (Pvt Ltd / LLP) | ₹2,500 | 1–2 days |
| Class 3 Sign + Encrypt | Individual | ₹3,500 | Same day |
| Class 3 Sign + Encrypt | Organisation | ₹3,500 | 1–2 days |
| DGFT DSC | Individual / Proprietorship | ₹3,500 | Same day |
| DGFT DSC | Organisation | ₹3,500 | 1–2 days |
| Class 3 DSC | Foreign National | ₹6,000 | 2–3 days |
| Sign + Encrypt | Foreign National | ₹8,000 | 2–3 days |
All certificates are issued for 1-year validity. 2-year DSCs are available at a slight premium — ask us for pricing. GST invoice provided for all purchases.
How Delivery and Installation Works
Your DSC is installed on a USB crypto token — a secure hardware device that plugs into your computer's USB port. The token stores your private key in tamper-proof hardware and cannot be copied or extracted.
When you need to sign a document on a government portal, you:
- Plug the USB token into your computer
- Open the portal and navigate to the signing step
- Select your certificate from the list that appears
- Enter your token PIN (set during installation)
- The document is digitally signed and submitted
Akham provides remote installation assistance for all clients via screen share if needed. Most users complete the driver installation and first signing without any assistance.
The eToken driver software is available for Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11. Mac support is available for most certificate types but requires manual driver configuration — ask us before ordering if you primarily use a Mac.
Renewing Your DSC Before It Expires
DSCs have a fixed validity period (1 or 2 years) and cannot be extended — a new certificate must be issued. If your DSC expires before renewal, you lose access to all portals immediately until the new certificate is issued and installed.
Best practice:
- Renew at least 30 days before expiry to avoid any gap in portal access
- Note your expiry date in your calendar or ask your CA to send renewal reminders
- If you file DSC-dependent documents on a deadline (MCA, GST, Income Tax), renew 60 days before expiry as a safety buffer
Frequently Asked Questions
Apply for Your DSC Today
Authorised provider. Class 3 from ₹2,500. Same-day issuance. Fully online process.
Apply for DSC on WhatsApp