Class 3 DSC: Everything You Need to Know in 2026
Since January 2021, India has operated on a single class of Digital Signature Certificate for all government portal use: Class 3. If you've heard about Class 1 or Class 2 DSCs, they're obsolete. This guide explains exactly what Class 3 means, how to pick the right variant, what it costs, and where it's used.
Why India Moved to Class 3 Only
India's DSC system originally had three classes:
- Class 1: Lowest assurance — email address verification only. Used for personal email signing, now discontinued.
- Class 2: Medium assurance — identity verified against a pre-verified database (like the company's MCA database or Aadhaar). Was widely used for MCA and Income Tax until 2021.
- Class 3: Highest assurance — in-person (or video) verification by the CA or an authorised RA. Biometric or document verification required.
In January 2021, the Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA) directed all licensed CAs to stop issuing Class 2 certificates. All government portals now require Class 3 DSC only. The rationale was security: Class 2 relied on database matches that could be spoofed; Class 3's face-to-face or video verification provides a much stronger identity assurance guarantee.
Sign vs Sign+Encrypt: Which Do You Need?
Class 3 DSC comes in two capability variants:
| Feature | Class 3 Sign | Class 3 Sign + Encrypt |
|---|---|---|
| Digital signing of documents | Yes | Yes |
| Document encryption | No | Yes |
| Works on MCA, Income Tax, ICEGATE, Trademark | Yes | Yes |
| Works on GST portal (company registration) | Yes (usually) | Yes |
| Works for encrypted email exchange | No | Yes |
| Works for encrypted document transfer (banking, finance) | No | Yes |
| Price (Individual, 1 year) | ₹2,500 | ₹3,500 |
For most businesses: A standard Sign DSC is sufficient. You only need Sign+Encrypt if your portal or workflow specifically requires the encryption capability — this is most common in the banking, insurance, and large enterprise sectors.
Exception: Some GST-related workflows and certain NSWS applications ask for Sign+Encrypt. If you're unsure, WhatsApp us your use case — we'll confirm in minutes.
Individual vs Organisation DSC
Both Individual and Organisation Class 3 DSCs cost the same (₹2,500), but they differ in what they certify:
| Attribute | Individual DSC | Organisation DSC |
|---|---|---|
| Issued to | A named person (e.g., "Rajesh Sharma") | A named person at a named company (e.g., "Rajesh Sharma, Akham Digital Pvt Ltd") |
| PAN in certificate | Individual's PAN | Individual's PAN + Company's CIN/PAN |
| Documents needed | PAN, Aadhaar, photo | Individual docs + company docs (auth letter, board resolution) |
| Use for MCA filings | Yes (director in individual capacity) | Yes (director as representative of company) |
| Use for Income Tax | Yes | Yes |
| Stays valid if you change jobs/companies | Yes | No (tied to current organisation) |
| Processing time | Same day | 1–2 business days |
Practical recommendation: For most company directors and professionals, an Individual DSC is easier to maintain and just as widely accepted. Organisation DSC is most useful when the certificate's purpose is specifically to represent the organisation (e.g., e-tender submissions where the company's identity must appear in the certificate).
Validity Options: 1 Year vs 2 Year
Class 3 DSCs are available in two validity options:
- 1-year validity: Lower upfront cost. You renew annually. More flexible if your needs or business structure might change.
- 2-year validity: Higher upfront cost (~₹4,500 instead of ₹2,500) but saves one renewal cycle. Useful if you know you'll need the DSC continuously and want to reduce administrative friction.
There is no 3-year option. The maximum validity for a Class 3 certificate under CCA guidelines is 2 years.
Class 3 DSC Price Table (2026)
All prices below are for Akham Digital clients and include USB crypto token and delivery:
| Certificate Type | Applicant | 1 Year | 2 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 3 Sign | Individual | ₹2,500 | ₹4,500 |
| Class 3 Sign | Organisation | ₹2,500 | ₹4,500 |
| Class 3 Sign+Encrypt | Individual | ₹3,500 | ₹6,000 |
| Class 3 Sign+Encrypt | Organisation | ₹3,500 | ₹6,000 |
| DGFT DSC (Class 3) | Individual / Org | ₹3,500 | ₹6,000 |
| Class 3 Sign | Foreign National | ₹6,000 | On request |
| Class 3 Sign+Encrypt | Foreign National | ₹8,000 | On request |
GST invoice provided for all purchases. New USB token is included in all first-time issuance orders. Renewals on existing working tokens do not need a new token (saving ₹600).
Use Case Reference Table
| Use Case / Portal | Certificate Needed | Individual or Org |
|---|---|---|
| Income Tax filing (company/audit) | Class 3 Sign | Individual (director/partner) |
| MCA SPICe+ incorporation | Class 3 Sign | Individual (each director) |
| MCA annual filings (MGT-7, AOC-4) | Class 3 Sign | Individual |
| GST registration (company) | Class 3 Sign or Sign+Encrypt | Individual (authorised signatory) |
| DGFT portal (IEC, RODTEP, etc.) | DGFT DSC (Class 3 variant) | Individual or Organisation |
| Trademark application | Class 3 Sign | Individual |
| ICEGATE (customs filings) | Class 3 Sign | Individual |
| Government e-tenders (GeM, CPPP) | Class 3 Sign or Organisation | Organisation preferred |
| Encrypted banking/financial documents | Class 3 Sign+Encrypt | Individual or Organisation |
How to Choose the Right Class 3 DSC in Under 2 Minutes
Follow this decision flow:
- Are you an individual, proprietor, or the authorised signatory of a company? → Individual DSC is almost always the right answer.
- Is your use case DGFT portal only (exports/imports)? → Get DGFT DSC (₹3,500).
- Do you need to encrypt documents or is your portal specifically asking for Sign+Encrypt? → Get Sign+Encrypt (₹3,500). Otherwise → Standard Sign (₹2,500).
- Is your DSC needed for more than 1 year of continuous use? → Consider 2-year validity to reduce renewal hassle.
- Are you a foreign national? → Contact Akham — foreign national DSC has a separate process and pricing.
Still unsure? WhatsApp us your use case (which portal, what you're trying to file) and we'll confirm the right certificate within minutes — no obligation.
Get Your Class 3 DSC — Same-Day Issuance
Class 3 Sign from ₹2,500. Sign+Encrypt from ₹3,500. DGFT from ₹3,500. USB token and delivery included.
Apply for DSC on WhatsApp