Digital Signature Certificate(DSC).

A Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is a secure digital key that is issued by Certifying Authorities (CAs) to validate and certify the identity of an individual or organization online. It uses public key infrastructure (PKI) to encrypt and sign documents, ensuring authenticity and integrity. DSCs are commonly used in digital transactions such as filing income tax returns, company registration, e-tendering, and more.

A DSC contains information such as the user’s name, public key, email address, and the certifying authority’s details. It ensures that the signed document has not been altered and confirms the identity of the sender. This helps prevent data tampering, impersonation, and fraud in digital communications.

There are three classes of DSCs – Class 1 for basic email communications, Class 2 for business and legal documents, and Class 3 for high-security requirements like e-auctions and e-tendering. Obtaining a DSC involves submitting identity and address proof to a CA, after which the certificate is issued for a specific period, typically one or two years. Overall, DSCs are crucial for secure and legally valid electronic transactions in today’s digital environment.