What is Digital Certificate?
A Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is a secure digital key that certifies the identity of the holder, issued by a Certifying Authority (CA). It typically contains your identity (name, email, country, APNIC account name and your public key). Digital Certificates use Public Key Infrastructure meaning data that has been digitally signed or encrypted by a private key can only be decrypted by its corresponding public key. A digital certificate is an electronic “credit card” that establishes your credentials when doing business or other transactions on the Web.
Why eMudhra Digital Certificate?
eMudhra is a Certifying Authority (CA) authorised by the Controller of Certifying Authority (CCA) for issuance of Digital Signature Certificates in India. eMudhra provides Class 3 Digital Signature Certificates (DSC) along with digital signatures for specific needs such as Income Tax filing, MCA, e-tendering, e-procurement and Foreign Trade.
Applications of DSC
1. MCA efiling
2. Income Tax
3. Foreign Trade
4. e-tendering/e-procurement
5. Employee Provident Fund
MCA21 / RoC E-Filing / DIN Using Class 2 Digital Signatures
A Digital Signature Certificate helps make light work of various transactions related to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, or Registrar of Companies. In addition to saving time, a Digital Signature Certificate also helps secure data. Read on to know more about the benefits of buying a Digital Signature Certificate from eMudhra.
Digital Signature Certificate and Ministry of Corporate Affairs
Any organization or firm can apply for a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) for transactions involving the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. However, business houses that exceed revenues of over INR 60 lakhs have to mandatorily use a Digital Signature Certificate while filing returns. Under the provisions of law, a Digital Signature is considered as a legally admissible instrument.
There are various types of Digital Signature Certificates that cater to specific needs. While eFiling on the Ministry of Corporate Affairs portal, a Digital Signature Certificate of Class 2 and Class 3 category is required.
A Class 2 Digital Signature Certificate is available for download after verification based on a trusted and pre-verified database.
A Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate, on the other hand, is of a higher level as it is issued only after the registrant’s identity verification has been done by a Registration Authority.
Digital Signature For E-Filing Your Income Tax Returns
Easier e-Filing of Income Tax with Digital Signature Certificate.
A Digital Signature Certificate lets you file your Tax Returns easier and more secure. According to revised provisions under section 44AB of IT Act “E-Filing is mandatory for all the individuals/professionals having an annual gross receipt of INR 25 Lakhs and above, and for business houses with annual turnover of INR 1 Crore and above.
Digital Signature Certificate and e-Filing of Incomes Taxes
Use of an eMudhra Digital Signature Certificate is mandatory for e-filing by a certain section of businesses, families, and individuals. For individuals businesses not covered by the latest mandate, a Digital Signature Certificate assures greater convenience while filing tax returns, and greater security during any electronic transactions.
Foreign Trade Made Possible With Digital Signature Certificate.
Foreign Trade and Digital Signature Certificates
Export and Import Organizations (EXIM organizations) can apply for licenses online which means that they can also file accompanying documents electronically on the DGFT website. Since a Digital Signature Certificate ensures authenticity of the document, DGFT has mandated use of Digital Signature Certificates with all electronic documents uploaded on the DGFT site. This means that every EXIM Organisation needs to necessarily have a Digital Signature Certificate for transactions related to the DGFT website. On validating the identity of the sender, authenticity of the documents and validity of the DSC, DGFT then processes the documents for licence issuance. In addition to convenience, online submission of applications on the DGFT website also mean a 50% reduction in licence fee for EXIM Organisations
E-Tendering & E-Procurement Made Possible With Digital Signature Certificate.
A Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is essential for companies and organizations that take part or intend to take part in eTendering processes on various Government sites. Besides enabling eTendering which is extremely convenient and transparent, a Digital Signature Certificate also ensure greater security in other online transactions.
Digital Signature Certificate and e-Tendering
e-Procurement facilitates, integrates, and streamlines procurement processes. From buyer to supplier and even back. Approved under the Information Technology Act, and with legal status, a Digital Signature Certificate is essential for all e-Procurement processes.
Applying for a government tender online has many advantages. Since documents are uploaded to a central site, acknowledgements and receipts are provided immediately. Which is not the case with paper documents that need to be scanned and verified before being processed.
e-Procurement has gained significant popularity and acceptance as it brings greater transparency to the whole system. Among other benefits, it helps buyers and bidders overcome geographical limitations, reduce procurement cycles, and overall helps keep pace with present technology.
Any organisation that is looking to apply for any Government eTender needs to have a Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate registered in the name of a representative who is authorised to submit online offers for e-Tendering applications
Digital Signature For Employee PF Online Transfer Claim.
EPFO (Employees’ provident Fund Organisation) has introduced online transfer claims which require Class 2 Digital Signature Certificate or above. This has made the transfer process transparent and efficient. Members can now submit his/her claim through present or previous employer. The portal allows to view, verify, correct, approve and submit the requests online. At least one authorized person of the organization interacting with EPFO is required to have a valid Digital Signature Certificate for online submissions
eMudhra Class 2 or Class 3 Digital Signature Certificates helps submitting their employee PF transfer claim form online. eMudhra digital signature certificates make your work more easier, convenient and cost saving in handling your employee PF transfer claim forms. Now the authorized signatories of employer’s can digitally sign using eMudhra digital signature certificates and submit the form online in Employer Online Transfer Claim Portal.
Difference between Encryption and Signing
Message encryption provides confidentiality. Allows users to encrypt document with the public key which can be decrypted only with the corresponding private key. To put it in simple terms when encrypting, you use their public key to write message and recipient uses their private key to read it. One of the most secure way protecting confidential documents.
Message signing binds the identity of the message source to this message. It ensures data integrity, message authentication, and non-repudiation altogether. When signing, you use your private key to write message’s signature, and they use your public key to check if it’s really yours.