DSC Basics

How to do eSign, and how it's different from a DSC

"eSign" gets used loosely to mean several different things in India, here's what it actually refers to, and when a DSC is the better (or required) choice.

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What eSign actually means in India

In the Indian context, "eSign" most often refers to the Aadhaar-based eSign service, a way to digitally sign a document using an OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number, without needing a physical USB token. It's built into many government portals as a lighter-weight alternative to a Class 3 DSC.

Aadhaar eSign vs Class 3 DSC

Both are legally recognized under the IT Act, but they suit different situations.

Aadhaar eSign

OTP-based signing tied to your Aadhaar, no hardware needed.

✓ Quick, works instantly with just an OTP
✓ Not accepted for company/LLP filings on most portals
✓ No physical token to lose or manage

Class 3 DSC

Certificate-based signing on a USB token, issued by a licensed CA.

✓ Required for MCA, GST, ICEGATE, tender portals for entities
✓ Higher assurance level, tied to a verified physical token
✓ Works offline once issued, no OTP dependency

Which one should you use?

If you're an individual signing a simple personal document and the portal explicitly accepts Aadhaar eSign, it's the faster option. But for anything involving a company or LLP, or any of the government portals covered throughout this site, MCA, GST, ICEGATE, e-Tendering, a Class 3 DSC is what's actually required.

Need a DSC rather than Aadhaar eSign?

If your filing requires a Class 3 certificate, we can get you verified and issued quickly.

Class 3 DSC accepted everywhere Aadhaar eSign isn't

Paperless Aadhaar eKYC verification for the DSC itself

Same-day issuance in most cases

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Frequently asked questions

Yes, Aadhaar-based eSign is legally recognized under the IT Act, but many portals, especially for company/LLP filings, specifically require a Class 3 DSC instead.

For company and LLP filings, no, these require a Class 3 Signing DSC, not Aadhaar eSign.

Once issued and loaded on your token, a DSC works within any signing software without needing an OTP, though the software/portal itself typically needs internet access.