What is a Digital Signature Certificate, why do we need it and how to get it?

While the physical documents are signed manually, electronic documents, for example e-forms are required to be signed digitally which can be used to authenticate important documents.

New Delhi: Digital Signature Certificates (DSC) are the digital equivalent or the electronic format of physical or paper certificates. Physical certificates such as drivers' licenses, passports or membership cards serve as proof of identity of an individual for a certain purpose --viz a driver's license identifies someone who can legally drive in a particular country. Likewise, a digital certificate can be presented electronically to prove one’s identity, to access information or services on the Internet or to sign certain documents digitally. While the physical documents are signed manually, electronic documents, for example e-forms are required to be signed digitally using a Digital Signature Certificate, and hence we need them. There are three major ways in which a person can obtain DSC from a certifying authority.