Two ways to sign online
There are two routes to a legally valid digital signature in India, and it helps to know which you need:
- **eSign** – an online, Aadhaar-based signature you create on the spot, with no hardware token.
- **DSC on a token** – a Class 3 certificate stored on a USB device, needed for tenders, MCA, ICEGATE and repeated signing.
How eSign works
With eSign you sign a document by verifying your identity through Aadhaar and an OTP, and a one-time signature is applied. There is nothing to install and no token to carry — ideal for signing the occasional document from a phone or laptop.
When eSign is enough
- Signing a single agreement, form or application
- One-off approvals where you do not sign often
- Situations that accept OTP-based Aadhaar eSign
When you need a full DSC instead
- E-tenders and e-procurement
- MCA / ROC and many income-tax uses
- Any portal that specifically asks for a Class 3 certificate on a token
- High-volume or repeated signing
Identity at the centre
Both routes come back to a verified identity. eSign leans on your Aadhaar; a DSC is tied to your PAN and verified before issue. Either way, the signature proves who signed and that the document was not changed afterwards.
Legally valid
Both eSign and DSC signatures are recognised under the Information Technology Act, 2000, when done through a licensed provider.
What we are building
India ID is a guide to online identity and signing in India. A simple "which do I need?" chooser is on the way.