Digital Signature Certificates (DSC) are the digital equivalent (that is an electronic format) of physical or paper certificates. Few examples of physical certificates are Drivers’ Licenses, Passports, or Membership Cards. Certificates serve as proof of identity of an individual for a certain purpose; for instance, 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.

A licensed Certifying Authority (CA) issues the digital signature. Certifying Authority (CA) means a person who has been granted a license to issue a digital signature certificate under Section 24 of the Indian IT-Act 2000.