Class3 TCS Digital Signature Certificates
With the introduction of e-governance in India,
digital signature certificates have become mandatory for participation in online tenders for various Government organisations and their departments.
Digital signatures are important to verify the identity of the individual or the organisation participating in the
e-procurement process. The signatures are used to sign electronic documents which are shared via the internet. It is the digital equivalent of a hand written signature. They play a crucial role in online security. No changes can be made to the electronic document signed using electronic signatures.
Class 3 digital signature certificates provide a very high level of online security.
It also helps in verifying whether the electronic document is authentic. As per the Information Technology Act, 2000, digital signatures are legally admissible. They are based on asymmetric cryptosystems. Electronic signatures are considered at par with manual written signatures. As per the Act, certifying authorities can issue digital certificates to individuals and organisations. A through verification process is carried out by the authority before issuance of any certificates. The entire process takes about seven working days. Users can buy
digital signature certificates online in India.
Class 3 digital signature certificates come with a validity of one or two years. Every certificate comes with a start date and an expiry date. When a user submits an online application using a DSC, the validity period of a certificate is checked. The expiry dates of certificates issued are added to the certificate revocation list (CRL). Once the certificate is invalid, it is removed from the revocation list. The users are recommended to renew their certificates well in advance if they wish to apply for
online tenders or e-procurement in India.
The certificate is stored in a password protected USB device also known as an e-token. The e-token issued by the digital certificate provider is a hardware device which can be used on any computer with a USB port