Last Updated on July 11, 2026
If you are looking into Class 2 versus Class 3 Digital Signature Certificates for filing your ITR, company incorporation, or taking part in government tenders, you must be privy to a single fact that has made the comparison obsolete: There is no more ‘Class 2’ option for a DSC. The Controller of Certifying Authorities withdrew this certificate a few years back, and now, only Class 3 certificates are issued in India.
In this blog post, you will get a detailed understanding of what once differentiated the two and why now there is only one.
Quick Summary
Earlier, Class 2 Digital Signature Certificates (DSCs) were commonly used for routine electronic filings, while Class 3 DSCs were primarily required for higher-security transactions. However, the Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA) discontinued the issuance of Class 2 DSCs with effect from 1 January 2021. Today, Class 3 DSCs are generally used for digital signing requirements, including MCA filings, Income Tax filings, GST compliance, e-tendering, and other online government services.
- Class 2 DSCs were discontinued with effect from 1 January 2021.
- Class 3 DSCs are now generally issued for individual and organisational digital signing requirements.
- Expired Class 2 DSCs must be replaced with a valid Class 3 DSC.
- Identity verification is completed as per the requirements of the Certifying Authority before issuing a DSC.
- Class 2 DSCs are no longer available for fresh issuance.
Need a Class 3 DSC?
Kanakkupillai can help you obtain a Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate quickly for MCA, GST, Income Tax, e-Tendering, and other statutory filings.
What Was a Class 2 DSC?
A Class 2 DSC would be used to check the identity of a person against a secure data source, like the PAN or Aadhaar database, and was typically used for filing with the ROC, filing an income tax return, or registration with GST. It would provide a mid-level assurance of identity.
What is a Class 3 DSC?
A Class 3 DSC is the highest-assurance digital signature certificate issued in India, requiring strict identity verification through Aadhaar e-KYC, document checks, and mandatory video verification. It supports both the routine filings that Class 2 once covered and high-risk activities like e-tendering, e-procurement, and share transfers.
Why the Comparison No Longer Applies
The Controller of Certifying Authorities discontinued Class 2 DSC issuance from 1 January 2021, in response to rising concerns about identity fraud and document tampering under the lighter verification Class 2 allowed. Certifying Authorities were directed to issue only Class 3 certificates going forward, and any Class 2 DSC still active at the time was allowed to run out its remaining validity before mandatory replacement with Class 3.
Who Needs a Class 3 DSC Today?
- Company directors and authorised signatories filing with the MCA
- Chartered accountants, company secretaries, and tax professionals signing filings on behalf of clients
- Businesses filing GST returns or applications requiring a digital signature
- Vendors and contractors participating in e-tendering or e-procurement on GeM, CPPP, or IREPS
- Importers and exporters carrying out DGFT and ICEGATE filings
For a complete guide on obtaining DSC and DPIN specifically for LLP formation, see our guide on how to obtain DSC and DPIN for LLP partners.
Eligibility and Documents Required for Class 3 DSC Registration
- PAN and Aadhaar of the applicant, for individual DSCs
- Organisational documents such as the Certificate of Incorporation for entity-based DSCs
- A valid mobile number and email ID linked to Aadhaar for e-KYC
- Passport and apostilled address proof, for foreign national applicants
Need help preparing your DSC application documents? Our experts can assist you with DSC registration in India hassle-free.
Individual DSC vs Organisation DSC
DSCs are issued to either individuals or organisations, and the application process differs:
Individual DSC (most common for directors, CAs, professionals):
- Issued in the individual’s name
- Used when they personally sign MCA or ITR filings
- Linked to personal PAN and Aadhaar
Organization/Entity DSC:
- Issued in the company or LLP name
- Used for organisational-level transactions (DGFT import-export, some tender submissions)
- Requires Certificate of Incorporation, organisational PAN, and authorisation letter
Most MCA and ITR filings use individual DSCs of the director or authorised signatory, not organisation DSCs. Applying for an organisation DSC when you need an individual one is a common mistake for first-time company directors.
Step-by-Step Process for Class 3 DSC Registration
Step 1. Choose a Certifying Authority
Select a CCA-licensed Certifying Authority and choose the applicable Class 3 certificate type, such as Sign, Encrypt, or Sign and Encrypt.
Licensed Certifying Authorities in India (2026)
| Certifying Authority | Website |
| eMudhra | emudhra.com |
| Sify Technologies | safescrypt.com |
| NSDL e-Governance | egov-nsdl.com |
| (n)Code Solutions | ncodesolutions.com |
| Capricorn Identity Services | capricornica.com |
| Pantasign | pantasign.com |
All are licensed by the Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA) under the Ministry of Electronics and IT. Avoid purchasing a DSC from unlicensed vendors or aggregators. A DSC from an unlicensed source has no legal validity under the IT Act 2000 and will be rejected by all government portals. Before applying, verify your current CCA licensing status at cca.gov.in.
Step 2. Complete e-KYC
Submit PAN and Aadhaar details and complete video-based identity verification as required by the Certifying Authority.
Step 3. Pay and receive the token
Pay the applicable fee and receive your Class 3 DSC on a USB token or through cloud-based signing, depending on the option chosen.
USB Token vs Cloud-Based DSC: Which Should You Choose?
| Feature | USB Token DSC | Cloud/Remote DSC |
| Physical device required | Yes | No |
| Works offline | Yes | No – requires internet |
| MCA V3 compatibility | Fully compatible | Check portal compatibility before buying |
| GST portal | Compatible | Generally compatible |
| DGFT/ICEGATE | Compatible | Check current portal support |
| E-tendering (GeM, CPPP) | Compatible | Varies by platform |
| Risk if the device is lost | High – must revoke and replace | Low – cloud-managed |
| Best for | High-frequency filers | Occasional filers |
Important: Before choosing cloud DSC, confirm that the specific government portal you’ll be using accepts it. MCA V3 has had compatibility inconsistencies with certain cloud signing solutions. If your primary use is MCA filing, a USB token is the safer choice until cloud DSC support is explicitly confirmed.
Need to download your Digital Signature Certificate? Read our blog on How to Download DSC Certificate Online for a step-by-step guide to access and install your DSC securely.
Class 3 DSC Fees/Cost
| Validity | Sign Only (Approx.) | Sign and Encrypt (Approx.) |
| 1 year | ₹800 – ₹1,200 | ₹1,000 – ₹1,500 |
| 2 years | ₹1,200 – ₹1,800 | ₹1,500 – ₹2,000 |
| 3 years | ₹1,500 – ₹2,500 | ₹1,800 – ₹2,800 |
These are approximate market rates across licensed Certifying Authorities. Price includes the USB token for first-time applicants. Renewal typically costs less since you reuse the existing token.
Timeline
| Applicant Type | Typical Timeline |
| Indian nationals with valid PAN and Aadhaar | 1 – 2 business days |
| Foreign nationals | 3 – 7 business days |
Latest Legal Updates
The Controller of Certifying Authorities discontinued Class 2 DSC issuance from 1 January 2021, with Class 1 also phased out as a standalone official-use category. As of 2026, video-based KYC has largely replaced in-person verification, and cloud-based remote signing is now widely accepted on MCA, GST, and DGFT portals alongside traditional USB token-based Class 3 certificates.
Compliance Requirements
- Renew your Class 3 DSC at least 30 days before expiry to avoid filing disruptions
- Re-register your renewed DSC on government portals where required after renewal
- Keep your USB token PIN confidential and never share it with third parties
- Ensure PAN and Aadhaar details match exactly to avoid e-KYC failures
Re-Registering DSC After Renewal
Getting a renewed DSC from the Certifying Authority is only step one. You must separately re-register the new certificate on every government portal where you use it:
| Portal | Re-registration Required? |
| MCA V3 | Yes — update DSC under My Profile |
| Income Tax e-filing | Yes — re-register under Profile Settings |
| GST portal | Yes — update under My Profile > DSC |
| DGFT | Yes — update user profile |
| GeM | Yes — update under Account Settings |
Missing this step means your new DSC won’t be recognised even though its valid filings will still fail. Do this on the same day you receive your renewed DSC, not when the next filing deadline arrives.
Penalty / Consequences
- Legal: Filings signed with an expired or invalid DSC are rejected by government portals
- Financial: Rejected or delayed filings due to DSC issues can attract late fees on the underlying compliance
- Business: An expired DSC can block MCA, GST, or DGFT filings until renewed, delaying business operations
Avoid filing delays with timely DSC issuance and renewal support.
Common Mistakes
- Searching for or attempting to apply for a Class 2 DSC, which is no longer issued
- Assuming an old Class 2 DSC is still valid without checking its expiry date
- Applying for a DSC at the last minute before a filing deadline, when e-KYC can take a day or two
- Letting name spellings differ between PAN and Aadhaar, causing e-KYC to fail
Practical Scenario
A newly appointed company director, guided by an old blog post, tries to apply for a Class 2 DSC to sign MCA filings, assuming it would be cheaper than Class 3. The Certifying Authority’s portal does not offer this option at all, since Class 2 has not been issued for years. The director applies for Class 3 instead, completes video KYC the same day, and receives the certificate within two business days, avoiding any further delay to the company’s filing deadline.
Expert Tips / Best Practices
- Always apply for Class 3 DSC directly, regardless of what older articles or templates suggest
- Choose Sign and Encrypt certificates if you handle both signing and confidential document exchange
- Set a renewal reminder well ahead of your DSC’s expiry date
- Verify your Certifying Authority is currently licensed by the CCA before applying
How Kanakkupillai Can Help?
Kanakkupillai helps individuals and businesses obtain and renew Class 3 DSCs quickly, ensures documents and e-KYC details are accurate the first time, and manages timely renewals so filings across MCA, GST, and DGFT portals never get disrupted.
Conclusion
The Class 2 versus Class 3 DSC debate has effectively been settled by regulation, not preference. Since 2021, Class 3 is the only certificate available, and it covers every use case that Class 2 previously handled, along with high-value transactions that Class 2 could never handle. If you are choosing a DSC today, the only real decision is which Certifying Authority and validity period to pick, not which class.
Need a Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate?
Whether you need a Class 3 DSC for MCA, GST, Income Tax, e-Tendering, or other statutory filings, our experts can help you obtain the right Digital Signature Certificate quickly and hassle-free.
FAQs
1. Can I still apply for a Class 2 DSC in 2026?
No, Class 2 DSC issuance was discontinued by the Controller of Certifying Authorities from 1 January 2021. Every Certifying Authority in India now issues only Class 3 DSCs for all purposes.
2. What happens to an old Class 2 DSC that has not expired yet?
Any Class 2 DSC issued before the discontinuation could be used until its original expiry date. By 2026, virtually all such certificates will have expired and must be replaced with a Class 3 DSC.
3. Is Class 3 DSC more expensive than Class 2 was?
The cost of the Class 3 DSC is often slightly higher than that of a Class 2, since it has a much tougher authentication process. Although Class 2 is unavailable now, it is just the current cost of getting a legally valid DSC.
4. Do all government portals now require a Class 3 DSC?
Yes, portals that previously accepted Class 2, including MCA, income tax, and GST, now require Class 3 DSC for all filings that need a digital signature.
5. How long does a Class 3 DSC remain valid?
A Class 3 DSC is typically issued for a validity of 1 or 2 years, based on the option chosen at application. It must be renewed before expiry to continue signing documents on government portals.
6. Can a foreign national obtain a Class 3 DSC in India?
Yes, any foreigner can obtain a Class 3 DSC using a valid passport with apostilled/embassy-attested proof of Address & with video verification. But this takes a few days longer.
