How to Get a DSC for Pvt Ltd Company Directors: Documents, Steps & MCA Registration

A director of a Private Limited Company can obtain a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) by applying through a licensed Certifying Authority (CA) in India. The applicant must complete identity verification and submit the required documents, such as PAN, identity and address proof, a photograph and other applicable details. After issuance, the DSC can be associated with the MCA portal for digitally signing company forms and statutory filings.

Here is what a DSC actually is, which type to pick, what you need to apply, and how to register it on the MCA portal once you have it.

Talk to our experts for DSC and company registration support today.

What a DSC Is and Why Do Directors Need One?

A DSC is the digital equivalent of a signature. It proves that a document was signed by a verified person, and it carries the same legal weight as a handwritten signature under the Information Technology Act, 2000.

MCA filings are entirely electronic. The incorporation form, the MOA and AOA, director consents, annual returns, and most other forms are signed with a DSC. Without a valid one, a director can’t sign, and the filing can’t go through.

Which Type Should You Choose

Two choices matter: the class and the type.

Class

Class 3 is the one to apply for. Class 1 and Class 2 certificates were phased out around January 2021, so all new certificates are Class 3, with the strictest identity checks, and our guide explains the difference between Class 2 and Class 3 DSC. An older Class 2 certificate keeps working until it expires, but it cannot be renewed as Class 2.

Type

Type	Used For	Pick It If
Sign only	MCA, GST, income tax, and most government filings	You only need to file and sign returns
Sign and encrypt	The above, plus e-tendering and procurement portals	You expect to bid for government tenders

For most company directors, signing-only is enough. If tender bidding is likely, the combined certificate saves you from buying another one later. Importers and exporters filing on the DGFT portal may need a separate DGFT digital signature.

Not sure which DSC type fits your needs? Talk to our team.

Documents Required

For Indian Directors

• PAN card, since the name on the certificate must match the PAN exactly.
• Aadhaar card, with a mobile number linked to it for OTP verification.
• A recent passport-size photograph.
• Email address and mobile number belonging to the applicant.
• A scanned signature, if the Certifying Authority asks for it.

For Foreign Directors and NRIs

• Passport, as the main identity proof.
• Address proof, such as a bank statement or utility bill, attested or apostilled as required.
• A second identity document, depending on the Certifying Authority’s rules.
• Photograph, email address, and mobile number.

Foreign applicants should expect a longer verification process, commonly three to seven working days.

Step-by-Step Process: How to Get a DSC

Step 1. Choose a Licensed Certifying Authority

Pick a licensed provider such as eMudhra, Sify, or nCode, or apply through an authorised partner such as Kanakkupillai’s DSC service. Licensed providers are listed by the Controller of Certifying Authorities.

Step 2. Select the Certificate Details

Choose Class 3, the type (sign only or sign and encrypt), and the validity. Providers usually offer one, two, or three years.

Step 3. Fill In the Application

Enter your name exactly as it appears on the PAN, along with your email and mobile number. Check each field twice, since a mismatch is the most common reason for rejection.

Step 4. Upload the Documents

Attach the PAN, Aadhaar, and photograph. Make sure the scans are clear and the names match across all documents.

Step 5. Complete Verification

Verification is done through Aadhaar OTP and a short video call, which is now a standard requirement. Keep the original PAN and Aadhaar on hand.

Step 6. Make the Payment

Pay the provider’s fee, which usually includes the certificate and, if chosen, the USB token.

Step 7. Receive the Certificate

Once verified, the DSC is issued on a USB token delivered to you, or downloaded in a paperless form, depending on what you chose. Install the token’s driver before first use.

USB Token or Paperless?

A USB token stores the certificate on a physical device. It is the more traditional route, and it is the safest option for MCA filings, since the portal’s signing utilities work with it reliably.

A paperless or cloud-based DSC is delivered digitally. It is faster and convenient, and these are now widely accepted on the MCA, GST and income tax portals, but check that it works with the MCA signing utilities (emSigner and emBridge) before choosing. If you are signing MCA forms on one computer, a token is the simpler option.

Cost and Validity

Item	Typical Detail
Class 3 sign-only DSC, two years	Roughly ₹1,000 to ₹2,500, depending on the provider and token
Sign and encrypt, two years	Usually a little higher
Validity options	One, two, or three years, depending on the provider
Indian applicants, issue time	Same day to two working days
Foreign applicants, issue time	Commonly three to seven working days

Prices are set by each provider, so compare a couple before buying. Two years is often the best balance between cost and renewal hassle. For a fuller walkthrough, see our guide to the DSC registration process in India.

Does Every Director Need a Separate DSC?

Yes. A DSC is personal, and it is tied to one individual’s identity. Two directors can’t share a token or a certificate, even when they sit in the same office. Each director needs their own, and each one is responsible for signing with it personally.

One DSC is enough for a single person across all the companies and LLPs where they are a director. A new DSC is not needed for each company.

DSC vs Aadhaar eSign

Some portals accept Aadhaar eSign or OTP-based verification as an alternative to a DSC for certain filings, but MCA forms that require a director’s digital signature need a valid Class 3 DSC. Treat eSign as a convenience for specific portals, not a substitute for the DSC on MCA.

Keeping Your DSC Secure

A DSC signs legally binding documents, so treat the token like a cheque book.

• Keep the token with you, and don’t leave it plugged in at a shared computer.
• Choose a PIN that isn’t obvious, and don’t share it. Change the default PIN the first time you use the token.
• Never hand the token to a consultant for long periods without a clear arrangement.
• If it’s lost, tell the Certifying Authority immediately and ask for revocation.

Registering Your DSC on the MCA Portal

Getting the certificate is only half the job, and our detailed guide explains how to register a DSC on the MCA V3 portal. For ongoing MCA filings, the DSC needs to be associated with your account.

• Install the provider’s token driver, plus the emSigner and emBridge utilities from the MCA portal.
• Log in to your MCA V3 account as a Business User. Each director needs their own login, and a Registered User account cannot associate a DSC.
• Go to MCA Services, then DSC Services, and choose Associate DSC.
• Select the right role, Director in this case, and enter your DIN along with the other requested details.
• Pick the certificate shown by the utility and confirm.

For the incorporation form itself, the proposed directors sign with their DSCs directly. Associate the certificate on the portal once the DIN has been allotted. A provisional DIN cannot be used for association, so an approved DIN is needed. One DSC can generally be associated with only one role, so a person who is both a director and a practising professional may need a separate certificate for the other role.

Association needs an active DIN, so if it has been deactivated, see DIN reactivation.

If You Lose or Change Your DSC

If a DSC is lost, expires or is replaced, update the registered certificate through the Update DSC service on the MCA portal.

Troubleshooting Common DSC Errors

• DSC not detected: Check that the token is inserted, the driver is installed, and emSigner and emBridge are running.
• Invalid certificate: The PAN or name on the DSC must match the PAN and DIN details on the MCA portal.
• Portal freezing: Use the latest Chrome or Edge browser.

If the portal does not detect your token, see why a DSC is not working during Pvt Ltd registration.

DSC for LLP Partners, OPC Directors and Other Signatories

Designated partners of an LLP need the same Class 3 DSC, as explained in our guide on DSC and DPIN for LLP partners, and directors of an OPC follow the same process. Where a form needs a practising CA, CS or CMA to certify it, that professional’s DSC is also required.

What Happens When the DSC Expires

An expired DSC can’t sign anything. Renewal means buying a new certificate and associating it again, and the process is similar to the first application. Set a reminder at least a month before expiry, so a missing signature does not hold up an annual filing.

DSC Registration in Chennai and Tamil Nadu

Because identity checks are done by Aadhaar OTP and video call, a director in Chennai or anywhere in Tamil Nadu can get a DSC without visiting an office. Our team provides DSC registration in Chennai and can help you register a private limited company in Chennai online.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Entering a name that does not match the PAN exactly.
• Applying for Class 2, which is no longer issued.
• Using someone else’s email or mobile, which complicates later renewals.
• Skipping the driver installation, then assuming the token is faulty.
• Forgetting to associate the DSC on the MCA portal.
• Trying to associate the DSC from a Registered User account instead of a Business User account.
• Skipping the emBridge utility, which is needed along with emSigner.
• Letting the certificate expire without a reminder.
• Choosing a paperless DSC without checking that the portal supports it.

Benefits of Getting It Right

• Smooth Incorporation – Directors can sign the forms without delay.
• Fewer Rejections – Matching details avoid verification failures.
• One Certificate, Many Portals – A Class 3 DSC works for MCA, GST, and income tax filings.
• Lower Cost – A sensible validity choice avoids repeated purchases.
• No Filing Gaps – Early renewal keeps annual compliance on schedule.

Example

Two founders are about to incorporate a private limited company. They each apply for a Class 3 signing DSC, enter their names exactly as they appear on their PANs, and complete Aadhaar OTP and video verification. Both certificates arrive on tokens within a day. They sign the incorporation form without problems, and once their DINs are allotted, each creates a Business User login and associates their DSC on the MCA portal for future filings.

How Kanakkupillai Can Help

Kanakkupillai arranges Class 3 DSCs for every director, checks that names and documents match before applying, and guides the video verification. We also help associate the DSC on the MCA portal and set up renewal reminders. See our DSC service.

Conclusion

A DSC is a small piece of paperwork with a big job; without it, no director can sign anything on the MCA portal. Apply for Class 3, match the name to the PAN, complete the video verification, and choose a token unless you have confirmed a paperless option works for you. Do that before the incorporation filing starts, and the signatures won’t hold you up.

Get DSC and company registration support from Kanakkupillai today.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which class of DSC do company directors need?

Class 3. Class 1 and Class 2 certificates were phased out around January 2021, so all new DSCs are Class 3. It works for MCA, GST, and income tax filings.

2. Is a sign-only DSC enough for MCA filings?

Yes. A signing-only certificate covers MCA, GST, and income tax filings. You’d only need sign and encrypt if you plan to bid on government e-tenders.

3. How long does it take to get a DSC?

Indian applicants can typically get it the same day or within two working days. Foreign nationals usually take three to seven working days because of extra document checks.

4. What documents are needed for a director’s DSC?

For Indian directors, PAN, Aadhaar with a linked mobile number, a photograph, and email and mobile details. Foreign directors need a passport and attested address proof.

5. Do I need to register the DSC on the MCA portal?

Yes, for ongoing filings. After the DIN is allotted, associate the DSC through MCA Services, selecting the Director role and entering the DIN, from a Business User login.

6. Can I use one DSC for several companies?

Yes. A DSC belongs to the individual, so one certificate can be used for every company or LLP where the person is a director or partner.

7. Can two directors share one DSC or token?

No. Each director needs their own DSC, and they must sign with it personally.

8. What should I do if my DSC is lost or stolen?

Inform the Certifying Authority immediately and request revocation, then apply for a new DSC and update it on the MCA portal.

9. Can Aadhaar eSign replace a DSC for MCA filings?

No. Forms on the MCA portal that require a digital signature need a valid Class 3 DSC. eSign works only on portals that accept it.

10. Does a DSC work for GST and income tax filings too?

Yes. A Class 3 signing certificate works on the MCA, GST and income tax portals.

11. Do LLP partners and OPC directors need a DSC as well?

Yes. Designated partners of an LLP and directors of an OPC need a Class 3 DSC in the same way.

12. Can a foreign director get a DSC in India?

Yes. A foreign director needs a passport, attested or apostilled address proof and the Certifying Authority’s additional documents. The process usually takes three to seven working days.