The Digital Signature Certificate is an encrypted electronic signature of an individual. Individuals' digital signatures are issued by Certifying Agencies appointed by the Controller of Certification Agencies. The DSCs are kept in secured USB drivers that require a password to access.

To file different government returns online, such as corporate annual returns, GST returns, income tax returns, and other statutory filings, a person must get a Class 3 DSC. Indian businesses can register their businesses online using the MCA site and e-file company paperwork and returns by adding the authorised people's DSCs.

Who can apply for online dsc registration on MCA Portal?

Any person who wants to file any sort of documents relating to any company/corporation online on the ministry of corporate affairs (MCA) portal. The below-mentioned persons can file for DSC registration online on the MCA portal: 

• Manager of a company/corporation
• Director of a company/corporation
• Chartered Accountant (CA)
• Authorised representatives of a company
• Practising professionals like ICWAL, ICSI, ICAI
• Nodal Officers of Iepe
• Deputy Nodal Officers of IEPE

Step by Step DSC registration process online on the MCA portal

For the Directors

Step 1. To register a DSC online on the MCA portal, one needs to open the homepage of the ministry of corporate affairs (MCA) portal.

Step 2. After that, you need to select the associate option

Step 3. Next, choose the “Director” option from the drop-down list

• Enter the Director Identification Number/Designated Partner Identification Number on the following page.
• Fill in the needed information, such as your name, birth date, and father's name, and then click the 'Next' button. The details submitted by the director in Form DIR-3/DIR-6 will be verified by the system.

Step 4. Click the 'Select Certificate' button after entering the email address. Install and download the MCA E-Signer from the URL provided on the screen to upload the DSC.

• Click the 'Submit' button after selecting/ticking the 'Declaration' box.

• A new page will appear, asking the user to choose a digital signature and provide their DSC password.
• Then press the 'Submit' button. The DSC will be successfully connected with the MCA, according to an acknowledgement message.

For Manager/ Secretary & Other Officials

• Go to the MCA portal

• On the Ministry of Corporate Affairs portal site, select the 'MCA Services' tab.
• Click the 'Associate DSC' button under the 'DSC Services' option.
• Then, from the drop-down list, choose 'Manager/Secretary' as your role.
• Enter your income tax PIN on the following page.
• Fill in the needed information, such as your name, birth date, and father's name, and then click the 'Next' button. The data supplied in Form DIN-3 will be verified by the system.
• Click the 'Select Certificate' button after entering the email address. Install and download the MCA E-Signer from the URL shown on the screen to upload the DSC.
• Click the 'Submit' button after selecting/ticking the 'Declaration' box.
• A new page will appear, asking the user to choose a digital signature and input their DSC password.
• Then press the 'Submit' button. The DSC will be successfully connected with the MCA, according to an acknowledgement message. 

For Practising Professionals

• Go to the MCA portal
• On the Ministry of Corporate Affairs portal site, select the 'MCA Services' tab.
• Click the 'Associate DSC' button under the 'DSC Services' option.
• Then, from the drop-down list, choose 'Practising Professional' as your role.
• Choose the Institution (ICAI, ICSI, or ICWAI) on the following page, then fill in the enrolment date, number of membership, certificate of practise number, membership type, and click the 'Next' button. The details will be verified by the system using records given by the relevant professional institute.
• Enter your PAN (Personal Identification Number). Check and double-check the PAN.
• Select a certificate by clicking the 'Select Certificate' button. Install and download the MCA E-Signer from the URL provided on the screen to upload the DSC.
• Click the 'Submit' button after selecting/ticking the 'Declaration' box.
• A new page will appear, asking the user to choose a digital signature and provide their DSC password.
• Then press the 'Submit' button. The DSC will be successfully connected with the MCA, according to an acknowledgement message.

For Nodal Officers- IEPF

• Go to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) portal
• On the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) portal site, select the 'MCA Services' tab.
• Click the 'Associate DSC' button under the 'Digital Signature Certificate Services' option.
• Then, from the drop-down list, choose 'Nodal Officer-IEPF' as your role.
• Fill in your income tax PAN on the following page.
• Fill in the needed information, such as your name, birth date, and father's name, and then click the 'Next' button. The details will be verified by the system using the records given by the IEPF authorities.
• Click the 'Select Certificate' button after entering the email address. Install and download the MCA E-Signer from the URL provided on the screen to upload the DSC.
• Click the 'Submit' button after selecting/ticking the 'Declaration' box.
• A new page will appear, asking the user to choose a digital signature and provide their DSC password.
• Then press the 'Submit' button. The DSC will be successfully connected with the MCA, according to an acknowledgement message.

For Authorised Representatives

• Go to the MCA homepage
• On the Ministry of Corporate Affairs portal site, select the 'MCA Services' tab.
• Click the 'Associate DSC' button under the 'DSC Services' option.
• Then, from the drop-down list, choose 'Nodal Officer-IEPF' as your role.
• Fill in your income tax PAN on the following page.
• Fill in the needed information, such as your name, birth date, and father's name, and then click the 'Next' button. The details will be verified by the system using the records given by the IEPF authorities.
• Click the 'Select Certificate' button after entering the email address. Install and download the  MCA E-Signer from the URL provided on the screen to upload the DSC.
• Click the 'Submit' button after selecting/ticking the 'Declaration' box.
• A new page will appear, asking the user to choose a digital signature and provide their DSC password.
• Then press the 'Submit' button. The DSC will be successfully connected with the MCA, according to an acknowledgement message.

Benefits of Digital Signature Certificate Registration Online on the MCA Portal

Lesser cost & time: An authorised person who can sign business documents and forms can save time and money by not having to physically fill out, sign, and mail the paperwork to the Registrar of Companies. By attaching the DSC to the MCA site, it may be done rapidly online.

Data Integrity: The integrity of data is ensured by electronically signed papers with the aid of DSC. Government agencies need Indian enterprises to sign papers with a DSC, which certifies and validates the company's authorised commercial transactions.

The authenticity of Documents: The legitimacy of papers signed with a DSC is ensured. The DSC affixed to the documents filed by Indian firms assures the Registrar of Companies (ROC) that the documents have not been changed or tampered with.

Conclusion

All business e-forms, returns, and documents uploaded on the MCA site must be digitally signed by affixing the DSC of authorised people such as company proprietors, directors, managers, or the firm's CA. For e-filing to be possible online, authorised people must associate or register their Digital Signature Certificate on the MCA portal.

Online legal India is a one-stop solution for your legal requirements. You can get your Digital Signature Certificate registered online on the Ministry of Corporate Affairs portal in a few easy steps.