Are you having issues using the GST site to register your DSC? If so, then you have reached the right place. We will outline the step-by-step process for registering a DSC on the GST site in this blog. You must download a tool called e-signer before registering your Digital Signature Certificate DSC on the GST official portal.

The applicant can visit the register DSC page to download the aforementioned application to their computer. According to Income Tax regulations, the DSC must be PAN-based and encrypted with the applicant's PAN value (Permanent Account Number). It's important to note that the GST portal only accepts DSCs from classes 2 and 3.

What is Digital Signature Certificate?

In order to verify the identity of the certificate holder, the certifying authorities will provide a protected digital key known as a digital signature certificate. Digital Signatures are produced using public key encryptions. Physical certificates and digital signature certificates (DSC) both exist, however, the former is in paper form and the latter is digital or electronic.
 

In addition to the holder's name, nationality, pin code, email address, the date the certificate was granted, and the name of the certifying authority, a digital signature certificate (DSC) also includes the holder's personal information. DSC is used to electronically prove an identity, much like how a driver's licence or passport serves as proof of the licence holder's or passport holder's identity.

What is the Requirement of a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)?

You can digitally submit a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) to prove your identity, access online content or services, or sign some papers with an electronic signature. Using a digital signature certificate, e-forms are signed in the same way as physical papers are manually signed.

Digital signatures have been accepted by many government entities, and in some instances, DSC is now required by law. For instance, ITRs (income tax returns) must be filed using a digital signature if individuals or businesses require their accounts audited. Learn about digital signatures, their benefits, and the places where they are used. We also look at the instructions for using it while completing an ITR on the official tax portal.

What is the Applicability of DSC on the GST Common Portal?

For businesses and Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), a DSC is required to sign and file returns via the GST Common Portal; for other taxpayers, it is optional. A DSC takes the place of a handwritten signature. A Class 3 digital signature certificate with a 1-year, 2-year, or 3-year validity is needed for this purpose.
 

Businesses can designate workers as authorised signatories using the GST Portal, allowing them to sign and file returns on behalf of the company and make electronic payments. Any person who has registered for an enterprise on the GST portal is qualified to sign and submit GSTR on behalf of that enterprise using DSC.

Procedure to be Followed for Registering DSC on the GST Portal
 

Use the steps below, which are as follows, to register your digital signature certificate with the GST portal:

Steps to be taken in Case of New Registration

• Click the REGISTER NOW link.
• Choose the TEMPORARY REFERENCE NUMBER option (TRN).
• Put the TRN that you received in the appropriate field.
• Choose PROCEED from the menu.
• Make sure to enter the One Time Password (OTP) that the portal sends to your cellphone number & email address in the MOBILE / EMAIL OTP area. OTP has a 10-minute expiration date.
• OTPs were delivered to both email addresses and mobile numbers.
• Open the link CLICK HERE TO RESEND THE OTP if the OTP is invalid. The portal will resend the OTP to the email address or registered mobile number you provided. Re-enter the new OTP in the appropriate field.
• Choose PROCEED from the menu.
• You must now choose the option strings for the next command in the correct order. Register / Update DSC is under Services > User Services.

Steps to be taken in Case of the Existing Registration

• Open the GST Portal and sign in using your authorised information.
   
• Click the Register/Update DSC link after seeing the My Profile link.
   
• The Registered Digital Signature Certificate windows will appear on the screen. Select the PAN of the authorised
  Signatory you wish to register from the drop-down list of permitted signatories.
   
• For the purpose of registering the Digital Signature Certificate, only the Permanent Account Number supplied in the Registration form may be utilised.
   
• Mark the option I have downloaded and installed the signer with a checkmark.
   
• Next, press the PROCEED button.
   
• After selecting the certificate, press the Sign button. A successful notice stating "Your DSC has been registered successfully" will hereafter be shown.

Benefits Rendered by Registering DSC on the GST Portal
 

• Simplify the validation process while registering and filing returns.
   
• Stop the flow of phoney invoices and registrations.
   
• Significantly less time will be spent processing overall.
   
• Aids the portal in quickly identifying users.
   
• Because DSC supports end-to-end encryption, the online data are still technically secure.
   
• The requirement for in-person evaluation for registration or return filing must be eliminated with the addition of DSC to the GST system.

What Is The Applicability Of Digital Signature Certificates?
 

Digital Signature Certificates can be used to fulfil the following purposes:

• To identify other users of online payments or for secure email and online transactions.

• For the purposes of securing SSL/TLS encrypted sessions between your website and the user during online transactions, as well as to confirm domain name ownership.
   
• For ensuring the generation of a code and maintaining the integrity of the already distributed software applications or programmes as a developer.
   
• For electronic signatures on forms, e-tendering-related paperwork, IT returns, and membership-based websites that don't require a user name and password, among other things.

Which class of DSC is required for GST?

Class 3 DSC is used to file electronic papers, submit tenders and auctions electronically, e-bid, e-auction, file trademarks and logos, register corporations electronically, file tax returns electronically, and sign documents in Word or PDF, and more.
 

Class 3 Digital Signature for GST: 

Online data and information are authenticated using a digital signature certificate. This is primarily utilised on government portals where user documents and information need to be verified. A legitimate Class 3 Digital Signature is necessary for this purpose. Class 3 certificates can be used on all government portals and are highly secure. It is primarily utilised for registration and return filing on the GST, ITR, MCA, and EPFO portals. A valid Class 3 DSC certificate is necessary to submit a GSTR via the GSTN portal. The name of the authorised signatory appears on it.

Can Class 3 DSC be used for GST?

The use of a Class 3 DSC certificate for GST is permitted. The government has stopped using Class 2 DSC as of January 1; as a result, Class 3 DSC will be utilised in its place. You may utilise class 2 DSC if it is already in your possession and still valid. Any new DSC certificate created from this point on will be class 3 and used on all portals. The only digital signature certificate that will be used is the class 3 certificate for GST registration and return filing.
 

In India, registering for GST and filing GST returns both require a valid Class 3 Digital Signature. Applications for registration, documentation, and returns that are uploaded to the GST system must all be digitally signed. Therefore, the authorised individual needs to get a Class 3 digital signature.
 

What Documents are required for Class 3 DSC?

To apply for DSC, a few fundamental application documents are needed.

• Candidate Pan card
• Address verification: Aadhaar card, driver's licence, or voter ID
• Phone number and email address

How to apply Class 3 Digital Signature?

Class 3 DSC applications must be submitted entirely online. Only your Pan information, email address, and mobile number must be submitted. OTP verifications for email and cellphone are required. Single video verification is also necessary, and it can be done on a laptop or a mobile device. Your DSC certificate is ready and may be downloaded in a USB token after all necessary papers and verifications have been completed.

Conclusion: The emSigner installer might not be displayed while uploading the DSC certificate to the portal, as seen in the image below. You must launch the emSigner in such a circumstance. Click the emSigner button in the task bar to get started. It will be obvious if the installation is already running. If not, you must restart the emSigner server.