Question 1

What is a Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) and where is it used?

Accepted Answer

A Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is the highest level of electronic security certificate issued by Certifying Authorities (CAs like eMudhra, Capricorn, VSign, Pantasign) under the Information Technology Act, 2000. It is legally mandatory for: MCA Company Incorporations & Director KYC, Income Tax E-Filing & Audits, GST Portal filings, ICEGATE Customs, EPFO/ESIC employer portals, and Government E-Tendering (GeM / CPPP).

Question 2

What is the difference between Signing-Only DSC and Combo (Signing + Encryption) DSC?

Accepted Answer

A Signing DSC is used for authenticating identity and signing digital forms on MCA, Income Tax, GST, and DGFT portals. A Combo (Signing + Encryption) DSC contains dual keys (one for signing and one for encrypting bid documents) and is legally mandatory for participating in Central/State Government E-Tenders and e-Auctions.

Question 3

How fast can TaxQue issue a Class 3 DSC?

Accepted Answer

Our direct paperless e-KYC integration allows us to process video verification and issue your Class 3 DSC within 30 to 60 minutes. The pre-configured FIPS-certified USB Token (HYP2003 / ePass2003) is dispatched via express courier or configured for instant remote signing.

Question 4

Who will manage our DSC issuance at TaxQue?

Accepted Answer

Your DSC is processed by our certified Digital Identity and Cryptographic Compliance Team. We assist with live Aadhaar OTP e-KYC, guide you through the 30-second mobile video verification, and configure the USB token drivers.

Question 5

What is the validity period of a Class 3 DSC?

Accepted Answer

A Class 3 DSC can be issued for a validity period of 1 Year, 2 Years, or 3 Years. Most business owners and directors choose the 2-Year or 3-Year validity to avoid annual renewal hassles.

Question 6

What documents are required to obtain an Individual Class 3 DSC?

Accepted Answer

For Paperless Aadhaar e-KYC: (1) Aadhaar Card (linked to active mobile for OTP), (2) PAN Card, (3) Passport-size photo, and (4) 30-second Video Verification recorded on your phone. Zero physical paperwork is required.

Question 7

What is an Organization / Corporate Class 3 DSC and who needs it?

Accepted Answer

An Organization DSC is issued in the name of an individual along with the official company/organization name (e.g. for Authorized Signatories of Companies, Banks, or LLPs). It requires submitting the Certificate of Incorporation, Board Resolution authorizing the signatory, and GST certificate. TaxQue issues both Individual and Organization DSCs.

Question 8

Can a Foreign National or NRI obtain an Indian Class 3 DSC remotely?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Foreign directors and NRIs can obtain an Indian Class 3 DSC remotely by providing an apostilled/notarized foreign passport, overseas address proof, and completing online video verification. TaxQue specializes in cross-border foreign director DSCs.

Question 9

What is a FIPS-Certified Cryptographic USB Token and why is it mandatory?

Accepted Answer

Under CCA (Controller of Certifying Authorities) security guidelines, Class 3 DSC keys can ONLY be stored inside password-protected, hardware-encrypted USB crypto tokens (such as HYP2003, ProxKey, or ePass2003 Auto) certified under FIPS 140-2 Level 2. DSCs cannot be downloaded directly onto a computer hard drive.

Question 10

Can an existing USB Token be reused during DSC Renewal?

Accepted Answer

Yes! If you already possess a valid FIPS-certified hardware USB token, you do not need to buy a new token. TaxQue can download the renewed certificate directly into your existing USB token, saving hardware costs.

Question 11

What happens if I forget my USB token password or lock the token?

Accepted Answer

If you enter the wrong PIN 5 to 15 times, the USB token gets permanently locked for security. TaxQue provides token unblocking PIN tools and remote assistance to reset your hardware token.

Question 12

Is a Class 3 DSC legally admissible as evidence in Indian courts?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Under Section 4 and 5 of the Information Technology Act, 2000, digital signatures executed with a valid Class 3 DSC hold the exact same legal validity, authenticity, and binding effect as physical handwritten ink signatures in all courts across India.

Question 13

What is the fee for Class 3 DSC issuance with TaxQue?

Accepted Answer

We offer transparent, fixed pricing covering DSC certificate issuance, e-KYC verification, original hardware USB token, and doorstep express courier delivery with zero hidden charges.

Question 14

How do I register my new DSC on the MCA V3, Income Tax, and GST portals?

Accepted Answer

Our technical team provides remote desktop setup via AnyDesk or TeamViewer to install token drivers, configure Web PKI / emBridge utilities, and register your DSC on the MCA V3, Income Tax, and ICEGATE portals.

Question 15

What should I do if my USB token is lost or stolen?

Accepted Answer

If your hardware token is lost, TaxQue immediately revokes the old certificate on the Certifying Authority portal to prevent unauthorized misuse, and issues a fresh replacement DSC within 1 hour.

Question 16

Does TaxQue offer bulk DSC packages for corporate accounting departments?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We offer discounted bulk DSC issuance and annual key management packages for CA firms, corporate secretarial teams, and enterprise HR departments.

Feature & Deliverable Matrix	Basic	Standard★ Most Popular	Premium
Statutory Document Eligibility Verification & Gap Analysis	✓	✓	✓
Official Government Portal Application & Declaration Drafting	✓	✓	✓
Pre-Submission Regulatory Compliance Scrutiny	✓	✓	✓
Official Registration Certificate / License Delivery	✓	✓	✓
Transparent Process with Zero Hidden Departmental Charges	✓	✓	✓
Assigned Regulatory Licensing Specialist & Compliance Lead	—	✓	✓
Express Priority Queue Processing for Fast Turnaround	—	✓	✓
Department Query Resolution & Inspector Clarification Handling	—	✓	✓
Digital Signature (DSC) Attestation & Verification Support	—	✓	✓
Annual License Renewal Tracking & Expiry Advance Reminders	—	—	✓
Mandatory Annual Return Filing (e.g. Form D-1 / Activity Reports)	—	—	✓
Comprehensive Multi-Location Regulatory Licensing Audit	—	—	✓
Direct Priority Phone & Advisory Access to Senior Partner	—	—	✓

Applicant Category	Mandatory Documentation Required	Verification Mode
Individual / Director Class 3 DSC	PAN Card, Aadhaar Card, Passport Photo, Active Mobile Number & Email	Aadhaar OTP + 15-Sec Video KYC
Organization Class 3 DSC (Company/LLP)	Applicant PAN, Certificate of Incorporation, Board Resolution / Authorization Letter, GSTIN	Organizational Video KYC + Director sign-off
Foreign National DSC	Passport (Apostilled / Attested), Address Proof (Bank Statement/Utility bill), Video verification	Foreign National KYC protocol

DSC Validity Term	Available Validity Options	Processing Timeline
1-Year Validity DSC	Valid for 365 days from issuance date	Issued within 15 to 30 minutes (Express)
2-Year Validity DSC (Most Popular)	Valid for 730 days from issuance date	Issued within 15 to 30 minutes (Express)
3-Year Validity DSC	Valid for 1,095 days from issuance date	Issued within 15 to 30 minutes (Express)
Hardware USB Token Dispatch	Shipped immediately upon certificate generation	2 to 3 days delivery via Express Courier

Certificate Type	Included Credentials	Primary Use-Case Portal
Class 3 Signing Only	Digital Signing Certificate (SHA-256)	MCA V3, Income Tax E-Filing, GST Returns, EPFO, Trademark IP Portal
Class 3 Signing + Encryption Combo	Both Signing and Data Encryption Certificates	e-Tendering, GeM Portal, Indian Railways (IREPS), Defence Procurement, High Court E-Filing
Organization Signing + Encryption	Issued in the name of the Company / Government Entity	Corporate e-Bidding, PSU Tenders, Customs ICEGATE Brokerage

Feature	TaxQue Certified DSC Desk	Generic Online Token Sellers	Local Photocopy Shops
FIPS-Certified USB Hardware Token	Genuine ProxKey / HYP2003 FIPS 140-2 certified token included	Cheap uncertified tokens that corrupt easily	No hardware token provided
Remote Installation & Driver Setup	Free remote technical support for MCA V3 / IT portal driver linking	Zero technical support (user stranded with driver bugs)	Cannot resolve Java/EMBridge errors
Signing + Encryption Combo Support	Proper dual-certificate configuration for e-Tendering & GeM	Only gives signing certificate (fails in e-Tenders)	Unfamiliar with encryption certificates

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Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) Online Issuance Services

What is DSC Certificate?

Class 2 Discontinuation & Class 3 Mandate

How to Get Started

Video-KYC & Paperless Verification

Certifying Authority Approval & Certificate Generation

USB Token Download & Express Courier Dispatch

Documents Required for DSC Certificate

Statutory Validity Terms & Timelines for Class 3 DSC

Class 3 DSC Certificate Types & Use-Cases

Why Choose DSC Certificate

15-Minute Express Video-KYC Approval

FIPS 140-2 Certified Cryptographic Token

Free Remote Desktop Setup Assistance

Eligibility Criteria for Class 3 DSC

1Eligible Individuals & Entities

TaxQue DSC Services vs Incomplete Online Sellers

Key Features of TaxQue DSC Services

15-Minute Instant Approval

All-Portal Compatible

Hardware Token Included

Frequently Asked Questions

What Our Clients Say

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