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Last updated: 2 October 2026
Founders need Digital Signature Certificates before a company or LLP can even be incorporated. Expertvuw’s team gets Class 3 DSCs for all founders — including those living abroad — so incorporation, DPIIT recognition and first-year filings are not held up.
Company incorporation through SPICe+ and LLP incorporation through FiLLiP are filed online on the MCA portal and must be digitally signed by the proposed directors or designated partners and subscribers. Without valid DSCs for every signatory, incorporation cannot be filed.
After incorporation, DSCs are used for the commencement of business declaration, auditor appointment, director KYC, income tax and GST filings, and many other portal submissions. Founders living outside India can obtain a DSC through passport-based verification.
Only Class 3 DSCs are issued in India now, by Certifying Authorities licensed by the Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA). Planning the DSC validity period to cover the first two to three years avoids renewals at busy filing times.
Basis: Information Technology Act, 2000; CCA guidelines (Class 3 only); Companies Act, 2013 and LLP Act, 2008 e-filing requirements on the MCA portal. Last updated: 27 September 2026.
SPICe+ and FiLLiP forms must be signed with DSCs of the signatories.
Each proposed director or designated partner signing the forms needs a DSC.
Overseas founders can get DSCs with passport-based verification.
Only Class 3 certificates are issued.
Used for MCA, income tax, GST, EPFO and DPIIT-related filings.
Two- or three-year validity avoids early renewals.
Incorporation often waits on one founder’s DSC.
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Founder DSCs connect with these services.
DPIIT startup recognition.
Post-incorporation declaration.
Individual and organisation DSCs.
Director KYC filings.
More in this section: DSC for DGFT & ICEGATE · DSC for e-Tender
Identify all founders who will sign.
Gather ID and address proofs.
Submit applications with the Certifying Authority.
Complete eKYC and video verification.
Download DSCs onto tokens.
Use DSCs for incorporation filings.
Keep founder DSCs current for compliance.
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Yes. Incorporation forms on the MCA portal must be signed with DSCs of the proposed directors and subscribers.
Yes, through passport-based verification with documents attested as required by the Certifying Authority.
DPIIT applications use the company’s authorised representative; a DSC may be needed depending on the portal step.
Class 3, which is the only class now issued.
One for each person who must sign filings, usually all directors or designated partners.
ACS – Director, Expertvuw Management Pvt Ltd
DSC applications are coordinated by Expertvuw’s team. Certificates are issued by Certifying Authorities licensed by the Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA) after their own identity verification.