Digital signatures are like electronic “fingerprints.” In the form of a coded message, the digital signature securely associates a signer with a document in a recorded transaction. Digital signatures use a standard, accepted format, called Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), to provide the highest levels of security and universal acceptance. They are a specific signature technology implementation of electronic signature (eSignature).

Digital Signature also ensures that no alterations are made to the data once the document has been digitally signed. A DSC is normally valid for 1 or 2 years, after which it can be renewed

A Digital Signature is a method of verifying the authenticity of an electronic document.

Digital signatures are going to play an important role in our lives with the gradual electronization of records and documents.
The IT Act has given legal recognition to digital signature meaning, thereby, that legally it has the same value as handwritten or signed signatures affixed to a document for its verification.
The Information Technology Act, 2000 provides the required legal sanctity to the digital signatures based on asymmetric cryptosystems. The digital signatures are now accepted at par with handwritten signatures and the electronic documents that have been digitally signed are treated at par with paper documents.

There are following types of Digital Signatures:-

Class 2 Digital Signature Certificates for Income Tax Return e-filing, ROC / MCA 21

Class 2  Digital signature certificates are issued to Individual or organization for various purposes. Class 2 A digital signatures for individuals is personal certificate that provides second highest level of assurance within the RCAI hierarchy setup by CCA ( Controller of Certifying Authorities) in India which is mainly used for MCA21, ROC, Income Tax e-filing, sign a word or excel file, sign e-mail sent through Outlook and many more !!

Class 2 Digital Signature are used by Chartered Accountants or Company Secretary for their clients, for himself, for existing directors, for new company incorporation, for practicing CA or CS or ICWA.

Class 3 Digital Signature Certificates for e-Tendering / e-Procurement/e-Bidding/e-Ticketing/e-Auction/e-Bidding

Class 3 a/b digital signature certificates are issued to Individual or organization for various purposes. Class 3 A/B digital signatures for individuals/Organization is certificate that provides highest level of assurance within the RCAI hierarchy setup by CCA ( Controller of Certifying Authorities) in India which is mainly used for e-tendering or e-procurement or e-bidding.

To participate in the e-tendering process, every vendor is required to use a Class 3B Digital Signature Certificate. Class 3 Digital Signatures are issued to individuals, organizations and devices and applicable for personal and commercial use. Typically, they are used for Electronic Data Exchange ( EDI ) , internet banking/broking-tendering and other web-based transactions where confidentiality and authenticity are critical.     

What is the difference between Class 3 Digital Signature issued to Individuals or Organizations ?

DGFT Digital Signature Certificates for Importers-Exporters

DGFT Digital Signature is one of the many types of Digital Signature Certificates which is only provided by two certifying authorities ( CA) in India i.e. (n)Code Solutions & Safe Scrypt. Safe Scrypt launch this product with name Safe EXIM or Safeexim or Safe-Exim where as (n)Code Solutions launch this with name (n)exim  or (n)Exim or (n) Exim.