For the authentication of users on the GST portal, there are three options, viz. Digital Signature Certificate, Electronic Signature, and Electronic Verification Code.
Electronic Signature
Electronic signatures, as the term suggests, are online signatures that can be used by Aadhaar cardholder to sign documents electronically. The registered mobile number will receive a one-time password when the documents are electronically signed on the GST portal.
Electronic Verification Code
Electronic Verification Codes are used to authenticate the user’s identity on the GST portal through the generation of a one-time password. The one-time password will be sent through email or SMS to the email ID and registered mobile number of the user. A valid Aadhaar card is mandatory along with a registered mobile number for those who wish to avail Electronic Verification Code.
Digital Signature Certificate
A Digital Signature Certificate is a digital version of paper or physical certificates. This certificate may be presented online as proof of an individual’s identity. It can also be used to gain access to services or information online as well as to sign documents electronically.
The main purpose of a Digital Signature Certificate, or DSC, as it is known in its abbreviated form, is to establish the identity of an individual at the time of filing documents electronically. It is the digital version of an individual’s regular handwritten signature. When it comes to the enrolment of companies, limited liability partnerships (LLPs), international companies, and foreign limited liability partnerships (FLLPs), the enrolment application will have to be signed electronically using DSC.
Who can use DSC?
The following is a table which contains the constitution and the individual/s from the constitution who can sign using DSC:
| Proprietor | Proprietor |
| Hindu Undivided Family | Karta |
| Partnership | Managing partner |
| Trust registration | Managing trustee |
| LLP / Company | Authorised signatories, with due authorization from the LLP / board of the company |
| Society, club | Authorised signatories, with due authorization from the management committee |
| Statutory body | Authorised signatories |
| Local authority | Authorised signatories |
| Government department | Authorised signatories |
How to Obtain DSC?
Any certifying authority within the country can provide individuals with a DSC. To obtain a DSC, individuals will have to fill in the relevant application form and attach to it the supporting documents as required. A fee will also have to be paid to obtain a DSC. DSCs can be granted by certifying authorities as they have a license under Section 24 of the Indian IT-Act, 2000. Class 2 or Class 3 certificates can be obtained from any of the following authorities:
- E-Mudhra
- IDRBT Certifying Authority
- Tata Consultancy Services
- Code Solutions
- National Informatics Center
- SafeScrypt CA Services, Sify Communications Ltd.
Registration of Digital Signature Certificate on the GST Portal
Prior to registration of the DSC on the GST portal, individuals will have to install a utility app called emSigner. To download the utility, individuals will have to visit the Register DSC page. All private limited companies, public limited companies, foreign companies, unlimited companies, public sector undertakings, limited liability partnerships and foreign limited liability partnerships will have to obtain DSC.
For new registrations of DSC on the GST portal, the following procedure must be followed:
- Visit https://www.gst.gov.in/.
- For new registration, hit the link that says ‘REGISTER NOW’.
- The TRN (Temporary Reference Number) option must be selected, and in the same field, enter the TRN you receive.
- Hit the ‘PROCEED’ option.
- Enter the one-time password sent to your email ID and mobile number in the email / mobile OTP field. Please note that the validity of the one-time password expires in 10 minutes.
- Hit the ‘PROCEED’ option.
- Click on the option that says ‘Services’ and the drop-down menu will give you options from which you will have to select ‘User Services’ and then select ‘Register / Update DSC Command’.
For existing registrations of DSC on the GST portal, the following procedure must be followed:
- Visit the GST portal and enter your valid credentials.
- Click on the ‘My Profile’ option.
- Select the ‘Register / Update DSC’ option.
- You will be redirected to the ‘Register Digital Signature Certificate’ page, wherein you will have to click on the drop-down list that says ‘PAN of Authorised Signatory’.
- Select the PAN of the authorized signatory that has to be registered.
- Check the ‘I have downloaded and installed the signer checkbox’.
- Select the ‘PROCEED’ option.
- Choose the certificate and hit the ‘Sign’ option.
- A message will be displayed on the screen, saying “Your DSC has been successfully registered”.
Updation of DSC on the GST Portal
Once your DSC has been renewed, it will have to be updated on the GST portal. The following is the procedure to update the DSC on the GST portal:
- Visit https://www.gst.gov.in.
- Use your valid credentials to log in to the portal.
- Click on the link that says ‘My Profile’.
- Hit the link that says ‘Register / Update DSC’.
- You will be redirected to the ‘Register Digital Signature Certificate’ page, wherein you will have to click on the drop-down list that says ‘PAN of Authorised Signatory’.
- Select the PAN of the authorized signatory that has to be registered.
- Select the ‘UPDATE’ option.
- You will be asked if you are sure whether you want to re-register your DSC, select the ‘CONTINUE’ option.
- Choose the certificate and hit the ‘Sign’ option.
- The screen will display a message that says DSC has been successfully updated.
