MCA Compliant Organization DSC

June 13, 2025 by Team Instabizfilings

Introduction

Businesses and government services have moved online, Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) have become essential for secure and verified digital communication. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) mandates the use of DSCs for company registrations, statutory filings, and annual compliance processes. Any organization interacting with the MCA through the MCA21 portal must use a DSC issued by an approved certifying authority. This guide explains what a DSC is, why it’s important, and how to obtain and use one effectively.

What is a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)?

To check the authenticity of a person’s identity, Certifying Authorities (CAs) give out Digital Signature Certificates (DSC). DSCs use public key infrastructure (PKI) and contain information such as:

The user's name
Public key
Serial number
Expiry date
Issuer's details
Digital signature of the CA

MCA and the Need for DSC

To file online with the MCA, companies and LLPs need DSCs. This includes:

Registering an SPICe with the Companies Registry in Hong Kong
Approved by the Accountancy Regulatory Board, the annual filings are: (1) AOC-4 and (2) MGT-7
The new guidelines for KYC check are known as Director KYC
Changes among the members of the board
Generation and alteration of charges
Every document I submit via the Internet

Reason why MCA-compliant DSCs are necessary is because they guarantee the following points:

Means by which the document was signed
Trustworthiness of papers
The agreement that nothing can be disavowed by parties who signed it

Types of DSCs Used in MCA Filings

Only Class 3 DSCs or Class 3 Signing Certificates are required for using DSCs with the MCA. Only after verifying a person’s identity in person or by video will a Class 3 DSC be issued.

Authorities in organisations are able to issue Drivers’ Cards to:

For handling formation and compliance matters, the directors/partners must sign relevant documents.
The company’s Authorised Signatories are responsible for carrying out operational filings.
Individuals can pursue certification or attestation in different ways as a CA, CS or Cost Accountant.

What is an Organisation DSC?

An Organization DSC is one of the Class 3 DSCs that has both the person’s name and the organisation’s name on it. It applies when the signatory stands in for an organization. A CDI is not the same as a personal DSC, as it stands for something more than a person.

A company that follows the MCA Standards for Cryptocurrency Organisation DSC guarantees the following.

An official of the organisation could be its spokesperson or representative.
All activities are traceable to the organisation.
Adds another degree of confidence in visiting government portals

Who Can Issue MCA-Compliant DSCs?

DSCs are provided by CA providers, each of which is authorised by the Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

eMudhra
Sify
Capricorn
NSDL
VSign
IDSign

Process of Obtaining an MCA-Compliant Organization DSC

Choose a Certifying Authority (CA):

Check the website of any certified online auction company for more information.

Fill DSC Application Form:

Once in the signature role, decide if you need “Organisation User” and “Class 3 – Signing” or “Signing + Encryption.”
Show the company’s important information such as PAN and registration number, as well as address.
After signing, send in an authorised signer’s ID/address documents.

Verification Process:

Access to personal information via a video or in person.
A few providers offer Aadhaar eKYC as a way to issue mobile numbers.

Make Payment:

The price for DSC is between ₹500 and ₹2500 and depends on the duration and the CA.

Download and Install DSC:

As soon as it is approved, copy DSC onto your FIPS-compliant USB Token.
Install DSC on your system and finish the registration process at the MCA21 portal.

Validity and Renewal

DSCs normally expire after 1 to 3 years.
Can be renewed before expiry.
After expiry, filing on the MCA portal will not be possible unless renewed.

Registering DSC on the MCA Portal

Following issuance, the DSC should be entered on the MCA website.

Log on to the MCA21 Portal.
Go to Login → select Associate DSC
Type in your PAN and your job title (such as Director, Manager, Professional).
Use a USB token to pick out and set up your DSC.

Best Practices & Compliance Tips

Always make sure the DSC is secure; use only USB tokens that are FIPS certified.
The Certifying Authority needs your KYC file to be always up to date.
Make sure to update the DSC before it runs out to stay compliant.
Every time a new MCA form is created or a new role is added, you should register/associate the DSCs involved.
Cancel all lost or stolen DSCs as soon as it comes to your notice, by reaching out to the CA.

Legal Framework Governing DSCs in India

Information Technology Act, 2000
Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (Digital documents admissible as evidence)
Rules given by Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA) in accordance with MeitY
MCA Notifications and guidelines

Conclusion

An Organization DSC that meets MCA requirements helps a company conduct its filings and governance securely and legally. It allows businesses to use government services, reduces their use of paper and guarantees real identities.

Organizations should confirm that their DSCs are valid, authorized through MCA registration and were properly issued to help ensure they can work well and follow the rules.

Disclaimer

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