DSC Basics
Class 2 vs Class 3 DSC: What's the Difference? (2026)
Published August 6, 2026 · By DSCKart
If someone has told you to “buy a Class 2 digital signature”, the advice is out of date. The Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA) India discontinued the issuance of Class 2 Digital Signature Certificates with effect from 1 January 2021. Since then, every Certifying Authority in India issues only Class 3 certificates.
What Class 2 Was
A Class 2 DSC verified the applicant by matching the details on the application against a trusted database — typically the PAN database. It was widely used for income tax filings and routine MCA forms, and it was cheaper and quicker to issue because no live verification step was involved. That lighter verification is exactly why it was retired: it was not strong enough for high-value government transactions.
What Class 3 Is
A Class 3 DSC is issued only after the applicant proves their identity directly — Aadhaar or PAN-based eKYC combined with a short live Video KYC recorded by the applicant. It is the highest assurance level available to individuals and organisations in India and is legally valid under the IT Act, 2000. Because the verification is stronger, Class 3 is accepted everywhere Class 2 once was, plus on e-tender portals where Class 2 was never allowed.
Class 2 vs Class 3: Side by Side
| Parameter | Class 2 DSC | Class 3 DSC |
|---|---|---|
| Status in 2026 | Discontinued — not issued since 1 Jan 2021 | The only DSC currently issued in India |
| Identity verification | Database-based verification of applicant details | Aadhaar/PAN eKYC plus live Video KYC |
| Assurance level | Basic assurance | Highest assurance for individuals and organisations |
| Accepted for e-tenders | Not accepted | Accepted on GeM, CPPP and state e-procurement portals |
| Accepted for MCA, GST, Income Tax, EPFO | Historically accepted, no longer available | Accepted on all these portals |
| Storage | FIPS-compliant USB token | FIPS-compliant USB token |
| Validity options | 1 to 2 years | 1, 2 or 3 years |
Which Portals Require Class 3
- MCA21 / ROC — director and professional signatures on company and LLP forms.
- Income Tax e-Filing — mandatory for companies, LLPs and audit cases.
- GST — registration and returns for companies and LLPs.
- EPFO — employer filings and authorised signatory registration.
- DGFT — exporters and importers, using a DGFT-classified Class 3 certificate.
- e-Tender portals — GeM, CPPP and state e-procurement systems, often as a signing + encryption combo.
Assurance Level and Video KYC
Video KYC is the practical difference you will experience when buying a certificate today. You record a short video holding your PAN card and reading out a verification code sent to you. The Certifying Authority reviews it against your eKYC record and issues the certificate — usually within minutes. Nothing is couriered, notarised or physically verified, but the certificate carries a far stronger identity guarantee than Class 2 ever did.
How to Buy a Class 3 DSC
- Decide between a Class 3 Individual certificate (signed in your own name) and a Class 3 Organisation certificate (signed in the entity's name).
- Choose signing-only, or signing + encryption (combo) if you bid on e-tenders.
- Pick a validity — 1, 2 or 3 years. Compare totals on the pricing page.
- Share PAN, Aadhaar and a photograph, then complete the 2-minute Video KYC.
- Download the certificate onto a FIPS-compliant USB token — reuse your existing token if you have one.
If your old certificate has expired, the process is identical: renewal issues a fresh Class 3 certificate rather than extending the old one. See the DSC renewal page for details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Class 2 DSCs still valid in 2026?
No. CCA India stopped the issuance of Class 2 Digital Signature Certificates on 1 January 2021. Certificates issued before that date have long since expired, so every currently valid DSC in India is a Class 3 certificate.
What is the main difference between Class 2 and Class 3 DSC?
The difference is the level of identity verification. Class 2 relied on matching the applicant's details against a trusted database, while Class 3 requires stronger verification — paperless Aadhaar/PAN eKYC plus a live Video KYC — which is why it is accepted for high-value filings and tender submissions.
Can I renew an old Class 2 DSC?
No. A Class 2 certificate cannot be renewed as a Class 2 certificate. You apply for a fresh Class 3 certificate, which then works on every portal your old certificate covered.
Do I need a different Class 3 DSC for each portal?
No. One Class 3 certificate is registered on each portal you use — MCA21, Income Tax, GST, EPFO, ICEGATE and e-tender portals. The exception is DGFT, where the certificate must carry the DGFT classification.
Is Class 3 the same as 'Class III' DSC?
Yes. Class III is simply the Roman-numeral spelling of Class 3. Tender documents and portal help pages often use it, but it refers to the same certificate.
Which Class 3 DSC should an individual buy?
A proprietor, director, partner or CA signing in their own name needs a Class 3 Individual DSC. A certificate that must carry the company's or LLP's name needs a Class 3 Organisation DSC.
Class 3 Is the Only DSC You Can Buy Today
Get a Class 3 certificate issued in about 15 minutes with paperless Video KYC and free pan-India token shipping.