What do you mean by Electronic Signature Certificate under the Information Technology Act 2000? Discuss the procedure to obtain Electronic Signature Certificates under the Act.

According to Section 2(1)(tb) of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (the Act), "Electronic Signature Certificate" means an Electronic Signature Certificate issued under Section 35 and includes Digital Signature Certificate. As per section 35 of the Act, Certifying authority issues electronic signature Certificate. Following is the procedure of obtaining electronic signature Certificate: Any person may make an application in prescribed form to the Certifying Authority for the issue of electronic signature Certificate in such form as may be prescribed by the Central Government. Every such application shall be accompanied by prescribed fees. Every such application shall be accompanied by a certification practice statement or where there is no such statement, a statement containing such particulars, as may be specified by regulations. On receipt of an application, the Certifying Authority may, after consideration of the certification practice statement or the other statement and after making such enquiries as it may deem fit, grant the electronic signature Certificate or for reasons to be recorded in writing, reject the application. It may be noted that no application shall be rejected unless the applicant has been given a reasonable opportunity of showing cause against the proposed rejection.