Who are all the persons required to obtain Digital Signature Certificates?

The e-forms are required to be authenticated by the authorized signatories using Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) as defined under the Information Technology Act, 2000. A digital signature is the electronic signature duly issued by a certifying authority that shows the authority of the person signing the same. It is an electronic equivalent of a written signature. Every user who is required to sign an e-form for submission with MCA is required to obtain a Digital Signature Certificate. For MCA-21, the following four types of users are identified as users of Digital Signatures and are required to obtain digital signature certificate: MCA (Government) Employees. Professionals (Company Secretaries, Chartered Accountants, Cost Accountants and Lawyers) who interact with MCA and companies in the context of Companies Act. Authorized signatories of the Company including Managing Director, Directors, Manager or Secretary. Representatives of Banks and Financial Institutions. All companies (Public Company, Private Company, Company not having share capital, Company limited by share or guarantee, Unlimited Company) must comply with this requirement of registration of DSC by the director, manager and secretary. Foreign directors are required to obtain Digital Signature Certificate from an Indian Certifying Authority (List of Certifying Authorities is available on the MCA portal). The process of registration of DSC is same as applicable to others.