Discuss 'Digital Signature' and 'Electronic Signature' under the Information Technology Act, 2000.

According to Section 2(1)(p) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, " Digital Signature " means authentication of any electronic record by a subscriber by means of an electronic method or procedure in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Information Technology Act, 2000. Digital signature (i.e. authentication of an electronic record by a subscriber, by electronic means) is recognised as a valid method of authentication. The authentication is to be effected by the use of "asymmetric crypto system and hash function", which envelop and transform electronic record into another electronic record. According to Section 2(1)(ta) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, " Electronic Signature " means authentication of any electronic record by a subscriber by means of the electronic technique specified in the Second Schedule and includes digital signature. Section 3A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 deals with electronic signature. A subscriber may authenticate any electronic record by such electronic signature or electronic authentication technique which is considered reliable; and may be specified in the Second Schedule. Central Government may prescribe the procedure for the purpose of ascertaining whether electronic signature is that of the person by whom it is purported to have been affixed or authenticated.