DSC vs eSign: Which Do You Need for MCA Filing?

If you're filing documents with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), you've likely encountered two options for digital authentication: DSC (Digital Signature Certificate) and Aadhaar eSign. Both are legally valid, but they serve different purposes and have different requirements.

Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)

A DSC is a certificate-based signature issued by a licensed Certifying Authority. It uses public-key cryptography and is valid under Section 3 of the IT Act, 2000. The signer's identity is verified through KYC before the certificate is issued.

Best for: Directors, Company Secretaries, Chartered Accountants, and anyone who signs MCA forms regularly.

• Required for: DIR-3 (DIN applications), INC-32 (SPICe+), annual returns, charge documents
• One-time cost: INR 500–1,500 plus annual renewal
• Works offline with Falcon Sign — no internet needed at time of signing
• Full control — your private key stays with you
• Accepted universally across all MCA forms and government portals

Aadhaar eSign

Aadhaar eSign is an OTP-based electronic signature under Section 3A of the IT Act. Instead of issuing a long-lived certificate, it creates a one-time signature using your Aadhaar identity, verified via OTP sent to your linked mobile number.

Best for: Subscribers signing MOA/AOA, witnesses, and occasional one-time signers.

• No certificate purchase needed — anyone with Aadhaar can use it
• Per-signature cost: INR 5–20 per signature
• Requires internet at the time of signing (OTP verification)
• Limited acceptance on some MCA forms
• Operated by licensed eSign Service Providers (ESPs)

When to Use Which?

Use DSC if: You're a director, CS, or CA who signs forms regularly. The upfront cost pays for itself after a few signatures, and you get the flexibility of offline signing.

Use Aadhaar eSign if: You're a subscriber, witness, or occasional signer who doesn't want to purchase and manage a certificate. The per-transaction cost is low and there's zero setup.

Use both: Falcon Sign supports both options. For your request-signature workflows, you can let recipients choose — those with DSCs sign with their certificate, and those without can use Aadhaar eSign.