Tiffany Haney
Digital signatures are used to sign electronic documents, and they come in different types and classes. A Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is a type of digital signature that is issued by a Certifying Authority (CA) and is used to verify an individual's PAN (Permanent Account Number). To check if a PAN is associated with a DSC, one must compare the hash value of the PAN with the hash value in the DSC. This can be done manually or by using an online comparison tool. Additionally, the validity of a digital signature on a PAN card can be checked by opening the electronic signature document and following the steps to validate the signature.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) purpose | Used to sign electronic documents digitally |
| DSC types | Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 |
| DSC issuance | Issued by a Certifying Authority (CA) licensed by the Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA) |
| DSC issuance requirements | Submission of identification documents and completion of specific procedures |
| DSC and PAN | If DSC is Class 2 or Class 3, PAN is mandatorily included |
| PAN verification | Compare hash values using Internet Explorer or online tools like onlinemd5.com |
| Hash value characteristics | Always 32 characters in length, case-sensitive, and space-sensitive |
| Hash value calculation | Practically impossible to reverse calculate |
| PAN hash value calculation | PAN in UPPER case |
| DSC for PAN verification | Only the registered DSC can be used for PAN verification |
| DSC renewal/change requirements | DSC change request, authorization letter, screenshots of new DSC |
| Adobe Reader validation | Click on document's electronic signature, select "Signature Validation Status", choose "Signature Properties", show signature's certificate", select "Trust", add to "Trusted Certificates", validate signature |
| e-PAN signature validation | Green "Tick Mark" indicates validation |
| Aadhaar e-signature | Online service allowing Aadhaar holders to sign electronic documents using Aadhaar-based eSignature |
| Aadhaar signature validation | Download Aadhaar card, open with Adobe Acrobat Reader, right-click on 'Validity Unknown', select 'Validate Signature' or 'Signature Properties' |
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What You'll Learn
Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) types
A Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is used to sign documents electronically, ensuring the authenticity of the signer and the integrity of the documents. DSCs are classified into three classes: Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3. Class 2 and Class 3 DSCs are issued by a Certifying Authority (CA) after the submission of identification documents and the completion of certain procedures. The details collected include the Permanent Account Number (PAN) of the applicant.
DSCs can be obtained by approaching Certifying Authorities (CAs) with original supporting documents, and self-attested copies are typically sufficient. DSCs can also be obtained using Aadhar eKYC-based authentication, where supporting documents are not required. Additionally, a letter or certificate issued by a bank containing the DSC applicant's information can be accepted.
DSCs are typically issued with one or two years of validity and can be renewed upon expiry. They are particularly useful for companies or LLPs that are required to file documents electronically under the MCA21 e-Governance programme, ensuring the security and authenticity of the submitted documents.
To verify the PAN associated with a DSC, one can compare the hash value of the PAN with the hash value in the DSC using the Sha256 algorithm. This algorithm ensures that sensitive information like PAN cannot be stored directly in the DSC, providing an additional layer of security.
It is important to note that only the DSC registered with the user can be used for verifying PANs. If the DSC has expired or needs to be changed, the user must provide the necessary documents, including a DSC change request and screenshots of the new DSC.
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Hash value comparison
In the context of digital signatures, hash functions are used to create a digital fingerprint of the document being signed. The hash value is then encrypted using the signer's private key, forming the digital signature. This signature can be verified at any time by decrypting the hash with the public key and comparing it to the hash of the original message or document. If the hash values match, the signature is valid, confirming the authenticity and integrity of the document.
When selecting a hash function for a digital signature scheme, it is important to consider factors such as resistance to collisions, preimages, consistency, efficiency, speed, and security. Commonly used hash functions include SHA-2, SHA-3, BLAKE2, and RIPEMD, each offering varying levels of security, performance, and resistance to attacks. It is crucial to use cryptographically secure hash functions like SHA-256 or SHA-3 instead of older, weaker algorithms to prevent potential vulnerabilities.
To check the PAN in a digital signature, one must compare the hash value of the PAN with the hash value in the DSC (Digital Signature Certificate). This comparison ensures that the PAN captured in the DSC is correct. In the case of DSC, sensitive information like PAN is not stored directly due to security concerns. Instead, a hash algorithm like sha256 is used to generate a hash value that remains constant for a given input, ensuring privacy.
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$89.95
Online PAN verification
To verify your PAN online, you can use the e-Filing portal for all users except External Agencies, which require login access. Here are the steps to verify your PAN:
- Log in to the e-Filing portal using your user ID and password.
- Click on 'Services' and then select 'View PAN details'.
- On the 'Verify Your PAN' page, enter your PAN, full name, and date of incorporation (DOI) or date of birth (DOB), and click 'Continue'.
- On the Verification page, enter the 6-digit OTP received on your mobile number and click 'Validate'.
- Note that the OTP will be valid for 15 minutes, and you have three attempts to enter the correct OTP.
Additionally, the Income Tax Department (ITD) has authorised Protean eGov Technologies Limited to launch an online PAN verification service. Users can log in and verify up to five PANs on the screen or upload a file containing a maximum of 1000 PANs. Within 24 hours, the site will provide a response file with the PAN details.
It's important to note that if you're using a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) for PAN verification, it must be registered with Protean. If your DSC has expired or changed, you'll need to submit specific documents for renewal or update, including a DSC change request and screenshots of the new DSC.
To ensure the accuracy of the PAN captured in the DSC, you can compare the hash value with the one displayed in Internet Explorer. This verification step addresses privacy and security concerns, as sensitive information like PAN cannot be directly stored in the DSC.
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Adobe Reader validation
Adobe Acrobat Reader is a free PDF software that allows users to validate digital signatures in PDF documents. This feature is essential for verifying the authenticity and integrity of documents, especially in legal, business, and official communications.
To validate a digital signature in Adobe Reader, follow these steps:
- Open the PDF with the digital signature in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Click on the menu button in the upper-left corner and select "Preferences" from the dropdown.
- In the "Preferences" menu, navigate to the "'Signatures' tab" and click on the "More" button in the Verification section.
- Review the signature details in the Signature Properties dialog box. This will provide information such as the signature's date and time, the use of a timestamp server, and any warnings or issues with the signature.
- If the signature status is unknown or unverified, you can validate the signature by checking the signer's certificate and its validity. The authenticity verification confirms that the signer's certificate or its parent certificates exist in the validator's list of trusted identities.
- To add the signer's certificate to Adobe's list of Trusted Identities, open the Certificate Viewer dialog box, click on the "'Trust' tab", and then select "Add to Trusted Certificates."
- Click "OK" in the trust settings pop-up dialog and then click "OK" again.
- After adjusting the trust settings, click on the digital signature again. Adobe will re-validate the signature using the updated trust settings, and the status will change to "Signature is valid."
It is important to note that Adobe Reader will display an alert message when validating signatures with expired timestamps. Additionally, if the document was modified after it was signed, you will need to obtain the original, unmodified document to validate the signature.
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Aadhaar e-signature
Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is used to sign electronic documents digitally. DSCs come in different types or classes, including Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3. Class 2 and Class 3 DSCs are issued by a Certifying Authority (CA) after the submission of certain identification documents and completion of specific procedures. These details include the Permanent Account Number (PAN) of the applicant.
Aadhaar eSign is a secure, government-prescribed method of digitally signing a document using an Aadhaar Card. It is a legal and valid way of signing documents in India, carrying the same legal acceptance as a handwritten signature. The process of validating an Aadhaar-based eSign involves the following steps:
- The signer clicks on the signing link and is redirected to the portal of an Electronic Service Provider (ESP), where e-authentication takes place.
- The signer enters their Aadhaar number, and the ESP requests the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to conduct an electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) check.
- The UIDAI sends a one-time password (OTP) to the mobile number linked with the signer's Aadhaar number. After entering this OTP, the UIDAI authenticates the response.
- Upon successful authentication, the ESP generates a secure key pair for the signer. The private key is stored securely in a Hardware Security Module maintained by the ESP.
- The ESP sends the public key and the eKYC information received from the UIDAI to the Certifying Authority (CA) as per the eSign API specifications.
- The CA issues the Electronic Signature Certificate to the signer and forwards it to the ESP.
- The ESP encrypts the input document hash using the private key to create a scrambled hash result.
- The ESP then passes the Electronic Signature Certificate and the scrambled hash result to the Application Service Provider (ASP), facilitating the attachment of the eSign to the document.
This process ensures the authentication of the signer's identity, the integrity of the document, and non-repudiation—providing evidence that the signer's Aadhaar number and phone number used for e-authentication were not compromised.
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Frequently asked questions
A DSC is used to digitally sign electronic documents.
No, only a DSC that is registered with Protean can be used.
You can procure a DSC from Certifying Authorities or Sub-Certifying Authorities from the list available at https://www.tin-nsdl.com/pan-verify/pan-verification-prerequisite.php.
You can use Adobe Reader to open the electronic signature document and select the "Signature Validation Status" link. Then, choose "Signature Properties" and select "Show Signature's Certificate". Finally, opt for the "Trust" option, select "Add to Trusted Certificates", and click "OK".
You can compare the hash value with the hash value in the DSC as shown in Internet Explorer. If both match, then the PAN is correct.
