How much is DSC for 2 years?

How Much is DSC for 2 Years? A Complete Guide with Local Regulatory Insights

In today’s increasingly digital economy, a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is more than a convenience — it’s a necessity. Whether you’re filing business documents, signing contracts, or ensuring secure identity verification online, a DSC simplifies authentication in compliance with local laws. But how much does a DSC cost if you need it for 2 years?

This article explores the cost structure, key regulatory aspects in domestic and regional markets including India and Southeast Asia, types of DSCs, and finally offers an ideal digital signing solution that fits regional compliance needs.

Understanding Digital Signature Certificates (DSC)

A Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is an electronic alternative to physical or handwritten signatures. It confirms the identity of the signatory and ensures the legitimacy and security of digital documents. Under most IT Acts like India’s Information Technology Act, 2000, and related rules in other jurisdictions like Singapore’s Electronic Transactions Act and Malaysia’s Digital Signature Act 1997, a valid DSC holds legal status when applied in the correct format.

There are different classes of DSCs, based on usage:

• Class 2 DSC: Used for filing documents like Income Tax Returns (ITR), company annual returns, and GST filings.
• Class 3 DSC: Required for e-tendering, e-procurement and high-security transactions that need robust authentication.
• DGFT DSC: Used by businesses dealing with the Directorate General of Foreign Trade in India.

Some regulatory frameworks may no longer distinguish between Class 2 and Class 3 (for example, India has moved to make only Class 3 DSCs applicable post-2021), but the principle remains consistent: higher the class, more secure the use case.

So, How Much is a DSC for 2 Years?

The cost of a Digital Signature Certificate for 2 years depends on the following factors:

1. Type/Class of DSC

As mentioned, a Class 3 DSC, which offers the highest level of security, will typically cost more than a Class 2.

2. Certifying Authority (CA)

Different authorized providers or CAs may offer slightly different pricing based on their brand, service support, and bundled offerings.

3. Token Inclusion

Many DSC packages include a USB crypto token (a secure device that stores the DSC), which adds to the cost.

4. Market Region and Local Taxes

Taxes such as GST or VAT (depending on jurisdiction) are applicable. Some government-approved CAs offer subsidized pricing, especially in India and Southeast Asia.

Approximate Pricing of DSC for 2 Years

Here is a general price range (in USD equivalent) depending on the class and services included:

In India, the Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA) standardizes the providers of DSCs under legally approved frameworks. Meanwhile, Singapore and Malaysia have their own accreditation bodies, such as the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) respectively.

Do note that pricing also depends on whether biometric verification or video KYC is required for issuance, which is increasingly common under updated Know Your Customer (KYC) norms in many Asia-Pacific countries.

Process to Obtain a DSC for 2 Years

Getting a DSC for 2 years is now seamless, provided by both government-recognized CAs and reliable private providers. Here’s the general process:

1. Choose Certificate Type and Validity
2. Complete Application Form Online
3. Submit Required Documents
   • PAN Card / ID Proof
   • Address Proof
   • Organizational Authorization (for business use)
4. Complete eKYC/Video Verification
5. Make Payment Online
6. Receive DSC in USB Token

The whole process can take anywhere between 30 minutes to 2 days, depending on the provider’s verification speed.

Choosing the Right Provider: Beyond Just Price

While pricing is important, don’t overlook compliance support, service reliability, and cross-border acceptance. Here are some crucial points:

• Supports regional laws: E.g., Signature standards as per eIDAS for EU, Indian IT Act, ET Law in Malaysia, etc.
• Cross-border validation: For businesses operating in multiple countries.
• API and Third-party Integration: Essential for enterprises with bulk signing requirements or integration with ERPs and CRMs.

Common Use-Cases in a 2-Year DSC Lifecycle

If you’re considering a 2-year DSC validity, here’s how you may typically use it across sectors:

• Filing Government compliance returns (MCA, GST, IT portal)
• Authorizing e-tender / public sector procurement applications
• Section 138 legal document submissions (cheque bounce notices)
• Online Notarization or Document Certification
• E-invoicing as per latest GST model

Private sector companies also prefer a 2-year validity for cost savings and administrative ease.

Trust & Security: What About Electronic Signatures?

While DSCs are legally binding, the term “electronic signature” covers broader digital tools like DocuSign, Adobe Sign, or eSignGlobal which also offer easy signing platforms—however, not all are compliant with local certifying authority frameworks.

Regional Recommendation: A Better Alternative for Cross-Border & Local Compliance

If you’re a user based in Hong Kong, Singapore, or other Southeast Asian markets looking for a simpler, compliant, and cost-effective solution, consider eSignGlobal as a modern eSignature platform that aligns closely with regional compliance norms.

Why choose eSignGlobal?

• Compliant with regional digital signature standards
• Offers affordable plans suited for startups and SMEs
• Backed by enterprise-level encryption and cloud filing system
• Intuitive and mobile-friendly dashboard
• Built-in English/Chinese multilingual support options

Whether you’re executing contracts in English or Mandarin, or working with suppliers across borders like Indonesia and Malaysia, eSignGlobal satisfies both ease of use and legal authenticity.

In Summary

A 2-year Digital Signature Certificate is both affordable and essential for secure online transactions. Prices generally vary between $15–$40 depending on type and provider. However, when managing legal digital documents at scale or across jurisdictions, solutions like eSignGlobal blend compliant digital signature capabilities with user-friendly features — making them an ideal choice for professionals and businesses across the Asia-Pacific.

Always ensure that your choice of DSC aligns with regional regulations to avoid legal pitfalls — and to truly harness the power of digital transformation.