NICCA : Apply For Digital Signature Certificate

Name of the Organization : NIC Certifying Authority (nicca.nic.in)
Type of Facility : How to apply for Digital Signature Certificate from NIC?
Location : India

Website : nicca.nic.in/

Instructions for DSC Applicants :
1. NIC-CA abides by the Information Technology Act, 2000, laid down by the Govt. of India. The applicant is advised to read this IT Act 2000 under Resources (nicca.nic.in).
2. To use DSC for exchanging Digitally signed Email, S/MIME compatible Mail clients should be used
3. Subscriber is required to send one copy of DSC request form, duly signed and forwarded by Head of Office. Applicant is advised to retain a copy of the same, for filling up the form online while generating keypair.
4. The forwarded DSC application form is processed at NIC-CA for issue of DSC. If all particulars are in order, a User-Id, password and the profile for the applicant is created using the details submitted. This certificate within 90 days) failing which, user is required to submit fresh DSC application for DSC issuance.
5. It is very important to keep the private key securely.
6. If the private key is compromised, applicant should immediately inform NIC-CA office by phone 011-24366176 or e-mail at support AT camail.nic.in and Login with his user-Id and password at NIC-CA website.
7. For viewing all valid DSCs and CRLs, the user can access the website (nicca.nic.in/) under Repository.
8. DSCs are normally issued on FIPS-140 Level-2 compliant smart card/USB crypto-tokens, which allows only maximum ten numbers of incorrect attempts for entering pass phrase/ pin. It is advisable to be careful while entering the passphrase as repeated incorrect entries may block the same. On exceeding this limit, special efforts may be required to unblock the device.
9.It is important to note that email-id given by the applicant is functional and applicant accesses the same on regular basis as all communications w.r.t DSC like generation, revocation, renewal, expiry details are communicated through the given email-id. In addition to the ‘suggested usage’ mentioned in class-1 & class-2, class-3 signing certificate may also be used for digital signing for discharging his/her duties as per official designation. Class-3 encryption certificate may also be used for encryption requirement as per his/her official capacity. The User has to send Request for Revocation/Suspension/Activation form (CA2-50027.pdf)

View DSC Fee Structure : nicca.nic.in/html/fee.html

Types of Classes :
Depending upon requirement of assurance level and usage of DSC as described Below, the applicant may select one of the classes

Class-1 Certificate :
Assurance Level :
Provides minimum level of assurance. Subscriber’s identity is proved only with help of Distinguished Name –DN and hence provides limited assurance of the identity.

Suggested Usage :
Signing certificate primarily be used for signing personal emails and encryption certificate is to be used for encrypting digital emails and SSL certificate is used to establish secure communications through the use of secure socket layer (SSL). Category Issued to the Individual from Govt., PSU/Statutory Bodies, Government Registered Companies and Web Servers/Servers within NIC domain

Class-2 Certificate :
Assurance Level :
Provides higher level of assurance confirming the details submitted in the DSC Request Form, including photograph and documentary proof in respect of at least one of the identification details.

Suggested Usage :
In addition to the ‘suggested usage’ mentioned in class I, the class II Signing certificate may also be used for digital signing, code signing, authentication for VPN Client, web form signing, user authentication, Smart Card Logon, single sign-on and signing involved in e-procurement/ egovernance applications. Category Issued to the Individual from Govt., PSU/Statutory Bodies, Government Registered Companies and Web Servers/Servers in open domain.

Class-3 Certificate :
Assurance Level :
Provides highest level of assurances, as verification process is very stringent. Proves existence of name of organizations such as Government Departments/Agencies, PSU/ Govt. Registered Companies and assures applicant’s identity authorized to act on behalf of the Government/PSU/Statutory/Autonomous bodies/ Government registered Companies.

Suggested Usage :
Category Issued to individuals from Government entities/Head of the Institutions, Statutory/Autonomous bodies, Government registered Companies (Outlook Express, etc.). Also, please ensure that your email-id is issued from a POP compatible Mail server. For security reasons, NICCA prefers usage of Official E-mail ID. user-id will only be valid for 90 days (i.e., applicant has to generate key pair request and download

Guidelines for verification by Head of Office:
The Head of Office (HO) of DSC requestor has to verify the identity /credentials of applicants. They will be solely responsible for authentication and validation of each subscriber/applicant within the organisation.
They have to ensure verification process as described below, depending upon the class of certificate as applied by the applicant

Types of Classes :
Depending upon requirement of assurance level and usage of DSC as described below, the applicant may select one of the classes.

Verification Process :
Class-1 Certificate : and verify the same.
Class-2 Certificate : For SSL server certificate the HO has to ensure attestation of URL for Web Servers by Domain Name Registering Agency, location of web server.
Class-3 Certificate : In addition to the verification process required for the class II certificates, the to the NIC-CA for issuance of DSC.

On receipt of DSC application form, SIO/ DIO/HOD/NIC-Co-ordinator is required to ensure that the application form is signed by the HO(Head of Office)/JS/Company Secretary/Superior Officer of the applicant along with the seal of the office.

Download Form Here : https://www.indianjobtalks.in/uploads/12059-DSC-Request-Form.pdf

For any further clarification, user can write to support@camail.nic.in