Papers everywhere, lost files, wasted time, and money. A tough situation for every working professional. eSign fixes it all for today's businesses. eSign and digital signatures are popular ways to sign online safely and legally. They do similar jobs, but work differently. The tech, use cases, and rules vary.
Companies are choosing to go digital. The process of going digital needs to be legally valid and reliable. eSign in India makes online signing quick and easy. Many people mix it up with digital signatures. They think both are the same, but reality is different.
But in India, both are legal. They differ in big ways. eSign checks who you are with Aadhaar or OTP. It is great for quick, everyday use. Digital signatures use special certificates from government-approved portals. Usually used for confidential deals, for contracts, etc.
What is eSign?
eSign is also known as an electronic signature. It allows users to sign documents digitally without physical paperwork. eSign in India is commonly based on Aadhaar authentication, where the signer verifies their identity using an OTP or biometric verification.
The main advantage of eSign is its simplicity. Users can sign documents anytime and from anywhere without installing software or using hardware devices. This makes eSign ideal for businesses that handle quick document approvals.
Key Features of eSign
-Aadhaar-based identity verification
-No physical hardware required
-Quick and paperless process
-Legally valid under the IT Act, 2000
eSign is widely used for agreements, consent forms, HR documentation, banking forms, and digital onboarding workflows.
What Is a Digital Signature?
A digital signature is a more advanced form of electronic signing that uses encryption and cryptographic keys. It is issued in the form of a Digital Signature Certificate by a licensed Certifying Authority.
Unlike eSign in India, a digital signature usually requires a USB token that securely stores the signer's private key. This method is commonly used where higher security is required.
Key Features of Digital Signature
-Requires a Digital Signature Certificate
-Uses hardware tokens for signing
-Valid for one to three years
-Mandatory for certain legal filings
Digital signatures are often used by company directors, chartered accountants, and businesses interacting with government portals.
Difference between eSign and DSC
The following comparison highlights the difference between eSign and DSC in practical usage.
eSign vs Digital Signature Comparison
Meaning: eSign in India uses Aadhaar-based electronic signing, while Digital Signature relies on certificate-based cryptographic signing.
Authentication: eSign in India uses OTP or biometric verification, whereas Digital Signature requires a USB token and PIN.
Hardware Required: eSign in India does not require any hardware; Digital Signature requires a physical USB token.
Setup Time: eSign in India is instant, while a Digital Signature requires a formal setup process.
Validity: eSign in India is valid for one-time use; Digital Signature is valid for one to three years.
Cost Structure: eSign in India follows a pay-per-use model, whereas Digital Signature involves a higher upfront cost.
Ease of Use: eSign in India is very easy to use; Digital Signature has a moderate learning curve.
Ideal Users: eSign in India is suitable for customers and employees; Digital Signature is ideal for directors and professionals.
Common Use Cases: eSign in India is commonly used for agreements, KYC, and HR documents, while Digital Signature is mainly used for MCA, GST, and Income Tax filings.
Legal Validity of eSign and Digital Signature in India
Both eSign and digital signature are legally valid in India under the Information Technology Act, 2000.
However, usage depends on the type of document:
-eSign in India is widely accepted for commercial and operational documents
-Digital signatures are mandatory for specific government and regulatory filings
-As a result, many organizations use eSign for daily operations and digital signatures for administrative-related needs.
When to use eSign?
eSign in India is a suitable option when:
-You want a fast and paperless signing experience
-Customers or employees need to sign remotely
-You manage high volumes of documents
-Speed and convenience are key priorities
Platforms such as eSign.Digital enables businesses to integrate electronic signature workflows with ease.
When to use a Digital Signature?
-A digital signature is more appropriate when:
-Government portals mandate a Digital Signature Certificate
-You are filing GST, income tax, or MCA forms
-Long-term certificate validity is required
-Higher cryptography is necessary
eSign vs Digital Signature: Which one should you choose?
The difference between eSign and DSC depends on your specific business requirements.
-For customer-facing documentation and operational efficiency, eSign in India offers speed and ease of use
-For statutory filings and administration, digital signatures remain essential
Many businesses adopt a hybrid approach by using eSign for routine documentation and digital signatures for security-driven processes.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between eSign and DSC helps businesses understand the documentation. It helps in remaining acceptable with legal requirements. Both methods are secure and legally valid, but eSign in India stands out for its simplicity, scalability, and user-friendly experience.
For organizations looking to reduce paperwork, speed up approvals, and improve digital adoption, eSign is a practical and future-ready solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1 - What are the three types of digital signatures?Answer - The 3 types of DSC are Simple Electronic Signature (SES), Advanced Electronic Signature (AES), and Qualified Electronic Signature (QES).
Q2 - What is an eSign signature?Answer - An eSign signature is a simple way to sign documents online instead of signing on paper.
Q3 - What is the full form of eSign?Answer - The full form of eSign is Electronic Signature.
Q4 - How to eSign a document with digital signature?Answer - To eSign a document with a digital signature, upload the document to eSign.digital, verify your identity, apply the dsc, and download the signed file.
Q5 - Can I eSign on my phone?Answer - Yes, you can eSign on your phone using an eSign app or website.
Q6 - where i have to contact if I want to buy esign? Answer - To buy eSign, you can visit our website - esign.digital or contact us on 011-614-00-000
Q7 - Where can i contact if I want to get more information on esign?Answer - For more information, you can visit our website - esign.digital or contact us on - 011-614-00-000
Q8 - Where can I get eSign services?Answer - To get eSign service, click on this website -
esign.network Q9 - Who provides eSign in India?Answer - eSign service is provided by esign.network