About Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)

A Digital Signature Certificates are the digital equivalent (that is electronic format) of physical or paper certificates. Certificates serve as proof of identity of an individual for a certain purpose. A digital certificate can be presented electronically to prove one’s identity, to access information or services on the Internet or to sign certain documents digitally.

The Information Technology Act, 2000 has provisions for use of Digital Signatures for the documents submitted in electronic form in order to ensure the security and authenticity of the documents filed electronically. This is secure and authentic way to submit a document electronically.

Digital Signatures use the public key encryptions to create the signatures. A digital signature certificate contain the information about the user’s name, address, and email address, mobile number, date of issuance of certificate and name of the certifying authority.

The size of the e-form increases significantly after attaching the DSC.
What should be done to optimize the PDF file size?

Follow the below instructions to limit the size of PDF file while affixing the Digital Signature Certificate (DSC):

Open any PDF file or right click any PDF file.
Select Edit > Preferences. The Preferences window is displayed.
Select Category: Signature from preferences window. The Digital Signatures section is displayed.
Click “More” button under the Creation & Appearance section.
Uncheck “Include signature's revocation status” option.

Note – The above change in preference settings is specific to each client desktop.