To incorporate a company in India through the MCA's SPICe+ form, every proposed director and subscriber to the memorandum must digitally sign the forms using a Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate.
This guide explains how many DSCs you need, how to register them on the MCA portal, and how to avoid common signing errors during incorporation.
What is DSC for company registration on MCA (SPICe+)?
The SPICe+ (Simplified Proforma for Incorporating a Company Electronically Plus) form and its linked forms (e-MoA, e-AoA, AGILE-PRO) must be signed with a DSC. The DSC binds each signatory's identity to the incorporation documents.
Each director and each subscriber needs their own Class 3 DSC, and the certifying professional (CA/CS/CMA) also signs with their DSC.
Match PAN exactly
How many DSCs you need
- One Class 3 DSC for each proposed director
- One Class 3 DSC for each subscriber to the memorandum (often the same as the directors)
- The DSC of the certifying professional
Step-by-step process
- Get Class 3 DSCs. Obtain a Class 3 DSC for every director and subscriber.
- Create MCA account. Register/log in on the MCA V3 portal.
- Associate the DSC. Register each DSC on the MCA portal under 'Associate DSC', matching the PAN with the certificate.
- Sign SPICe+ forms. Affix the DSC on SPICe+ Part B, e-MoA, e-AoA and AGILE-PRO as required.
- Submit for approval. Upload the signed forms and pay the fees for MCA processing.
Frequently asked questions
Do foreign directors need a DSC?
Yes. Foreign nationals proposing to be directors also need a Class 3 DSC, obtained with an apostilled/notarised passport and address proof.
Can I reuse my DSC after incorporation?
Yes. The same Class 3 DSC is used for subsequent MCA filings such as INC-20A, AOC-4 and MGT-7.