ESIGN SERVICE IN INDIA | AADHAAR ESIGN ONLINE
Physical documents can be lost, forged, or tampered with, creating risk and stress for businesses and individuals. HR forms, contracts, NDAs, vendor agreements, managing all these physical signatures is exhausting and error-prone.
Aadhaar eSign allows teams to sign documents digitally from anywhere, keeping business moving fast while staying fully compliant with Indian law.
What is eSign?
eSign (Electronic Signature Service) is a government-approved online signing method that allows users to sign documents digitally using their Aadhaar number and OTP authentication.
It's designed under the Information Technology Act, 2000, and regulated by the Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA), ensuring that every eSign holds the same legal validity as a handwritten signature.
Legal Validity of eSign in India
Under the IT Act, 2000, an electronic signature that is:
1. issued by a licensed Certifying Authority (CA) like
Capricorn CA, and
2. created using approved eSign methods is legally binding in India.
That means an Aadhaar eSign holds the same legal weight as a handwritten signature — accepted in courts, banks, and by government departments.
How eSign Works (Step-by-Step Process)
The eSign process in India is fast, secure, and fully digital. Here's how it works:
Step 1: Aadhaar Verification
1. The signer authenticates their identity using their Aadhaar number.
2. Authentication can be done via:
* OTP (One-Time Password) sent to the registered mobile number, or
* Biometric verification (fingerprint or iris scan).
* Face ID Verification
* IRIS
3. This ensures that the signature is tied to a verified individual.
Step 2: Sending the Document to eSign Service Provider (ESP)
1. The document that needs signing is uploaded or sent to a licensed eSign Service Provider (ESP) like
eSign.Digital2. eSign.Digital is a government-approved providers that generate and manage digital signatures securely.
Step 3: Generation of One-Time Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)
1. For each signing session, a one-time DSC is generated by the ESP.
2. This certificate contains information about the signer and a unique digital key used to sign the document.
3. The DSC ensures tamper-proof and verifiable signatures.
Step 4: Affixing Signature and Delivering Signed Document
1. The digital signature is applied to the document.
2. The document becomes legally valid, secure, and tamper-evident.
3. The signed document is then delivered back to the user, ready for use.
Step 5 (Optional): Audit Trail
1. Every eSign transaction maintains an audit trail including timestamp, signer identity, and document hash.
2. This ensures full transparency and legal compliance.
eSign Service Providers (ESP) vs. Application Service Providers (ASP)
In India, digital signing involves two types of entities: eSign Service Providers (ESP) and Application Service Providers (ASP). Understanding the difference helps businesses and individuals choose the right solution.
eSign Service Provider (ESP) - eSign.DigitaleSign.Digital is an example of an ESP. These are government-licensed organizations authorized to generate digital signatures and manage Aadhaar-based eSign transactions. ESPs handle the technical, legal, and security aspects of creating one-time digital signature certificates (
DSC).
They ensure that every eSign is secure, verifiable, and compliant with Indian law. Businesses or platforms can integrate directly with ESPs via APIs or use their portal to get documents signed, relying on the ESP for backend signature generation.
Application Service Provider (ASP) - eSign.NetworkeSign.Network represents an ASP. ASPs act as intermediaries between end-users and ESPs. They provide user-friendly applications or platforms where documents can be uploaded, signed, and tracked without requiring technical knowledge about digital signatures.
Pain Points Solved by eSign
Traditional document signing comes with a host of challenges — from delays to security risks. eSign addresses these pain points and transforms the way individuals and businesses handle documents.
1. Time-Consuming Paperwork
Problem: Printing, signing, scanning, and emailing documents takes hours or even days.
Solution: eSign lets you digitally sign documents in minutes, eliminating tedious manual processes.
2. Delays in Approvals
Problem: Waiting for physical signatures slows down contracts, HR processes, and approvals.
Solution: eSign enables instant signature authentication, keeping workflows fast and efficient.
3. Security & Forgery Risks
Problem: Physical documents can be lost, forged, or tampered with, creating legal and operational risks.
Solution: eSign generates secure, tamper-evident signatures, backed by Aadhaar authentication and government-approved technology.
4. Administrative Hassles for Businesses
Problem: Managing multiple signed documents manually increases errors and administrative overhead.
Solution: eSign automates and centralizes signing, reducing mistakes and freeing up resources.
5. Challenges for Remote Work
Problem: In today's remote and hybrid work environments, traditional signatures slow down business operations.
Solution: eSign allows employees, clients, and vendors to sign documents from anywhere, ensuring business continuity without delays.
6. Environmental Impact
Problem: Printing documents consumes paper, ink, and storage space, contributing to environmental waste.
Solution: eSign is 100% paperless, helping organizations reduce their carbon footprint while staying legally compliant.
While the ASP manages the workflow, user interface, and integration, the actual signature creation is handled by the ESP. ASPs are ideal for companies looking to digitally sign contracts, HR documents, NDAs, or other forms efficiently, without handling the complexities of digital signature technology themselves.
Sum up
The
eSign Service in India is transforming the way businesses and individuals handle documents. By eliminating manual paperwork, reducing delays, and providing secure, legally valid digital signatures, eSign ensures that workflows are faster, safer, and more efficient.
