Legal Validity Under IT Act, 2000

• Digital Signature Certificates are legally recognized under the Information Technology Act, 2000.
  
• A contract signed using a valid DSC has the same legal effect as one signed by hand.
  
• Section 5 of the Act states that digital signatures are legally enforceable.
  
• Such contracts are binding on the parties involved.
  
• Courts accept DSC-signed documents as valid legal evidence.
  

Authentication and Non-Repudiation

• DSC ensures that the signatory’s identity is authenticated.
  
• Once signed, the signer cannot deny their involvement in the contract.
  
• This principle of non-repudiation adds strong legal weight to the agreement.
  
• It reduces the chances of disputes over the signatory’s intent.
  
• The signature time and identity are recorded in the digital trail.
  

Tamper-Proof and Secure Signing

• A digitally signed contract is protected from unauthorized changes.
  
• Any alteration after signing renders the document invalid.
  
• This secures the contract’s integrity and authenticity.
  
• It prevents forgery or manipulation of terms post-signature.
  
• It helps establish a secure chain of custody for the document.
  

Admissibility in Legal Proceedings

• Courts and tribunals in India accept digitally signed contracts.
  
• The signatory must present a valid and unrevoked certificate.
  
• The certificate must be issued by a licensed Certifying Authority.
  
• The digital signature must be verifiable through standard methods.
  
• Proper logging and documentation support its legal enforceability.
  

Responsibilities and Liabilities of the Signer

• The signer is fully accountable for the obligations mentioned in the contract.
  
• Misuse or unauthorized access to DSC can result in legal penalties.
  
• Organizations must restrict DSC access to authorized personnel only.
  
• If misused, the signer may face civil or criminal liability.
  
• Proper management of DSCs ensures compliance and risk mitigation.