Frequently Asked Questions

Need a little more clarity on our products? Read through the FAQs below and clear all your doubts.

What services does SignDesk offer?

SignDesk offers to transform disconnected individual processes into seamless procedures through its business workflow automation solution. The website offers a complete, comprehensive application which houses 3 solutions i.e. Digital Stamping, eSign workflow, and eMandate. These three solutions are made available in three plans – stamp.it, ink.it, and link.it. Head over to the “ Product Overview” page to know more about each product’s features.

What is document workflow?

A document workflow solution is a system that is used to produce, track, edit, manage and store documents that are associated with a business process. All businesses involve huge amounts of documentation and paperwork which can be eliminated by going paperless with a documentation workflow solution.

What is Digitised Stamping?

Digitised Stamping or Digital Stamping is a unique offering provided as part of stamp.it, through which you can avail Digitised Stamp Papers. SignDesk captures all the details required to generate a Digitised Stamp Paper (also known as Stamp Paper generation parameters) beforehand and attaches the Stamp Paper to the document. After that, it proceeds to invite the parties to electronically sign the thus generated document.

How is Digitised Stamping different from eStamp?

eStamp is an offering of the Stock Holding Corporation of India Ltd. (SHCIL) and is restricted to only the states wherein SHCIL operates. Digitised Stamping encompasses eStamp as well, in the states wherein the SHCIL operates.

What is stamp.it?

stamp.it is one of the three plans offered by SignDesk which enables solutions for online payment of Stamp Duty and make eSignatures. Digitally stamp documents, eSign documents, and invite parties to eSign documents from anywhere, at any time.

What is eSign?

eSign is the abbreviation of electronic signature. eSign facilitates a person to electronically sign a document using their email ID and phone number. SignDesk is an eSign Application Service Provider (ASP) that facilitates people to sign documents electronically by triggering an OTP which is sent to the signer’s email ID and phone number. SignDesk also provides a Dongle-based Digital Signature solution that makes use of Digital Signature Certificates (DSC).

What is a USB Token based Signature?

The USB Token based Signature requires a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) which is embedded in it. It can be accessed through a computer to sign documents electronically and in bulk. The Dongle based signature solution makes use of PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) to create signatures.

What is ink.it?

ink.it is one of the three plans offered by SignDesk which enables you to make electronic signatures and invite parties to electronically sign documents from anywhere, at any time. It also includes the USB token-based signature solution which allows you to bulk sign documents.

Is eSign legally valid?

Yes, eSign is legally valid and is recognised by the Government of India for most documents. As per the Information Technology Act, 2000, eSign is recognised and is as legally binding as a handwritten signature for most documents. The documents that cannot be signed using eSign are mentioned under the below question. The IT Act 2000 acknowledges the eSignature and Dongle based Digital Signature Certificate (DSC). SignDesk provides both services.

Where can eSign NOT be used?

An eSign can be used as a safer alternative to a physical signature in almost every transaction with exception to the following

A negotiable instrument as defined in section 13 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881
A power-of-attorney as defined in section 1A of the Powers-of-Attorney Act, 1882
A trust as defined in section 3 of the Indian Trusts Act, 1882
A will as defined in clause (h) of section 2 of the Indian Succession Act, 1925, including any other testamentary disposition by whatever name called
Any contract for the sale or conveyance of immovable property or any interest in such property
Any such class of documents or transactions as may be notified by the Central Government in the Official Gazette

Who can use eSign?

Any person with an email ID and a phone number can use eSign. The person has to be 18 years old to make a valid signature unless acceptable otherwise in a special scenario.

How can a company/organisation make signatures using eSign?

When it comes to a company or an organisation, a person who is authorised by the company/organisation can electronically sign a document using eSign. In order to become an authorised person, the company needs to pass a board resolution permitting the person to sign documents on its behalf. It is required that the board resolution must be documented and the person must consent to sign the document on behalf of the company.

What does an eSignature look like?

Can I eSign from a smartphone?

Yes, you can eSign using a smartphone. You can eSign from any device as long as you can access the invitation to sign the document.

How can eSign benefit companies/organisations?

eSign benefits companies/organisations in the following ways

Saves time and operating costs
Avoids forgery and fraudulent practices
Secures the transaction against any imaginable conflict/danger
Helps to save paper which in turn saves the environment
Provides massive convenience as documents can be accessed remotely

How to validate an Aadhaar eSign?

To validate an eSign, you’ll need to follow the steps mentioned below

Download your document and open it with Adobe Reader
Open the Signature Panel or the eSign Appearance on the document
Click Signature Properties when the Signature Validation Status opens
Click Show Signer’s Certificate. It will open the Certificate Viewer window
Open the Trust tab and click Add To Trusted Certificates
Click Ok on the pop-up. It will take you to the Import Contact Settings window
Tick the Certified Documents box. Also, tick the next 3 options and click OK
You are now redirected to the Certificate Viewer window. Click OK at the bottom
Click Validate Signature in the Signature Properties window. Then click close
Your eSignature is now ready. It will have a green tick mark which makes it legally valid

How does the electronic signature using email ID and phone number work?

The Initiator uploads the document on SignDesk and adds the signer/signers by entering their email ID and phone number. An invitation to sign the document goes out to the signer’s email ID. The signer then reviews the document and gives their consent to sign the document. The system then generates an OTP which is sent to the signer’s email ID and phone number. After entering the OTP, the electronic signature appearance is created on the document. A Certificate of Signature Completion and an audit trail also gets attached to the signed document.

How long is an eSign valid for?

Forever. Just like the handwritten signature, your eSignature is valid eternally.

What should I do if I don’t receive an OTP?

If you don’t receive an OTP, you need to

Ensure that you entered the correct email ID and phone number
Click on Resend OTP if you haven’t received an OTP in the first attempt
Ensure proper internet connectivity

How to upload a document?

To upload a document to be eSigned, please follow the steps below:

Click on Sign Up and create a SignDesk account. If you already have an account, you’ll need to Log In
Click the Upload Document button on the top right of the dashboard or on the SignDesk homepage.
Provide a name to the document that you are uploading and click Upload.
Browse and select a file from and that’s it. Your file will be uploaded and you will see a preview of it in the Signature Panel.

What is e-NACH?

e-NACH stands for Electronic National Automated Clearing House. It is a centralised system that is implemented by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). eNACH is a web-based solution for Financial Institutions, Banks, Corporates, and Government bodies to facilitate interbank, high volume, electronic transactions that are repetitive and periodic in nature.

What is eMandate?

eMandate stands for the electronic mandate. It is also commonly referred to as e-NACH. eMandate facilitates automated debit transactions for a fixed amount from one bank account to another repetitively on a particular date over a particular period of time. Every eMandate has a Unique Mandate Reference Number (UMRN).

What is link.it?

link.it one of the plans offered by SignDesk which delivers an eMandate solution to manage recurring payments by automating payment systems. You can set up recurring auto-debit transactions instantly to enable smooth payments.

How does eNACH/eMandate work?

eMandate is a new solution developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to replace the existing physical mandate process. The difference between the eMandate and a physical mandate is that the eMandate is an electronic form and requires the customer to authorise the mandate through their Netbanking login. The customer is presented with the summary of the Mandate details and with an option to either accept or reject the mandate. If the customer chooses to accept the mandate, the mandate is created instantly.

What is the eSign based eMandate?

The eSign based eMandate services have been suspended following the Circular No: NPCI/2018-19/NACH/CIRCULAR NO.35 issued by the NPCI. The eSign based eMandate required the customer to authenticate the electronic mandate form using the Aadhaar based eSign. The mandate took 2 working days to be activated.

How long does the eMandate process take?

The eMandate gets activated immediately after the customer approves it.

Can I edit an eMandate?

Though you can’t edit an eMandate, you have the option to amend an existing eMandate. The UMRN of the amended eMandate will remain the same. This process also takes place instantly.

How does eMandate benefit companies/organisations?

eMandate benefits companies/organisations in the following ways

Enables smooth transactions
Ensures bank-grade security
Quickens turnaround time for processes
Automates recurring payments like employee benefits payment
Systematic banking procedures

What is the relation between SignDesk and the NPCI?

SignDesk is an authorised Application Service Provider (ASP) for electronic signatures. There are no entities appointed by NPCI as registered Service Providers for the eMandate facility to the Corporates. However, SignDesk’s technical submissions of eMandate have been approved by the NPCI as valid.

What is a Certificate Authority (CA)?

A Certificate Authority (CA) issues the Digital Signature Certificate. It is a trusted entity which ensures the security of your information on the internet. Section 84 of IT Act 2000, describes Certificate Authority as a license-holder to issue Digital Signature Certificates (DSC).

What is LegalDesk.com?

Just like SignDesk, even LegalDesk.com is operated by Desk Nine Pvt. Ltd. LegalDesk.com provides a Do-it-Yourself platform for making legal documents online.