Information Technology Act, 2000 · Chapter VI: Regulation of Certifying Authorities
Section 21: Licence to issue electronic signature Certificates
21. Licence to issue [electronic signature] Certificates.—(1) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (2), any person may make an application, to the Controller, for a licence to issue [electronic signature] Certificates.
(2) No licence shall be issued under sub-section (1), unless the applicant fulfils such requirements with respect to qualification, expertise, manpower, financial resources and other infrastructure facilities, which are necessary to issue [electronic signature] Certificates as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(3) A licence granted under this section shall—
(a) be valid for such period as may be prescribed by the Central Government;
(b) not be transferable or heritable;
(c) be subject to such terms and conditions as may be specified by the regulations.
Source: India Code (indiacode.gov.in), the consolidated text published by the Legislative Department, Government of India. Text as updated on India Code on 14 October 2026. Words in square brackets [ ] were inserted or substituted by later amending Acts, and *** marks words omitted by an amendment. The amendment footnotes are not reproduced here. Official text on India Code.
Supreme Court judgments citing the section 21
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