Question 5 OR (b)

Digital signature and electronic signature compared

5 marks

Time to write: About 10 minutes

From an older CBCS paper

Question

Question 5 OR (b) · 5 marks

Explain Digital signature, and how they are different from Electronic signatures.

Reworded from the university paper; the task is the same. The original paper belongs to the University of Delhi. See DU's question bank.

Before you write

Read off the question and its marks

10 minfor 5 marks

Read from the question

ExplainEach point stated, then explained in a line or two.

What the paper leaves open

This older-course question examines the Information Technology Act, 2000, which the current UGCF Business Laws syllabus does not name; it is answered as printed.

Write it in this order

Read; underline the asks; jot your points 1 min
1 Digital signature (sections 2(1)(p) and 3) 2 marks 3 min
2 Electronic signature (sections 2(1)(ta) and 3A) 1½ marks 2 min
3 Points of difference 1½ marks 2 min
Check: every ask answered, key terms underlined 2 min

123

Short on time? Trim steps 1–3 evenly rather than skip one: each is capped at its own marks.

Try it first. About 10 minutes for 5 marks. Write it out, then open the solution.

Solution

Hover or tap a marked figure, like 72,000, to see how it is made and where else it appears.

Digital signature. Under section 2(1)(p) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, a “digital signature means authentication of any electronic record by a subscriber by means of an electronic method or procedure in accordance with” section 3; section 3 requires the use of an asymmetric crypto system and a hash function, with a private key and public key that are unique to the subscriber and constitute a functioning key pair.

Electronic signature. Section 2(1)(ta) defines an electronic signature as the authentication of an electronic record by a subscriber using an electronic technique listed in the Second Schedule; a digital signature is one kind. Section 3A allows a subscriber to authenticate an electronic record by any electronic signature or electronic authentication technique that is considered reliable and is specified in the Second Schedule.

How they differ:

Scope. "Electronic signature" is the wider term and includes the digital signature; a digital signature is one particular kind of electronic signature.
Technology. A digital signature must use the asymmetric crypto system and hash function of section 3; an electronic signature may use any reliable technique specified in the Second Schedule (section 3A).
Certificate. The Electronic Signature Certificate issued under section 35 includes the Digital Signature Certificate.

Where the 5 marks sit

#	Component	Marks
1	Digital signature (sections 2(1)(p) and 3)	2
2	Electronic signature (sections 2(1)(ta) and 3A)	1.5
3	Points of difference	1.5
	Total	5

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