GST Compliance – Troubleshooting DSC Issues

Troubleshooting Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) Issues

Edition: September 2025
Disclaimer: This manual is for compliance facilitation. It does not substitute statutory provisions, notifications, or circulars. Taxpayers must verify with the CGST/SGST Acts, Rules, and GSTN updates.

✍️ Preface

Digital Signature Certificates (DSCs) are essential for authentication of GST returns, applications, and forms. However, taxpayers often face technical errors with DSC registration, usage, or verification on the GST Portal.

This manual consolidates the common errors, their causes, resolutions, FAQs with statutory basis, and a compliance checklist for troubleshooting DSC-related issues.

📑 Table of Contents

1. Law Basis for DSC Usage

2. Common DSC Errors & Resolutions

3. System Requirements & Settings

4. FAQs (with Basis)

5. Compliance Checklist (Fillable Format)

⚖️ 1. Law Basis for DSC Usage

• Rule 26, CGST Rules, 2017 – Documents can be authenticated using DSC, e-Sign, or EVC.

• IT Act, 2000 – Recognizes digital signatures as legally valid.

• GSTN Guidelines – Prescribe installation and usage of DSC via emSigner utility.

❌ 2. Common DSC Errors & Resolutions

Error 1: “Sorry! DSC Missing. Please plug in the token.”

• Cause: DSC not installed or token not plugged in.

• Resolution: Install DSC or plug in token.

  • If still facing issue → Uninstall old emSigner, install latest version.

  • Check certificate in IE > Internet Options > Content > Certificates.

  • Key usage must show “Digital Signature, Non-Repudiation”.

Error 2: “Failed to establish connection to the server. Kindly restart emSigner.”

• Cause: emSigner not running.

• Resolution: Stop and restart emSigner → Run as Administrator.

Error 3: “This application requires Java Runtime Environment 1.6.0”

• Cause: Missing Java runtime.

• Resolution: Install JRE 1.6 or higher.

Error 4: “PAN No verification failed”

• Cause: PAN mismatch in DSC.

• Resolution: Ensure DSC PAN matches GST registration PAN.

Error 5: “Certificate not PAN-based”

• Cause: DSC not PAN-based.

• Resolution: Obtain PAN-based Class II/III DSC.

Error 6: “DSC not registered at the portal”

• Cause: DSC not registered on GST Portal.

• Resolution: Go to Dashboard > Register/Update DSC and register.

Error 7: Websocket issues in browser

• Cause: Browser not recognizing emSigner certificate.

• Resolution:

  • Add https://127.0.0.1:portNo (e.g., 1585) in browser.

  • Add security exception in Firefox.

  • Ensure emSigner v2.6 installed (not v1.2).

Error 8: Websocket not visible after clicking PROCEED

• Resolution: Start/restart emSigner server.

Error 9: Websocket installation on Mac

• Steps: Download installer → unzip → run ./startserver.sh.

• Message “emSigner started successfully” confirms activation.

Error 10: Unable to verify signature in Registration Certificate (RC)

• Resolution:

  • Open RC in PDF app → Show Signature Properties → Show Signer’s Certificate.

  • Add to Trusted Identities → Select all checkboxes → Validate Signature.

  • Note: RCs generated before 21.06.2021 may still show Validity Unknown as older trust certificate expired.

🖥️ 3. System Requirements & Settings

• Windows OS (32/64 bit).

• JRE 1.6 or above.

• emSigner v2.6.

• Administrator rights required.

• Free ports: 1585, 2095, 2568, 2868, 4587.

❓ 4. FAQs (with Basis)

Q1. Why is my DSC not being detected?
Check installation and token connection. Key usage must show Digital Signature, Non-Repudiation. (Manual)

Q2. What if emSigner fails to start?
Restart as Administrator; check port availability. (Manual)

Q3. Can non-PAN DSCs be used?
No, only PAN-based Class II/III DSC accepted. (Manual)

Q4. How to fix PAN mismatch errors?
Verify DSC PAN details with vendor. (Manual)

Q5. Why does RC signature show “?”
Add signer’s certificate to trusted identities in PDF. (Manual)

✅ 5. Compliance Checklist (Fillable Format)