Electronic Signature

An e-signature, or electronic signature, is a digital indication that a person intends to accept the contents of a document. It serves the same purpose as a handwritten signature, just without the pen and paper.

India’s push toward digital adoption has given e-signatures practical momentum. As the government has worked to simplify doing business, reduce paperwork, and make record-keeping more secure and cost-effective, electronic signatures have become a standard tool for both individuals and corporations.

Why they matter

E-signatures carry a few advantages over their handwritten counterparts. They can be time-stamped automatically, are difficult to forge, and travel instantly. There’s also a non-repudiation benefit: once a message is signed and delivered, the sender can’t easily claim later that they never agreed to it.

Where they can’t be used

That said, e-signatures aren’t valid everywhere. Indian law excludes them from certain documents, including negotiable instruments like promissory notes and bills of exchange (cheques being an exception), powers of attorney, trust deeds, wills and other testamentary documents, and real estate contracts such as leases or sale agreements.

For everything else, they’re a legitimate and increasingly preferred alternative to signing on paper.