What is an Aadhaar eSign?
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The Aadhaar-based eSign service allows users to sign legally binding documents electronically.
The user merely needs an Aadhaar-registered mobile number to upload documents to the Melento
portal and eSign using the OTP sent to his/her Aadhaar-linked number.
Is Aadhaar eSign legally valid?
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Yes, Aadhaar eSignatures are a legally valid method to sign documents according to the
provisions of the IT Act, 2000. This act recognizes both Aadhaar eSign & Digital Signatures as
valid ways to execute an agreement.
What legal provisions are related to Aadhaar eSign?
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Section 2(t)(a) of the Information Technology Act of 2000 affirms the use of eSign,
whereas Section III of the Act allows for electronic record authentication. The Government of
India has recognised the use of eSign in a notice published in The Gazette of India,
Extraordinary, Part II, Section III on January 28th, 2015.
Who can use Aadhaar eSign?
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In India, Aadhaar eSign is a legally compliant way of electronic signature that allows
anybody to sign as long as they have an Aadhaar number and a phone or email address
associated with the Aadhaar number.
Can multiple people sign the same document?
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Yes, multiple signers may be invited to sign using Aadhaar eSign. With Melento, users can
invite multiple signatories to eSign in a customizable order provided all the individuals
possess an Aadhaar number and Aadhaar-linked phone.
Where can an Aadhaar eSign be used?
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The Aadhaar eSign can be used in offer letters, contracts, permission slips, lease agreements,
liability waivers and financial statements among the major ones.
How to validate Aadhaar eSign?
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The Aadhaar eSign can be validated using the eSigned document's signature certificate. For a
detailed description of how to validate Aadhaar eSign, read this
article.
Is Melento authorised to provide Aadhaar eSign services?
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Yes, Melento is an authorized Application Service Provider (ASP) for Aadhaar eSignatures.
Melento (formerly SignDesk) is integrated with UIDAI & registered with CDAC (ESP) to provide secure &
legally
valid Aadhaar eSignatures. Melento is also registered with the Comptroller of Certifying
Authorities (CCA) as a Certifying Authority (CA) for the provision of Digital Signature
Certificates.
Which documents cannot be signed using Aadhaar eSign?
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The requirements of the Information Technology Act of 2000 ban the use of eSign for the
following documents:
(a) a negotiable instrument, apart from a cheque, as specified in section 13 of the Negotiable
Instruments Act of 1881
(b) a power of attorney as specified in section 1A of the 1882 Powers-of-Attorney Act.
(c) an Indian trust, as mentioned in Section 3 of the Indian Trusts Act of 1882.
(d) a will, as defined in clause (h) of Section 2 of the Indian Succession Act of 1925, as well
as any other testamentary disposition by whatever name termed.
(e) any contract for the sale or conveyance of immovable property, or any interest therein.
(f) any type of papers or transactions that the Central Government may notify in the Official
Gazette.
How long is Aadhaar eSign valid?
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Although the Digital Signature Certificate expires in 30 minutes, your eSign on a document
remains valid indefinitely. To prevent abuse, the private key linked with your Signature
Certificate is destroyed.
What other services does Melento provide?
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Apart from eSign services, Melento provides eNACH eMandate services, a smart contract lifecycle
management system, digital stamping as well as Video KYC verification, which enable businesses
to automate from end-to-end.
