The GSTN has issued an Advisory dated 19.09.2026, regarding the introduction of emSigner Version 3.3 for taxpayers and tax officers using Digital Signature Certificates (DSCs) on the GST Portal to ensure compatibility with new DSC USB tokens issued on or after 21 September 2026. Users receiving a fresh or renewed DSC on a new dongle are required to upgrade to emSigner v3.3, as older versions will not support such tokens. However, taxpayers and tax officers having existing valid DSCs on working tokens as on 21 September 2026 need not immediately upgrade and may continue using their existing emSigner version. Version 3.3 is also stated to be backward compatible with existing tokens and may be installed where signing failures or non-detection of the DSC occur.

The advisory further aligns the GST Portal’s DSC requirements with the CCA’s migration from FIPS 140-2 to FIPS 140-3 dongles. DSCs already downloaded on FIPS 140-2 tokens on or before 21 September 2026 are not invalidated merely by the migration date and may continue to be used until expiry, subject to applicable CCA requirements. Fresh issuance or subsequent renewal will generally involve FIPS 140-3 compliant dongles, subject to specified exceptions.

Key takeaway:

21 September 2026 is relevant primarily for newly issued/renewed DSC tokens; it does not, by itself, invalidate existing working DSCs. Users receiving new tokens should upgrade to emSigner v3.3, while existing users need to upgrade only if required or if signing/detection issues arise.

The Complete Advisory can be accessed at https://www.gst.gov.in/newsandupdates/read/672