Is electronic signature legal in India?
Yes, with some exceptions. The Information Technology Act 2000 gives legal recognition to digital signatures using certificates from licensed certifying authorities and to electronic signature techniques listed in its Second Schedule, such as Aadhaar eSign. Wills, trusts and most powers of attorney and negotiable instruments are still excluded.
Last reviewed October 2026. General information, not legal advice.
E-signature law in India at a glance
- Status
- Legal
- Main laws
Information Technology Act, 2000
Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (evidence law, replaced the Indian Evidence Act 1872)
MeitY notification of 26 September 2022 amending the First Schedule of the IT Act
- Approach
- Two-tier: basic and secure (often certificate-based) signatures
Types of electronic signature in India
Electronic signature under the IT Act
A technique listed in the Second Schedule, such as Aadhaar eSign, or a digital signature using a certificate from a licensed certifying authority. It satisfies a legal signature requirement and has statutory recognition.
Other electronic signatures
Methods such as click-to-accept or typed names are not 'electronic signatures' under the IT Act, but contracts formed this way can still be valid under the Indian Contract Act. Their evidential weight depends on proof.
What you can sign electronically in India
- Commercial and service contracts
- Employment agreements
- NDAs
- Loan and banking documents
- Contracts for the sale of immovable property (registration rules still apply)
- Powers of attorney in favour of RBI, NHB, SEBI, IRDAI or PFRDA regulated entities
Documents that need a handwritten signature or extra formalities
- Wills and other testamentary dispositions
- Trusts
- Powers of attorney, other than those empowering certain regulated financial entities
- Negotiable instruments other than cheques, unless issued in favour of or endorsed by certain regulated financial entities
Contracts that must be “in writing”
Section 4 of the IT Act treats an electronic record as meeting a requirement for writing if it is accessible for later reference, and section 5 lets an electronic signature meet a signature requirement. Documents listed in the First Schedule are excluded.
E-signatures in India: frequently asked questions
Is Aadhaar eSign legally valid in India?
Yes. Aadhaar eSign is listed in the Second Schedule of the IT Act, so it is a recognized electronic signature with the same legal effect as a handwritten one.
Can property sale agreements be e-signed in India?
Since a 2022 amendment, contracts for the sale or conveyance of immovable property are no longer in the IT Act's excluded list. Registration of the sale deed still follows the Registration Act and state procedures.
Are click-wrap and typed signatures valid in India?
They can form a valid contract under the Indian Contract Act, but they are not recognized electronic signatures under the IT Act, so the party relying on them may need more proof.
Can a will be signed electronically in India?
No. Wills remain excluded from the IT Act under the First Schedule.
Sources
This page is general information about e-signature law in India, not legal advice. It was last reviewed in October 2026, and laws change. Check the official sources above or ask a lawyer in India before you rely on an electronic signature for an important document. See also whether electronic signatures are legal.
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