2024 · Q47
Which of the following statements, as per the Information Technology Act, 2000, is/are correct?
- 1This Act provides that electronic signature is legally valid in the same manner as the handwritten signature.
- 2Both the Central Government and State Governments have been given the power to make rules with respect to electronic signature. Select the answer using the code given below:
General KnowledgeIndian Polity and Governance
- A1 only
- B2 only
- CBoth 1 and 2
- DNeither 1 nor 2
Explanation
The IT Act, 2000 gives electronic signatures the same legal validity as handwritten signatures (Sections 4 and 10A), so statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is legally contentious: Section 10 vests rule-making on electronic signatures in the Central Government, while Section 90 separately empowers State Governments to make rules to carry out the Act's provisions. Because sources and legal readings split on whether states share the e-signature rule-making power specifically, the stored key is retained with a caution. Keeping the stored key, option C is marked correct. Note: this key is disputed — verify against the official UPSC key.