GST PORTAL UPDATE | GSTN ADVISORY 672 | DSC / emSigner

Advisory date: 19 September 2026   |   Key transition date: 21 September 2026

GSTN Advisory 672: emSigner v3.3 for New DSC Tokens from 21 September 2026

GSTN has released emSigner version 3.3 for taxpayers and tax officers who use a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) on the GST Portal. The main reason for the new version is compatibility with new DSC USB tokens / dongles issued on or after 21 September 2026.

The important point is that this is not a forced replacement of every existing DSC. Users whose existing valid DSC and existing token are working normally can continue with their present emSigner setup. GSTN asks users with newly issued tokens covered by the change to move to emSigner v3.3.

Quick Answer

Existing DSC + existing token working? No change is required merely because v3.3 has been released. New USB token issued on or after 21 September 2026? GSTN says upgrade to emSigner v3.3. If an existing token is not detected or signing fails despite the correct token driver, GSTN also advises trying v3.3. The new emSigner version is backward compatible with existing tokens.

In This Advisory

Jump directly to the part relevant to your DSC or emSigner setup.

ACTION CHECK

Who Needs emSigner v3.3?

Choose the situation that matches your current DSC setup. The third case is the key change introduced by Advisory 672.

01 · NO ACTION IF WORKING

Existing DSC Works

Your valid DSC and existing USB token are working normally on the GST Portal.

Action: Continue with your current emSigner setup.

02 · CHECK / UPGRADE IF NEEDED

Existing Token Has an Issue

The certificate is not visible for selection or signing fails even though you are using an existing token.

Action: Check the token driver first; then try emSigner v3.3.

03 · UPGRADE REQUIRED

New Token From 21 September

You receive a new DSC USB token / dongle on or after 21 September 2026.

Action: Use emSigner v3.3. GSTN says older versions will not work for such new dongles.

What Changed Under GSTN Advisory 672?

GSTN says emSigner v3.3 is being made available to provide compatibility with DSC tokens issued on or after 21 September 2026.

For users with an existing valid DSC and existing USB token, the advisory does not impose a blanket upgrade. The change becomes operationally important when a user receives a newly issued token, including a new token for a new certificate or a renewal in a new dongle.

GSTN also confirms that v3.3 is backward compatible with existing USB tokens. This means the updated version can also be used where an existing token needs it because of certificate-selection or signing problems.

System Requirements for emSigner v3.3

  • Operating system: Windows 10/11 (64-bit), Ubuntu 18+ or macOS 10.6+
  • System type: 64-bit
  • RAM: 8 GB and above
  • Storage: 64 GB and above
  • Java: Java 1.8 – OpenJDK or Oracle, pre-installed
  • Higher Java versions: GSTN states Java 9 and above are not supported for this setup

Keep the GST DSC System Requirements Page Bookmarked

The advisory itself lists operating-system, Java and browser requirements. For ongoing technical reference, it is useful to keep GSTN’s dedicated DSC System Requirements page bookmarked.

Because browser and local-system compatibility can change over time, the system-requirements page is a better place to re-check the current environment before troubleshooting an installation. Advisory 672 remains the primary source for the v3.3 transition described here.

For a broader setup reference, see our GST Common Portal and Digital Signature Certificate guide.

How to Upgrade to emSigner v3.3

  1. Confirm that the computer used for GST Portal DSC signing meets the required environment.
  2. Install the correct driver for the DSC USB token.
  3. Download emSigner v3.3 from GSTN’s Document Signer / emSigner page.
  4. Install and run emSigner v3.3.
  5. Connect the USB token and test whether the certificate appears for selection and signs successfully.

If the problem continues after the upgrade, GSTN advises raising a ticket with the GST Helpdesk.

FIPS 140-2 to FIPS 140-3 Timeline: 2026 vs 2029

The CCA migration advisory uses both dates for different purposes. 21 September 2026 is the key DSC issuance / migration date. The broader objective in the same CCA document is to retire or replace non-compliant or obsolete cryptographic components completely by 21 September 2029. These are not interchangeable dates.

21 September 2026

  • CAs should stop issuing DSC in FIPS 140-2 modules by this date.
  • DSCs already downloaded in FIPS 140-2 modules on or before this date may continue until their expiry.
  • Such FIPS 140-2 modules are generally not to be used for renewal or fresh DSC download thereafter, subject to CCA exceptions.

21 September 2029

CCA’s wider migration objective is complete retirement or replacement of non-compliant or obsolete cryptographic components by this date. The advisory also contains a limited Government-organisation exception for continued FIPS 140-2 use, but not beyond 21 September 2029 and subject to the stated approval / risk-waiver process.

DSC Not Visible or Signing Failed?

  • Confirm that the correct DSC-token driver is installed.
  • If an existing certificate still does not appear for selection, try emSigner v3.3.
  • If you are using a new token issued on or after 21 September 2026, use v3.3.
  • Re-check the GST Portal DSC system requirements.
  • If the issue continues, raise a GST Helpdesk ticket as advised by GSTN.

TaxPower GST / DSC Service Note

This is a GST Portal and DSC-signing environment update. It should not be presented as a new TaxPower GST filing feature. TaxPower GST users who use DSC for GST Portal signing should ensure that their local DSC environment, emSigner version and token are compatible with the applicable GSTN requirements.

For DSC customers, the practical distinction is simple: an existing working DSC/token does not need replacement merely because emSigner v3.3 has been released. A newly issued token covered by the 21 September 2026 change needs the updated emSigner environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. GSTN says users whose existing valid DSC and existing USB token continue to work normally may continue with their current emSigner version.

Users who receive a new USB token / dongle on or after 21 September 2026, including a new token issued for a new certificate or a renewal in a new dongle, need to upgrade to v3.3 under Advisory 672.

No. The CCA migration advisory states that a DSC downloaded in a FIPS 140-2 module on or before 21 September 2026 may continue in operation until that DSC expires. The same module is generally not to be used for renewal or fresh DSC download thereafter, subject to the exceptions in the CCA advisory.

Both dates appear in the official CCA document for different purposes. 21 September 2026 is the key date for FIPS 140-2 DSC issuance / transition, while 21 September 2029 is the broader objective for complete retirement or replacement of non-compliant or obsolete cryptographic components and the outer date mentioned for the specific Government-organisation exception.

Check the correct token driver, confirm the GST Portal DSC system requirements, and try emSigner v3.3 if the certificate still does not appear or signing fails. If the problem continues, raise a GST Helpdesk ticket.

Official References

Disclaimer: This article is intended for general information and professional awareness. DSC, token, system and GST Portal requirements should be verified against the latest official GSTN/CCA instructions before making operational changes.