**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Directorate-General for Communication Networks, Content and Technology (DG CONNECT) of the European Commission have signed an Administrative Arrangement on Advanced Electronic Signatures and Seals on 27 January 2026. The agreement promotes cooperation on interoperability of electronic signatures, seals, and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) systems. The cooperation will be implemented by MeitY through the Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA).
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **General**
* Signed by the Secretary, MeitY, and the Director-General, DG CONNECT.
* Aims to strengthen India–EU digital cooperation.
* Promotes the use of secure and trusted electronic signatures and seals in cross-border digital transactions and trade.
* **Framework for Cooperation**
* Provides a framework for cooperation on interoperability of electronic signatures, electronic seals, and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) systems.
* Consistent with the laws of India and the European Union.
* **Implementation and Future Intent**
* MeitY will implement the cooperation through the Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA).
* India and the European Union intend to link their trusted lists of recognized service providers.
* The arrangement lays the foundation for deeper cooperation in the future.
* **Benefits for Users**
* Indian exporters and EU buyers will be able to sign contracts, invoices, and compliance documents digitally using trusted electronic signatures.
* Reduces transaction time, cost, and verification effort for cross-border trade, especially for MSMEs.
* Increases trust and legal certainty in India-EU digital trade by enabling faster validation of documents on both sides.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Exporters and EU Buyers**
* **Impact:** Facilitated digital signing of contracts, invoices, and compliance documents using trusted electronic signatures.
* **Action Required:** Adopt digital signing practices and utilize trusted electronic signatures for cross-border trade with the EU.
**MSMEs**
* **Impact:** Reduced transaction time, cost, and verification efforts for cross-border trade.
* **Action Required:** Leverage the improved digital trade infrastructure to reduce transaction efforts, and improve business dealings with European partners.
**MeitY and CCA**
* **Impact:** Responsible for implementing the cooperation.
* **Action Required:** Implement cooperation through the Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA), while operating within the applicable provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
Key Entities Referenced
DG CONNECT: Directorate-General for Communication Networks, Content and Technology of the European Commission.
MeitY: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, India.
European Commission: One of the main institutions of the European Union.
Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA): Authority regulating certifying authorities for digital signatures in India.
Information Technology Act, 2000: Indian law providing legal framework for electronic transactions and digital signatures.
Ministry of Electronics & IT
MeitY signs Administrative Arrangement on
Advanced Electronic Signatures and Seals with
DG CONNECT of European Commission
Posted On: 02 FEB 2026 5:36PM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, and the Directorate-General for
Communication Networks, Content and Technology (DG CONNECT) of the European Commission have signed an
Administrative Arrangement on Advanced Electronic Signatures and Seals on 27 January 2026.
The arrangement was signed by the Secretary, MeitY, and the Director-General, DG CONNECT. The
cooperation will be implemented by MeitY through the Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA), in line
with India’s legal and regulatory framework according to the applicable provisions of the Information
Technology Act, 2000 within the established framework regulated by Controller of Certifying Authorities
(CCA).
The arrangement provides a framework for cooperation on interoperability of electronic signatures,
electronic seals, and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) systems, consistent with the laws of India and
European Union with the aim to strengthen India–EU digital cooperation by promoting the use of secure
and trusted electronic signatures and seals in cross-border digital transactions and trade.
Under this cooperation, India and the European Union intend to link their respective trusted lists of
recognised service providers thus helping in easier validation of electronic signatures and seals issued in
India and the European Union for cross-border use. The arrangement lays the foundation for deeper
cooperation in the future.
Indian exporters and EU buyers will be able to sign contracts, invoices, and compliance documents
digitally using trusted electronic signatures without paper or courier delays.
This will reduce transaction time, cost, and verification effort for cross-border trade, especially for
MSMEs. It will also increase trust and legal certainty in India–EU digital trade by enabling faster
validation of documents on both sides.
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