Certifying Authority means a person who has been granted a license to issue a Digital Signature Certificate.

Any person desirous of becoming a certifying authority has to make an application to The Controller in the prescribed manner for a license.

The Controller of Certifying Authorities is appointed by the Central Governments notification in the Official Gazette. The Controller is empowered to appoint such no. of Deputy Controller and Assistant Controllers as he may deem fit.

The function of a controller is to exercise supervision and control over the activities of certifying authorities.