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Section 32: Display of license

Information Technology Act • Official Statutory Text & Practice Guide

Statutory Regulation
Legal Standard
Competent Court / Tribunal
Act 2000
Section 31 All 90 Sections of Information Technology Act Section 33

Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 32

Section 32 mandates that every licensed Certifying Authority must prominently display its license granted by the Controller at its registered place of business and across all public web portals used for issuing digital signature certificates.

  • Prominent Physical Display: Requires the Certifying Authority to display a certified copy of the operational license in a conspicuous position at every office where it carries on certification business.
  • Prominent Digital Publication: Mandates that the license, its number, validity dates, and regulatory endorsements be clearly accessible on the CA's official public website and portal.
  • Public Consumer Transparency: Ensures that subscribers and relying parties can readily verify the statutory authorization and valid standing of the Certifying Authority prior to purchasing services.
Key Landmark Precedents:
  • State of Bombay v. F.N. Balsara AIR 1951 SC 318: Constitution Bench held that statutory transparency conditions imposed on regulated commercial licenses are reasonable restrictions in the interest of the general public.
  • Mohd. Hanif Quareshi v. State of Bihar AIR 1958 SC 731: Supreme Court affirmed that public regulatory display mandates protect consumers and preserve market integrity.
  • Minerva Mills Ltd. v. Union of India (1980) 3 SCC 625: Supreme Court reiterated that statutory regulatory controls must be applied transparently to prevent clandestine commercial operations.
Courtroom Practice & Strategic Litigation Guidance:

When verifying the credentials of an unfamiliar Certifying Authority, inspect its public web portal for the mandatory Section 32 license display; absence of the official CCA license number and valid cryptographic certificate indicates an unaccredited and unauthorized operation.

Section 31 All 90 Sections of Information Technology Act Section 33