Vakilpedia Blog · Updated 4 October 2026

Is an E-Signature Legally Valid in India? Signing PDFs on WhatsApp

Yes — Indian law recognises electronic signatures, and most everyday agreements can be signed electronically. But not every e-signature carries the same legal weight, and a few documents still need ink. Here is the practical position under the Information Technology Act, 2000.

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What the law says

  • Section 5, IT Act: where a law requires a signature, an electronic signature in the manner prescribed satisfies it.
  • Section 3A, IT Act: a record may be authenticated by an electronic signature or authentication technique that is reliable and is specified in the Second Schedule. Aadhaar-based eSign and digital signature certificates are specified there.
  • Section 10A, IT Act: a contract is not unenforceable merely because it was formed electronically.
  • Section 1(4) and the First Schedule, IT Act: the Act does not apply to certain documents — wills and trusts, and (with a 2022 relaxation for some regulated lenders) negotiable instruments other than cheques, powers of attorney, and contracts for sale or conveyance of immovable property.

Two kinds of e-signature

Aadhaar eSign / DSCSimple e-signature (click, type or draw)
Specified in the IT Act Second ScheduleYesNo
Good forFilings and documents where a law demands a signatureEngagement letters, consents, NDAs, vendor and client agreements
How it is provedStatutory presumptions for secure electronic signaturesLike any electronic record — audit trail, hash and a Section 63 BSA certificate

What makes a simple e-signature hold up

  • Proof of who signed: the phone number or email the link was sent to, and when it was opened.
  • Proof the document did not change: a hash of the final PDF.
  • Proof of when: a timestamp you can verify independently.
  • An audit trail you can print and certify under Section 63 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam if the signature is disputed.

Getting a PDF signed on WhatsApp

SignLinx sends your PDF as a signing link on WhatsApp or as a link you can share. Signers need no account. Every signed document comes back with a certificate, a full audit trail and a SHA-256 fingerprint timestamped on the Bitcoin blockchain — the evidence a court would ask for if the signature is ever questioned. One document a day is free.

For the court-side of proving it, see Section 63 BSA certificates.

Frequently asked questions

Is a signature on a PDF valid in India?

Generally yes for contracts and consents (IT Act ss.5 and 10A). Documents in the First Schedule of the IT Act, such as wills, are excluded and need a physical signature.

What is the difference between eSign and a digital signature?

Both are in the IT Act’s Second Schedule. A digital signature uses a certificate (DSC) on a token; Aadhaar eSign creates a one-time signature after OTP authentication. A simple e-signature (draw or type) is not in the Schedule but can still be proved as an electronic record.

Can a will be signed electronically in India?

No. Wills are in the First Schedule of the IT Act, so the Act does not apply to them.

This article explains the law in general terms and is not legal advice for any particular case. Section numbers and text are taken from the bare acts; check the current text before you file.

Tools for this

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