Part 1 of my attempt to put the Indian Information Technology Act of 2000 in simple words, without legalese

Digital Signature

1. Recognizes digital signature and approves that electronic records can be authenticated with digital signatures. Also empowers the government to decide and modify rules around digital signatures

Electronic Governance

1. Allows for exisitng laws to recognize electronic documents at par with hard copies and digital signatures with actual, without such recognition be enforced upon the government/its bodies
2. Allows for bodies owned and/or controlled by the government to recognize filings/payments in electronic format for the purposes to grant a license/permit/approval/sanction etc
3. Puts publication of laws and bye laws in the electronic Gazatte of the government at par with the official gazette

Attribution, Acknowledgement and Dispatch of Electronic records

1. Lays down criteria to attribute an electronic record/communication to an originator
2. Defines what constitutes an acknowedgement to an electronic communication, and when or when not, the communication becomes binding
3. Defines the Time and place of dispatch and receipt of electronic communication

Secure Electronic Records and secure digital signatures

1. The government can prescribe a ’security procedure’ for digital records having regard to the commercial circumstances at the time when the procedure has to be prescribed
2. An electronic record will be called a secure electronic record till verification if a security procedure has been applied to it
3. Lays down conditions when digital signatures will be deemed as secure

Regulation of certifying authorities
(continued in Part 2)