Evidence policy

Evidence created

Each certificate binds four elements under one digital signature: the SHA-256 fingerprint, the UTC issuance time, the certificate ID and the issuing key. Altering any element invalidates the signature.

Permanence

Issued certificates are immutable. The database rejects updates and deletions of evidence fields, and every issuance is appended to a hash-chained audit log.

Chain of custody

Every issuance, verification and administrative action is logged with a timestamp. Each log entry contains the hash of the previous entry, so any tampering breaks the chain.

Presenting evidence

• The PDF Certificate of Prior Existence
• The original file, which reproduces the same fingerprint
• Online verification at our Verify page by ID or QR code
• On request, a Bureau statement confirming the record and its audit trail

Legal framework

Certificates are designed for use under the Information Technology Act, 2000, the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (electronic records) and the Copyright Act, 1957.

Requests

For certified statements or evidence assistance, write to support@nceb.n1x.in with your certificate ID.