Can You Renew a DSC on Your Old USB Token in 2026?

DSC USB token with a question mark beside a card listing token model, serial number, firmware and FIPS level to check before renewal

For years the answer was simple: keep your USB token and just load the new certificate on it. In 2026 the answer is "it depends on the token model". With the industry moving to FIPS 140-3 tokens, not every old token can accept a new certificate.

Why renewal on an old token is no longer automatic

A DSC renewal is technically a fresh certificate issued to you and downloaded to a token. Certifying Authorities check that the token is a supported, approved model. Older FIPS 140-2 tokens are being phased out for new issuance, so some will be refused at the download step even though they work fine for signing.

How to check your token

Plug in the token and open its utility (for example the ePass or HYP2003 manager).
Open token information and note the model, serial number and firmware version.
Send us a screenshot on WhatsApp. We will tell you whether it can take a new certificate.
Check the token body and packaging for the series name and any FIPS marking.

When you can usually keep your token

The token is in good working condition and detected on your computer.
Its exact model and version is supported by the Certifying Authority issuing your new DSC.
You know your token PIN and the token is not locked.

When you will need a new token

The token model is on the phased-out list for new downloads.
The token is damaged, locked or no longer detected.
The token was previously initialised by another provider in a way that blocks a new download.

What happens to the certificate already on the old token?

Do not erase it. Your current DSC can generally be used until its expiry date. Keep the old token safe until you have registered the new certificate on every portal you use.

Still stuck? We will fix it with you

Send us a screenshot of the error on WhatsApp. Bizgroww, Kolkata — pan-India DSC support.

💬 Get help on WhatsApp

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my old token wasted?

No. It still works for signing with the certificate already on it until that certificate expires.

Can I put two certificates on one token?

Yes, if the token supports it and has space, but only when the model is accepted for the new download.