Policy Update
Aditya Sharma
Background
Government websites had always exhibited significant inconsistencies in terms of design, technology, content, and accessibility, resulting in challenges to the delivery of service and engagement of citizens using them. Hence, there was a clear need for stark changes in how the government planned to make Digital India a reality. The Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW) represent an integral initiative in India’s e-governance landscape. Conceived in February 2009 by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), GIGW aims to standardize the fragmented digital presence of government entities across the nation.
Adopted by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) as part of the Central Secretariat Manual of Office Procedure (CSMOP), GIGW was built around three foundational objectives:
- Establishing a uniform government identity
- Fostering citizen confidence
- Ensuring content quality and accessibility.
The guidelines are developed through an extensive consultation process and address core issues like security vulnerabilities, accessibility for persons with disabilities, and the lack of standardized content management frameworks.
Functioning
GIGW 3.0, the latest version, operates through a multi-stakeholder model involving government organizations, developers, hosting service providers, and evaluators. NIC, the Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification (STQC) Directorate, and the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) have consistently and cooperatively spearheaded its formulation and implementation.
GIGW mandates each ministry or department to designate a Web Information Manager (WIM), typically at the Joint Secretary level, responsible for ensuring compliance, overseeing content policies, and managing digital assets of the particular ministry or department. GIGW 3.0 encompasses 88 mandatory guidelines for website building, categorized under four domains:
- Quality (25 guidelines),
- Accessibility ( 50 guidelines aligned with WCAG 2.1)
- Cybersecurity (3 guidelines)
- Lifecycle Management (10 guidelines).
The STQC certification process contains document reviews, frontend and backend testing, and evaluation of policies articulated through the Website Quality Manual (WQM). The WQM includes standardized templates for essential policies such as Security, Content Management, Copyright, and Contingency Planning. The guidelines mandate integration with national digital platforms like India Portal, DigiLocker, Aadhaar services, and Single Sign-On (SSO), supporting a seamless user experience. Cloud-based infrastructure like Secure, Scalable, and Sugamya Website (S3WaaS) as a Service further facilitates rapid and compliant deployment.
Performance
GIGW has successfully standardized over 8,000 government websites at the central, state, and local levels. The National Portal of India aggregates this content, providing citizens with unified access to services and information. Compliance with WCAG 2.1 AA standards has markedly improved accessibility, especially for persons with disabilities.
Mandatory security audits by NIC and CERT-In aim to mitigate vulnerabilities and ensure a robust security posture across government digital platforms. The multilingual mandate has significantly enhanced inclusivity across further allowing content to be published in English, Hindi, and regional languages simultaneously.
Search engine visibility and user engagement metrics have improved thanks to the application of standardized SEO and content management protocols. The S3WaaS platform has contributed to a reduction in development time and improved cost-efficiency. Performance monitoring tools now track uptime, link integrity, content freshness, and user traffic, contributing to measurable improvements in user satisfaction. Standardized grievance redressal systems are now embedded within most government websites.
Impact
GIGW has substantially elevated the quality, transparency, and inclusivity of government digital platforms. By providing clarity on clear ownership disclosures, privacy policies, and content update mechanisms, the initiative has enhanced public trust and institutional accountability.
Advancements in accessibility have improved the experience of users with disabilities through screen reader compatibility, high-contrast modes, and keyboard navigation. Compliance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, is now actively facilitated across GIGW-compliant structures. Economically, the shift to uniform development standards and cloud infrastructure implies lowered costs and increased efficiency across operational units.
India’s position in global e-governance has strengthened, with GIGW being viewed as a model for digital standardization. The initiative has spurred the creation of specialized ecosystems for developers and service providers while reinforcing the cybersecurity posture of government IT assets.
Emerging Issues
Despite these achievements, several challenges litter the path to achieving digital freedom. The digital divide continues to limit GIGW’s reach, particularly in rural and marginalized communities where high-speed internet and digital literacy remain inadequate. Vulnerable demographics such as the elderly, women, and informal sector workers often face navigational barriers, despite accessibility compliance.
Cybersecurity threats are evolving rapidly. Although GIGW incorporates robust controls, it must continuously adapt to emerging vectors such as AI-driven attacks, deepfakes, and supply chain vulnerabilities. Many departments still operate on ancient systems incompatible with GIGW requirements, leading to delayed or partial compliance with the regulations.
At the local level, resource constraints in terms of funding, technical expertise, and infrastructure continue to be barriers to implementation. Content management continues to be a potential barrier, with outdated or inaccurate information affecting user trust and engagement.
Way Forward
- GIGW must adapt to emerging technologies while maintaining its foundational focus on accessibility and inclusion. Integration of AI and automation can facilitate personalized user experiences, chatbot-based support, and predictive analytics for governance
- A mobile-first approach should be prioritized given the dominance of smartphones in India. This includes responsive web design, progressive web applications, and offline functionality. Cybersecurity guidelines should be regularly updated to include advanced threat detection, zero-trust architecture, and secure authentication mechanisms.
- Bridging the digital divide requires investment in digital literacy, voice-based interfaces in multiple languages to support persons with disabilities, and a simplified User interface for users who are not highly literate. GIS-based tools could also be incorporated into GIGW for spatially contextualized service delivery and transparency.
- The government should establish standardized performance indicators for cross-platform integration and invest in continuous monitoring systems for performance, accessibility, and user satisfaction.
- At last, targeted training and support infrastructure are essential for sustainable implementation, especially at the grassroots levels. Such measures will ensure GIGW evolves into a benchmark framework that supports an inclusive, secure, and citizen-centric digital landscape that seeks to empower all citizens.
References
About The Contributor: Aditya Sharma is a Research Intern at the Impact and Policy Research Institute (IMPRI) and is in the first year of his Master’s degree in Environmental Economics from the Madras School of Economics. His interest lies in analysing various programs and policies that are centered around sustainability and development.
Acknowledgement: I sincerely thank Aasthaba Jadeja and Bhaktiba Jadeja for assigning this work and providing consistent support throughout.
Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation.
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