In today’s digital era, government services are moving rapidly towards online platforms. From applying for documents to accessing public information, citizens depend heavily on government websites. To ensure these websites are user-friendly, secure, and accessible to all, the Indian government introduced the GIGW – Guidelines for Indian Government Websites and Portals.

Let’s explore what GIGW is, why it’s important, and how it benefits both government organizations and citizens.

What is GIGW?

GIGW (Guidelines for Indian Government Websites) are a set of rules and standards developed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in association with the National Informatics Centre (NIC).

These guidelines ensure that government websites:

• Follow standardized design and structure.
• Are accessible to people with disabilities.
• Maintain security and data privacy.
• Provide reliable and updated information to citizens.

👉 In simple words, GIGW ensures every government website is citizen-friendly, secure, and trustworthy.

Key Objectives of GIGW

• Accessibility: Making websites usable for all, including people with disabilities (as per WCAG standards).
• Usability: Ensuring websites are easy to navigate, with clear design and structure.
• Security: Protecting sensitive citizen data from cyber threats.
• Transparency: Ensuring timely and accurate information is published.
• Standardization: Maintaining a consistent design across all government websites.

Key Features of GIGW

• Responsive Design: Works smoothly on mobile, tablet, and desktop.
• Multilingual Support: Content available in English, Hindi, and regional languages.
• User-Centered Design: Easy navigation, clear headings, and simple layout.
• Data Security: Websites must follow cybersecurity practices like HTTPS, encryption, and regular audits.
• Accessibility Compliance: Meets WCAG 2.1 guidelines for differently-abled users.
• Regular Updates: Ensures accurate and up-to-date content.

Benefits of GIGW

For Citizens:

• Easy to use and navigate.
• Reliable and updated government information.
• Accessible to differently-abled users.
• Secure platform for online services.

For Government Organizations:

• Builds trust among citizens.
• Improves efficiency in delivering online services.
• Helps meet legal and compliance requirements.
• Enhances the digital governance ecosystem.

GIGW Certification

Websites and portals are assessed for GIGW compliance by authorized auditing agencies. Once verified, they are awarded a GIGW Compliance Certificate. This certification assures citizens that the website is secure, accessible, and trustworthy.

With the growing importance of Digital India, GIGW plays a vital role in making government websites inclusive, secure, and citizen-friendly. It ensures that technology is not a barrier but a bridge, bringing governance closer to people.

As India moves towards a fully digital governance system, following GIGW is not just a requirement but a responsibility towards transparent and accessible governance.