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GIGW 3.0

GIGW 3.0

Ensuring Accessible Government Services in India

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What is GIGW 3.0?

The Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW) 3.0 is a comprehensive framework designed to ensure the digital inclusion of all citizens—including persons with disabilities—by making government websites and mobile applications accessible, secure, and user-friendly. Initially formulated by NIC and launched in 2009, GIGW has evolved through structured versions, with GIGW 3.0 being the most comprehensive yet, integrating international standards like WCAG 2.1 Level AA, Section 508, and ADA principles.

New Feature in GIGW 3.0

  • GIGW 3.0 focuses on improving quality and user experience by emphasizing on consistent UI/UX, API integration, and social media integration.
  • The latest version ensures accessibility compliance with Level AA of W3C’s WCAG 2.1, with 17 new success criteria added.
  • It includes a new chapter on cybersecurity, stressing the need for continuous updates and adherence to advisories from CERT-In.
  • GIGW 3.0 highlights risk mitigation by outlining the risks associated with non-conformance to each guideline.
  • GIGW now recommends actionables for government organizations, developers, and evaluators.

At Accessible Minds, we proudly serve as Accessibility testing experts for GIGW Guidelines in India, supporting public and private entities in achieving accessibility conformance. We are also a trusted WCAG accessibility audit partner in India and a digital accessibility partner for ADA and Section 508 in the USA.

Evolution of GIGW: A Quick Background

  • GIGW 1.0 (2009)

    Introduced by NIC and adopted by DARPG into the Central Secretariat Manual of Office Procedure (CSMOP). Guidelines were categorized as Mandatory (MUST), Advisory (SHOULD), and Voluntary (MAY). This version laid the foundation for web content quality, branding, technology, and accessibility.

  • GIGW 2.0 (2018)

    Focused on mobile responsiveness and updated HTML/CSS standards. Introduced mobile app accessibility, aligned with WCAG 2.0 Level AA, and categorized compliance into General Guidelines and Accessibility Guidelines.

  • GIGW 3.0 (2023)

    The latest version emphasizes quality, accessibility, security, and lifecycle management. It aligns with WCAG 2.1 Level AA, enhancing touch gesture accessibility for mobile devices. We assist in Accessibility Testing with GIGW Guidelines in India and are your go-to GIGW 3.0 Government Website Accessibility Experts in India.

  • RPwD Act, 2016: Legal Backbone for Digital Accessibility

    The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, enacted by the Government of India, mandates equal access to information and communication technologies, including digital content and online services. Under Section 42 of the Act, appropriate government bodies must ensure that all information and communication technology (ICT) is accessible to persons with disabilities.

    GIGW 3.0 explicitly aligns with the RPwD Act, reinforcing that digital accessibility is not just a best practice, it’s a legal obligation for government and public-facing platforms. Failure to comply can result in legal penalties and reputational damage.

    At Accessible Minds, we integrate RPwD Act requirements into our accessibility audits and remediation efforts, helping organizations:

    • Avoid legal non-compliance
    • Improve inclusivity across digital platforms
    • Align with both Indian law and international standards (WCAG 2.2, ADA, Section 508)

  • IS-17802: India’s ICT Accessibility Standard

    Alongside GIGW 3.0 and the RPwD Act, Indian Standard IS-17802 further strengthens the country’s digital accessibility framework. Notified in 2023, it establishes comprehensive accessibility requirements for ICT products and services, including websites, mobile apps, software, hardware, and documentation. Structured in two parts Requirements (perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust design) and Conformance (evaluation methods) IS-17802 aligns with global standards such as WCAG and Section 508, while addressing India’s unique needs like multilingual accessibility.

GIGW 3.0 Compliance Focus Areas

Focus
Quality
Objective
Ensuring a user-friendly experience for visitors
Count
25
Abbrev
Q
Focus
Accessibility
Objective
Creating a more inclusive digital environment ( as per RPWD Act )
Count
50
Abbrev
A
Focus
Security
Objective
Protection of user data and content
Count
3
Abbrev
S
Focus
Life Cycle Management
Objective
Policies & Plans for website management & maintenance
Count
10
Abbrev
L

These are mapped with the risk of non-conformance, allowing organizations to proactively mitigate:

  1. Poor Quality (10)
  2. Bad Accessibility (9)
  3. Weak Security (15)

GIGW 3.0 Structure and Requirements

Each guideline under GIGW 3.0 includes:

  1. Statement of purpose
  2. Expected benefits
  3. Actionable items
  4. Role-based actions for Departments, Developers, and Evaluators
  5. External references to standards and resources

As Guidelines for Indian Government Websites and apps experts, we assist government clients and contractors in applying each of these elements with precision and compliance.

Key Compliance Requirements

All government platforms must support inclusive experiences. GIGW 3.0 Government Website Accessibility in India and Government App Accessibility in India ensures these platforms serve citizens using assistive technologies.

  • Document Accessibility

    Government documents—PDFs, Word files, etc.—must be screen-reader friendly. Our PDF and document accessibility remediation services USA and India ensure all formats are compliant.

  • Security & Hosting

    Web and mobile assets must:

    1. Be audited by a certified body (NIC, STQC, CERT-In)
    2. Comply with OWASP Top 10, ISO 27001, CIS benchmarks
    3. Maintain Security Policy, Privacy Policy, and Contingency Plan
    4. Be hosted in secure, multi-tier data centers with 24×7 support

  • Policy Integration

    GIGW 3.0 includes templates and guidelines for:

    1. Content Moderation (CMAP)
      Content Archival (CAP)
    2. Copyright & Hyperlinking
    3. Website Monitoring & Terms & Conditions

    We help implement these while delivering best website accessibility testing services in USA and India.

  • Implementation Roadmap

    As your accessibility testing partner for government contracts, we guide you through the following:

    1. Review GIGW 3.0 Checklist
    2. Identify Gap Areas
    3. Evaluate Developer and Department Actions
    4. Check Compliance
    5. Prepare Website Quality Manual (WQM)
      Apply for Certification
    6. Perform Periodic Monitoring

Who Needs GIGW 3.0?

  • Central and State Government Departments
  • Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)
  • Government-Supported NGOs
  • Educational & Healthcare Institutions
  • Urban Local Bodies & Smart Cities

Why Choose Accessible Minds for GIGW 3.0?

We are Accessibility testing experts for GIGW Guidelines in India, providing:

Service
GIGW 3.0 Accessibility Audits
Benefit
Conformance to Indian and global accessibility standards
Service
Accessibility Remediation
Benefit
WCAG-compliant fixes in design, code, and content
Service
PDF & Document Remediation
Benefit
Accessible file formats with assistive tech support
Service
Training & Workshops
Benefit
Capacity building aligned with ADA, Section 508, and GIGW
Service
Real-time Monitoring & Reporting
Benefit
Ongoing evaluation to ensure continuous compliance

Ready to Comply with GIGW 3.0?

Let’s Make Government Services Accessible to All.

Whether launching a new digital platform or remediating an existing one, Accessible Minds is your trusted partner for GIGW 3.0 Government Website Accessibility and GIGW 3.0 Government App Accessibility in India.

We also extend accessibility services for edtech companies in USA and accessibility services for healthcare companies in USA, especially those serving public interest or receiving government funding.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • GIGW 3.0 (Guidelines for Indian Government Websites 3.0) is a set of accessibility guidelines introduced by the Government of India to make government websites and digital platforms more accessible for people with disabilities.

  • Compliance ensures your websites are accessible to all citizens, including those with disabilities, promoting inclusivity and transparency while fulfilling legal obligations.

  • As a trusted WCAG accessibility audit partners in India, we offer comprehensive services, including accessibility audits, remediation support, and ongoing monitoring, to help government agencies comply with GIGW 3.0 and enhance accessibility for all users.

Still, have any questions? Contact us