# GIGW 3.0 Compliance Checklist

> Updated 2026-10-25 - 9 min read

GIGW 3.0 (Guidelines for Indian Government Websites, Apps and Emerging Digital Technologies) is mandatory for every Indian government website, portal and app - central, state and PSU. It's broader than an accessibility standard alone, layering content, usability and security requirements on top of WCAG 2.1 AA. This checklist walks through what an actual GIGW 3.0 assessment covers.

## Scope: who must comply

Central and state government bodies, PSUs, and the digital service providers and vendors who build and host platforms for them.

## Accessibility requirements (WCAG 2.1 AA baseline)

- Full keyboard accessibility with no keyboard traps
- Screen-reader compatibility across key journeys
- Sufficient color contrast on text and interactive elements
- Captions for video content
- Accessible forms with clear labels and error identification
- Skip-navigation links on every page

## Content requirements

- Bilingual or multilingual content (Hindi plus the relevant regional language, where applicable)
- A defined content review and approval workflow
- Mandatory information architecture - About Us, RTI, contact details, sitemap
- A clear copyright, hyperlinking and content-reuse policy

## Usability and design requirements

- Consistent navigation structure across the site
- Mobile responsiveness across common device sizes
- Cross-browser compatibility testing
- Clear, human-readable URL structure
- Working site search functionality

## Security requirements

- HTTPS/SSL across the entire site, not just login pages
- Regular vulnerability assessment
- A clear data-privacy notice
- Hosting on empanelled or government-approved infrastructure where mandated

## Certification and audit process

GIGW 3.0 assessment typically follows an STQC-style process: documentation of the above requirements, a technical review of the live platform, and a defined re-certification cadence rather than a one-time check.

## FAQ

**Is GIGW 3.0 the same as an accessibility audit?**
No - accessibility (WCAG 2.1 AA) is one pillar, but GIGW 3.0 also assesses content, usability and security requirements specific to government platforms.

**Who assesses GIGW compliance?**
Assessment is typically done by STQC or an accredited third party; we prepare your platform to pass that assessment and can coordinate directly with your empanelled certifying body.