Website Policies

The Government of India has established comprehensive guidelines to ensure uniformity, accessibility, and transparency across its websites. These are encapsulated in the Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW), which provide a framework for designing, developing, and maintaining government websites and applications. ​guidelines.india.gov.in+1guidelines.india.gov.in+1

Key Components of Central Government Website Policies:

1. Terms and Conditions:

   • Government websites include terms that govern the use of their content, disclaimers regarding accuracy, and limitations of liability. For instance, the National Portal of India outlines that while efforts are made to ensure accuracy, the information should not be construed as a legal statement.​India.gov

2. Copyright Policy:

   • Content on government websites is typically protected by copyright laws. Reproduction of material requires prior permission, and appropriate acknowledgment of the source is mandatory. The Ministry of Home Affairs specifies that content cannot be used in misleading or objectionable contexts.​mha.gov.in

3. Privacy Policy:

   • These policies detail the handling of personal information collected from visitors. Generally, personal data is not collected without consent, and any information provided is used solely for the intended purpose. The National Portal of India emphasizes that personal information is protected from loss, misuse, or unauthorized access.​mha.gov.in+1India.gov+1India.gov

4. Hyperlinking Policy:

   • Government websites provide guidelines on linking to external sites and the conditions under which other websites can link to them. For example, the Ministry of Home Affairs requires prior permission before hyperlinks are directed from any website to their site.​mha.gov.in

5. Accessibility:

   • Ensuring that websites are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities, is a priority. The GIGW outlines standards for accessibility, such as providing text alternatives for non-text content and ensuring that all functionalities are available from a keyboard. ​guidelines.india.gov.in+1guidelines.india.gov.in+1

6. Content Management:

   • Policies are in place for content contribution, moderation, approval, archival, and review to maintain accuracy and relevance. The GIGW recommends clearly defined policies approved by a Web Information Manager (WIM) to ensure efficient content management.