Websites and portals have emerged as the front end for Government initiatives and companies to deliver a wide variety of information and services to its customers and citizens. Customers and citizens have high expectations regarding security, privacy of personal data and accuracy of information. It is therefore vital to ensure that the management of your website is carried out in a planned and professional manner, ensuring effective communication and delivery of services.
STQC has developed a Website Quality Certification Scheme based upon National and International Standards/Best practices. The certification in scheme aims to help in hardening of websites from wide range of Security threats, increasing accessibility, assuring commitment to services and ensuring compliance to the requirements of Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW 3.0) adopted by Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), Government of India. The key thrust of GIGW 3.0 is on offering specific guidance to government organisations on how to improve the user interface and user experience (UI and UX), by incorporating features such as intuitive page loading (using AI and analytics) based on user journey and user profile, using state-of-the-art content management system (CMS), user-centric information architecture (IA), centralised monitoring dashboard to identify and provide alerts on non-conformity and technical enablement of all content creators and publishers. GIGW 3.0 also significantly enhances the guidance on the accessibility and usability of mobile apps, especially by offering specific guidance to government organisations on how to leverage public digital infrastructure devised for whole-of-government delivery of services, benefits and information. These cover aspects such as API level integration for use of integration with social media, India Portal, DigiLocker, Aadhaar-based identity, single sign-on, data sharing in open formats on the government’s data platform, government’s scheme discovery platform, government’s citizen engagement platform MyGov, AI-based Indian language translation tools, seamless content/data access across web-based solutions of government organisations.
Further, to meet the requirements of e-Voting system which are defined as a secured system based process of display of electronic ballots, recording of votes of the members and the number of votes polled in favour or against, in such a manner that the entire voting exercised by way of electronic means gets registered and counted in an electronic registry in a centralised server with adequate cyber security, this certification has been incorporated in compliance with Ministry of Corporate Affairs and other guidelines. Both government and private websites may apply for the same.
The award of the mark "Certified Quality Website (CQW)" is a recognition that the website complies with the requirements of GIGW and the organization has adequate procedures and processes in place to provide reliable and dependable information and service through their website.
Benefits of Certification
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Website Quality Certification A recognition that the organisation has adequate procedures and processes in place to provide reliable and dependable information and services through its website. Will help in ...
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Why to Choose STQC?
STQC is an independent testing and certification organization which is attached office of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India.
STQC has vast experience in operating third party certification schemes with international recognitions. STQC offer services in a very cost effective, competent and credible manner with customer care as the focus.
Certification Process
Website Certification Process :
Certification may be applied through two methods:
STQC Labs (Central Government Labs)
STQC's empaneled Labs (SETL) which have scope of GIGW evaluation
For certification through STQC Labs, the following process needs to be followed:
Step 1: The customer applies to respective STQC IT centre with the consent of STQC Website Certification Body for certification by submitting duly filled in application form along with website quality manual, VA Reports of Application & Database Server, Network Architecture, recent Security Clearance report, details of Data Centers and charges.
Step 2: The assessor reviews the website quality manual for adequacy as per quality criteria and provides the feedback to customer.
Step 3: The assessment team evaluates the website using test tools and manually. Also, assessment of back end processes of the organization is carried out for compliance with scheme requirements.
Step 4: After the satisfactory assessment results, Security audit may be conducted through STQC or STQC empaneled Lab (SETL) or NIC or Cert-IN empaneled and submitted to STQC. Thereafter, STQC issues the Certificate of Registration and Certification Mark (Security audit if required will be charged separately). The certificate shall remain valid for three years with annual surveillance & surprise surveillance audit.
For certification through SETLs Labs, the following process needs to be followed:
Step 1: The customer applies to selected SETL through their own approved procurement procedures.
Step 2: SETL seek the consent of STQC Website Certification Body for certification by submitting duly filled in application form along with website quality manual, VA Reports of Application & Database Server, Network Architecture, recent Security Clearance report, details of Data Centers and charges.
Step 3: The validator will be appointed by STQC Certification for each website submitted by SETLs. The SETL will perform the testing through its assessor who reviews the website quality manual for adequacy as per quality criteria and provides the feedback to customer under supervision of validator.
Step 4: The assessment team evaluates the website using test tools and manually. Also, assessment of back end processes of the organization is carried out for compliance with scheme requirements.
Step 5: After the satisfactory assessment results with recommendations of Validator, Security audit through STQC or STQC empaneled Lab (SETL) or NIC or Cert-IN empaneled may be conducted and submitted to STQC. STQC issues the Certificate of Registration and Certification Mark. The certificate shall remain valid for three years with annual surveillance & surprise surveillance audit.
Charges / Fee for evaluation if performed by STQC Labs :
Charges shall be sought from STQC IT Laboratory assigned for the testing and All charges needs to be deposited, in advance through Bharatkosh Portal (bharatkosh.gov.in) to STQC IT Lab/centre, assigned to carry the website testing job. These charges however does not include charges for Security Audit testing. You may avail the services of any one of the empanelled vendors of CERT-IN or NIC or from STQC or its empanelled SETL Lab for website security testing and provide a copy of this certificate at the time of submitting the application. The same shall be required after completion of accessibility testing. Cert-IN empaneled vendors needs to register in STQC.
Downloads
Imp Notice - Transition plan for Website Quality Certification as per GIGW 3.0 34.23 KB
List of Certified Websites - Click here
For details of GIGW 3.0 visit - Click here
New Application Form for GIGW 3.0
Certification Agreement GIGW 3.0
Exercise Book - Website Quality Manual for Websites GIGW 3.0
Application for Registration of Cert-In empanelled Agencies
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Contact Us
| Name and Designation | Address | Phone/Email/Fax |
|---|---|---|
| Suresh Chandra, Scientist G | STQC Directorate Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology Electronics Niketan, III Floor, 6, CGO Complex, Lodi Road, New Delhi - 110 003 | Phone: 011 - 24301382 Email: suresh AT stqc.gov.in Fax: 011-24363083 |
