FAQ

What is S3WaaS?

NIC’s Web Technology Division conceived S3WaaS to enable government entities to swiftly design, develop, and host GIGW-compliant websites, and to keep them updated in an accessible, multilingual manner—without requiring significant technical effort.

Who can generate websites through S3WaaS.gov.in?

Only government entities are onboarded onto the S3WaaS platform. S3WaaS offers two rollout models: a Free-of-Cost Model and a Paid Model. Only District websites, Raj Bhawan, State Portal, Divisional Commissioner and Chief Ministers are developed under the Free-of-Cost Model, while other government organizations use the Paid Model. For more details, contact S3WaaS Support at s3waas[dot]support[at]gov[dot]in

What kinds of organizations have their websites on the S3WaaS platform?

Over 3,100 websites have migrated to the S3WaaS platform and are continuously monitored. These include websites of the Supreme Court of India, District Administrations, District eCourts, Central Government Ministries and Departments, State Government Departments, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, Raj Bhawans, State Portals, Zila Parishads, and Municipal Corporations. Additionally, hundreds of websites are currently in various stages of development on the S3WaaS platform.

Is the S3WaaS platform compliant with accessibility guidelines?

Yes, S3WaaS Theme/Templates are built in compliance with GIGW (Guidelines for Indian Government Websites) and adhere to WCAG 2.0 Level AA standards to ensure accessibility for all users, including persons with disabilities.

Are the websites generated through S3WaaS automatically certified as GIGW-compliant websites?

The templates provided by S3WaaS are pre-certified by STQC for GIGW compliance. However, once a website is customized and content is populated, it must be submitted to STQC for formal certification. The certification process also requires the submission of certain documents, duly signed by the website owner. The responsibility for initiating the certification process lies with the website owner. For more information regarding Website Quality Certification (WQC), you may refer https://www.stqc.gov.in/website-quality-certification-0

What kind of support is available for website maintenance and troubleshooting?

S3WaaS Support team provides ongoing technical support, including website maintenance, bug fixes, and content management assistance, capacity building Workshops through its helpdesk to ensure smooth operation of S3WaaS websites.

Is it possible to update the content of the website without technical knowledge?

Yes, S3WaaS provides a user-friendly Content Management System (CMS) that allows authorized users to update website content easily without requiring any technical or programming skills.

What are the allowed domains to create a site using S3WaaS?

Only government approved domains names are allowed for entities belonging to Indian Government at all levels right from Central, State/UT, District, Local bodies and other government entities.

How many such domains or alias can be taken for a single website?

Only two domains are allowed (primary and alias) to host any website using S3WaaS.

Can we create bilingual wesbite on S3WaaS platform?

S3WaaS creates bilingual websites with English as the default language, while regional languages can be selected for interface terms during setup. If a language is not available, website owners must translate the terms content and send it to S3WaaS Support for integration at the backend, using the XLS file available for download after login.

What service assurances does the S3WaaS platform provide?

S3WaaS assures high service levels across several critical areas:

Security: Automated processes for audits and certifications ensure robust website security.
Scalability: The platform automatically scales to handle increasing numbers of visitors.
Technology Updates: Periodic upgrades and security patches keep websites up to date.
Disaster Recovery: A read-only version of the website is instantly available in case of failure.
Certification: The Accessibility Certification scheme for S3WaaS websites, launched by STQC, is integrated with the platform and can be accessed directly through the user dashboard.

Can we customize the site once it is live?

Yes, the site can be customized at any time during its lifecycle, including changing the S3WaaS generated website styles/color schemes.

Can we delete the site once it is live?

No, the site cannot be deleted directly once it is live. A request must be sent to the support team at s3waas[dot]support[at]gov[dot]in for site deletion.

Can we build a single department/government entity website under the paid model on S3WaaS?

S3WaaS is implemented on a paid basis for departments/government entities opting for multiple websites (packages of up to 25, 50, 75, or 100 sites). We do not currently offer the service for a single website under the paid model. For details on costing or to explore options, please contact the S3WaaS Support Team at s3waas[dot]support[at]gov[dot]in

What are the contact details of the S3WaaS Support Team?

The S3WaaS Support Team can be contacted at s3waas.support[at]gov[dot]in. Further details are available through the Contact Us link at the bottom of the homepage.

Can I customize the site once live?

Yes, the site can be customized any time during its lifecycle including theme change.

Can I change the owner details?

Yes, the technical contact and administrative contact (owner) details can be changed anytime during the lifecycle of the website only after verification of the contact details. Before verification of the administrative contact only email and mobile number can be changed and no other details can be changed. This provision is not available for the Technical Contact.

This is primarily if any of these contact persons changed viz. Transferred or Superannuated. A defined process has to be followed for the same.

Is there any helpdesk or support where one can contact in case of any further queries?

24X7 Help Desk can be contacted at 1800111555 and further details is available through the Contact Us link at the bottom of the homepage.

Are the websites generated through S3WaaS automatically certified as GIGW Compliant Website?

Templates provided at S3WaaS are certified by STQC for GIGW Compliant, however once these have been customized and the content has been populated the website needs to be submitted to STQC for a formal certification. Certification process also requires submission of a few documents duly signed by the website owner. Responsibility of initiating the certification process lies with the website owner. You may contact Director General, STQC, Electronics Niketan, MeitY, New Delhi – 3 for details regarding the Website Quality Certification (WQC).

Can I create a website in a language other than English?

The S3WaaS generated website is bilingual. English is the default language; however interface terms in the template can be in one of the regional languages available for selecting in the technical contact details form. The website will be generated with the selected language as the second language.

If a language of your choice is not available in the dropdown please hold on going forward and try to create a website only after your required language is incorporated.

For languages those are not available currently; the website owner will have to translate the interface elements and static content and the list in XLS file is available for download after login by the Technical Contact. The Technical Contact has to send the translated content to S3WaaS Support for integration at the backend.

If Language of our state is not given in drop down menu ?

If a language of your choice is not available in the dropdown please hold on going forward and try to create a website only after your required language is incorporated.

Who verify the uploaded authorization letter?

It’s a self declaration and self regulation mechanism.

Remember, Authorisation letter can only be downloaded after Administrative Contact details are verified through OTP.

However, once the Technical Contact uploads the authorization letter; it would only be seen by the S3WaaS Administrator w.r.t. the auto generated letter being printed on the Letter Head before being Signed and Stamped by the Administrative Contact (Owner). But the responsibility for ensuring the authenticity and genuineness lies solely with the Administrative Contact (Owner).

When my website can go live?

After submitting the DNS registration form to DNS Team for making the CNAME entry, user (Technical Contact) can make the site live by clicking on 'Make Site Live' button on the dashboard to make the available for public.

Where my site will be hosted?

S3WaaS takes care of your site hosting; you need to select a data centre from the list of available data centres while filling the technical contact details form.

Is there any defined time period for making a site live?

Yes, the Technical Contact and the Administrative Contact are responsible for making the temporary sites live within a period of 45 days from the date/time of its generation.

What will happen to sites if not made live in 45 days site live period?

Temporary sites would automatically be purged from the dashboard immediately after 45 days period allotted for making a site live.

When a site is available for customization?

User (technical contact) can customize and add content in the created Site immediately after creation. The temporary site would be live with an auto-generated URL which can be accessed through the dashboard. This can be made public after making CNAME entry in the DNS Server.

How can I customize my site?

Once your site is created, it will appear on the Dashboard with a customize site button. Choose customize site, you will be directed to your site. Here you can customize your site components and content with edit & customize options. Help section at https://s3waas.gov.in can be referred to customize a website.

After entering Mobile Number for Technical Details OTP has not been received, tried several times.

Raise a support ticket with Service Desk by providing all requisite details so that your site can be identified by the S3WaaS Support. Support team would respond you back soon. However, to continue the process, enter the OTP received on your email.

Please give me S3WaaS Support Phone no. So that I can call and report the issue.

You can call at Service Desk number 1800111555.

PIN code error, while entering PIN code at the time of filling Technical Details or Administrative Details.

If any such issue comes up please hold on going forward and try to create a website only after your PIN Code is incorporated.

Send a mail to s3waas[dot]support[at]gov[dot].in so that your site can be identified by the S3WaaS Support. Support team would respond you back soon.

The authorization letter generated has some mistakes. So we want to again edit the owner and technical contact details. What is the procedure?

Ensure valid name and contact details are provided while going through the registration process. In case any such issue pointed out after website generation, immediately please mail at s3waas.support[at]nic[dot]in. Your site has to purged so that you can create the site with correct contact details.

What are the guidelines for the district websites which are already hosted on cloud?

Yes, you can generate a new website through S3WaaS and migrate content and go live with the new generated website with existing website URL.

I entered the wrong URL, need to update the same.

You can register again with correct URL and mail at s3waas.support[at]nic[dot]in to delete wrong URL.

District Nodal Web Officer can be a Site Owner or only a District Magistrate is authorized for same?

Only District Magistrate or District Collector can be the Website Owner.

How can I configure site Feedback form with District specific E-mail Id?

Go to Feedback page of your website, and click Edit Page from top bar
On the Feedback Edit screen, copy the numeric Feedback form id from description box
Click Contact - Contact Forms on the left dashboard, and search for Feedback form Id copied in #2
Click to edit the Feedback Form that corresponds to your Feedback form Id
Click Mail Tab to customize the email that is sent automatically for every feedback received, and to specify the district specific E-mail. Edit following fields, and click Save provided at the right panel of editor screen:
- To: Enter the district specific E-Mail ID on which feedback will be received
- From: Enter the E-Mail Id as [District-name]

Note : Repeat steps to configure District specific E-mail Id for bilingual version of the Feedback page.

What service levels may one expect from S3WaaS?

S3WaaS assures of service levels in the following areas:

Security – Automated process for audits & certification
Scalability – Assured scaling as per number of visitors
Technology Updates – Periodic upgrades & patches
Disaster Recovery – Read-only version of website instantly available
Certification – Digital process, seamlessly integrated & actionable through a dashboard