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.