Why Do Indian Government Websites Struggle With Design?

Despite the growing digital presence of India, many government websites remain outdated, clunky, and difficult to use. In an era where user experience defines credibility, this is more than just a design issue it’s a functionality crisis.

#Why Are Indian Government Websites So Badly Designed?

Why Do Indian Government Websites Struggle With Design?

tags: ["Web Design", "UX", "India", "Frontend", "Government", "Case Study"]

## Introduction

If you've ever visited an Indian government website, you know the pain: broken layouts, confusing navigation, outdated design, and often non-functional links. In an age of slick digital products and seamless user experiences, our government platforms feel like a throwback to the early 2000s. But why? Let's break this down, not just to complain, but to understand and propose better directions.

## Outdated Design Standards

Most government websites still rely on legacy designs from a decade or more ago. These sites often use fixed-width layouts, outdated fonts, non-responsive frameworks, and minimal visual hierarchy. The result? A poor user experience on both desktop and mobile devices.

## Accessibility Ignored

Web accessibility is about making websites usable by everyone, including people with disabilities. Unfortunately, many Indian government sites do not follow accessibility guidelines such as WCAG. Font contrast, screen-reader compatibility, and keyboard navigation are often neglected.

## Cluttered User Interfaces

Instead of prioritizing user flow and task completion, many government sites dump massive amounts of information on a single page. Dropdowns stacked inside tabs, outdated PDF links, and irrelevant notices crowd the interface. Users are forced to hunt through noise to find what they need.

## Lack of UX Research

Effective web design starts with understanding the user. But most government projects don’t begin with usability testing, interviews, or behavioral analysis. Without this research, interfaces are created based on assumption and bureaucracy, not real user needs.

## Poor Mobile Optimization

With over 70 percent of India’s internet users accessing the web through smartphones, mobile-first design should be mandatory. Yet many official sites either don’t function well on mobile or require awkward zooming and panning.

## Bureaucratic Procurement Process

One of the biggest bottlenecks is the outdated procurement system. Government agencies typically award website projects through tenders, where the lowest bidder wins. This leads to poor design quality because the focus is on cost-cutting rather than value delivery.

## Inconsistent Design Language

Each department seems to create its own design language. There's no unified design system, like the US Web Design System or the UK's GOV.UK Design System. This inconsistency confuses users and adds friction.

## Static Content and Lack of Updates

Websites are often launched and then forgotten. Content becomes outdated quickly, links break, and services disappear. With no dedicated content teams or product managers, there's no one maintaining or iterating on the platform.

## Lack of Open Feedback Loops

Modern products thrive on feedback. Government websites usually have no user feedback forms, no version history, and no mechanism for reporting bugs. Users are treated like one-time visitors rather than long-term users of a digital service.

## What Can Be Done

1. Introduce centralized design systems

2. Prioritize user research and usability testing

3. Enforce mobile-first and responsive standards

4. Adopt accessibility standards and conduct audits

5. Assign dedicated product and content teams to maintain sites

6. Move beyond lowest-bidder contracts and reward quality

7. Build feedback systems to constantly improve UX

Real-world examples of bad vs good implementation

Suggestions for solving these design problems

What we can learn from global government websites doing it right

1. Lack of UX Research and Prioritization

Most Indian government websites are built without involving actual users in the design process. No user testing, no feedback loop. As a result, the websites reflect what bureaucrats think users want—not what users actually need.

For example:

Websites use terms like "Apply for Domicile" or "Gazette Publication" without explanations

No consistent design systems or layouts

Users often end up confused or stuck, especially older citizens

2. Poor Mobile Responsiveness

Mobile usage dominates in India, yet many sites are still optimized only for desktops. Try opening:

https://epfindia.gov.in

https://nrega.nic.in

You'll notice broken layouts, hidden menus, and difficult-to-click buttons.

Contrast this with gov.uk or canada.ca—simple, responsive, readable, and accessible on all devices.

3. Overloaded, Unorganized Interfaces

Many Indian government sites try tofit everything on the homepage. The result:

Dense interfaces

Too many CTAs

Inconsistent fonts and styles

Take a look at:

https://india.gov.in

https://eshram.gov.in

These pages present walls of text and information with no clear priority or navigation.

Compare this with australia.gov.au, where minimal design meets smart layout.

4. Reliance on Outdated Tech Stacks

Many portals are still built with legacy tech like:

Static HTML

Java applets

Inline CSS and scripts

These choices lead to:

Poor performance

Difficult maintenance

Security vulnerabilities

For a country with a booming tech sector, this is ironic and frustrating.

5. Accessibility is Rarely Considered

Most Indian websites fail to meet even the basic WCAG standards. Users with visual or physical impairments face major friction.

Global examples like:

https://gov.uk

https://whitehouse.gov

Use contrast-tested fonts, screen reader support, and keyboard navigation to ensure universal access.

How Can This Be Fixed?

Design Principles to Implement:

Use design systems like GovDesign

Follow accessibility checklists (WCAG 2.1)

Create mobile-first responsive layouts

Prioritize clarity and minimalism

Action Steps for the Government:

1. Involve UX designers, not just developers

2. Run design audits of all legacy websites

3. Create a unified design system and component library

4. Launch a national-level accessibility taskforce

5. Collaborate with private agencies through public design hackathons

Final Thoughts

If we want citizens to trust and use digital governance, the interface needs to earn their trust first. Websites are the first point of contact between people and policy. It's not just about aesthetics it's about usability, clarity, and dignity.

## Conclusion

Poorly designed government websites are not just an inconvenience. They reflect outdated systems, neglect of accessibility, and disregard for the user experience of over a billion citizens. To move forward, India needs a digital governance revolution that prioritizes functionality, inclusivity, and clarity. With the right policies, talent, and design thinking, government websites can become powerful tools of empowerment rather than barriers to access

The next blog will address another critical issue: Why Indian Government Websites Fail Under Traffic Load breaking down server infrastructure problems and how they affect public services.

Stay tuned.

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Written by Himanshu Jawla – Frontend Developer