Goa (/ˈɡoʊ.

ə/ GOH-ə;[10] Konkani: [ɡõːj]; Portuguese: [ˈɡoɐ] ⓘ) is a state on the southwestern coast

of India within the Konkan region. It is geographically separated from the Deccan highlands by the Western
Ghats.[11][12] It is bordered by the Indian states of Maharashtra to the north and Karnataka to the east and south,
with the Arabian Sea forming its western coastline. It is India's smallest state by area and fourth-smallest by
popula on.[13] Panaji (Panjim) is the state's capital, while Vasco da Gama is its largest city by popula on.[14] The
state's official language is Konkani, spoken by the majority of its inhabitants.[15]

The Portuguese, who first voyaged to the subcon nent in the early 16th century as merchants, conquered
it shortly therea er. Goa became an overseas territory of the Portuguese Empire and part of what was then
known as Portuguese India, remaining under Portuguese rule for approximately 451 years un l its annexa on by
India in December 1961.[16][17] The historic city of Margão (Madgaon) s ll reflects the cultural legacy
of colonisa on.

Goa is one of India’s most developed small states and has the second-highest GDP per capita among all Indian
states,[18][19] more than twice the na onal average GDP per capita.[20] The Eleventh Finance Commission of India
named Goa the best-placed state in terms of infrastructure, while India's Na onal Commission on
Popula on ranked it as having the highest quality of life in the country.[20] It ranks highest among Indian states in
the Human Development Index.[21] Goa has a robust tourism sector. It has biodiversity, lying near the Western
Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot.[22]

Etymology

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A er the Bahmani-Bijapuri city of Goa was captured by Afonso de Albuquerque in 1510, and made the capital of
the Estado da Índia, the city gave its name to the con guous territories.[cita on needed]

The origin of the city name Goa is unclear. In ancient literature, Goa was known by many names, such
as Gomanchala, Gopakapa ana, Gopakapa am, Gopakapuri, Govapuri, Govem, and Gomantak.[23] Other
historical names for Goa are Sindapur, Sandabur, and Mahassapatam.[24]

History

Main ar cle: History of Goa

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Goan history.

Prehistory
 Usgalimal rock engravings

Rock art engravings found in Goa are one of the earliest known traces of human life in India. [25] Goa, situated
within the Shimoga-Goa Greenstone Belt in the Western Ghats (an area composed of metavolcanics, iron
forma ons, and ferruginous quartzite), yields evidence for Acheulean occupa on.[26] Rock art engravings
(petroglyphs) are present on laterite pla orms and granite boulders in Usgalimal, near the west-
flowing Kushava river, and in Kajur.[27] In Kajur, the rock engravings of animals, tec forms, and other designs in
granite have been associated with what is considered to be a megalithic stone circle, with a round granite stone
in the centre.[28] Petroglyphs, cones, stone-axe, and choppers da ng to 10,000 years ago have been found in
various loca ons in Goa, including Kazur, Mauxim, and the Mandovi-Zuari basin.[29] Recently, these petroglyphs
have been included in the tenta ve list of UNESCO world heritage sites.

Evidence of Paleolithic life is visible at Dabolim, Adkon, Shigao, Fatorpa, Arli, Maulinguinim, Diwar, Sanguem,
Pilerne, and Aquem-Margaon. Difficulty in carbon da ng the laterite rock compounds poses a problem for
determining the exact me period.[30]

Early Goan society underwent radical change when Indo-Aryan and Dravidian migrants amalgamated with the
aboriginal locals, forming the base of early Goan culture. [31]

Early history

In the 3rd century BC, Goa was part of the Maurya Empire, ruled by the Buddhist
emperor, Ashoka of Magadha.[32] Buddhist monks laid the founda on of Buddhism in Goa. Between the 2nd
century BC and the 6th century AD, Goa was ruled by the Bhojas of Goa. The Chutus of Karwar also ruled some
parts as feudatories of the Satavahanas of Kolhapur (2nd century BC to the 2nd century AD), Western
Kshatrapas (around 150 AD), the Abhiras of Western Maharashtra, Bhojas of Goa, and the Konkan Mauryas as
feudatories of the Kalachuris.[33] The rule later passed to the Chalukyas of Badami, who controlled it between
578 and 753, and later the Rashtrakutas of Malkhed from 753 to 963. From 765 to 1015, the
Southern Silharas of Konkan ruled Goa as the feudatories of the Chalukyas and the Rashtrakutas.[34] Over the
next few centuries, Goa was successively ruled by the Kadambas as the feudatories of the Chalukyas of Kalyani.
They patronised Jainism in Goa.[35]

In 1312, Goa came under the governance of the Delhi Sultanate.[36] The kingdom's grip on the region was weak,
and by 1370, it was forced to surrender it to Harihara I of the Vijayanagara Empire. The Vijayanagara monarchs
held on to the territory un l 1469, when it was appropriated by the Bahmani Sultanate. A er that dynasty
crumbled, the area fell into the hands of the Sultanate of Bijapur, who established as their auxiliary capital the
city known under the Portuguese as Velha Goa (or Old Goa).[37]
 

The Mahadev Temple, a ributed to the Kadambas of Goa, in what is today Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and
Mollem Na onal Park

Gold coins issued by the Kadamba king of Goa, Shivachi a Paramadideva, c. 1147–1187 CE

Portuguese period

The 1619 Se Cathedral at Old Goa is an example of Portuguese

architecture and is one of the largest churches in Asia.[cita on needed]

In 1510, the Portuguese defeated the ruling Bijapur sultan Yusuf Adil Shah with the help of a local ally,
Thimmayya[38] or Timoji, a privateer.[39] They set up a permanent se lement in Velha Goa (Old Goa). This was the
beginning of Portuguese colonial rule in Goa that would last for four and a half centuries, un l its annexa on by
India in 1961. The Goa Inquisi on, a formal tribunal, was established in 1560, and was finally abolished in
1812.[40] Alongside the Portuguese, the Croa an Republic of Ragusa maintained a small colonial se lement – Sao
Braz – in the Goan village of Gandaulim during this me.[41][42]

From the la er decades of the eighteenth century, the territory of Goa was composed of two segments: the
central nucleus of the Velhas Conquistas (Old Conquests)—Bardes, Ilhas de Goa, and Salce e—which territories
had been under Portuguese administra on since the sixteenth century; and the Novas Conquistas (New
Conquests)—Bicholim, Canacona, Pernem, Quepem, Sa ari, and Sanguem—territories which had been
successively added through the eighteenth century.[cita on needed]
In 1787, Goa experienced its first revolt from its Catholic elite, with the Pinto Revolt led by a Goan noble family
who revolted against the Portuguese due to racial discrimina on in administra on and clergy. They were
betrayed by a member of the revolt. The Portuguese government executed some of the family members, while
others, such as Abbe Faria, went on to join the French Revolu on. This remains legend in Goa today.

Coat of Arms of the Pintos, awarded by the King of Portugal in 1770

In 1843, the Portuguese moved the capital to the Cidade da Nova Goa (City of New Goa), today known
as Panaji (Panjim), from Velha Goa (Old Goa). By the mid-18th century, Portuguese expansions lost other
possessions in India un l their borders stabilised and formed the Goa, Daman and Diu, which
included Silvassa prior to the Annexa on, it was known as Estado da Índia in Portuguese.

Some wealthy Goan zamindars such as Baron Dempo and Viscount Deshprabhu were included in the Portuguese
nobility, and were among the richest men in Independent India due to the mineral wealth of Goa. [43][44][45]

Contemporary period

See also: Annexa on of Goa and 1967 Goa status referendum

A er India gained independence from Bri sh rule in 1947, India requested that Portuguese territories on the
Indian subcon nent be ceded to India. Portugal refused to nego ate on the sovereignty of its Indian enclaves. On
19 December 1961, the Indian Army invaded with Opera on Vijay resul ng in the annexa on of Goa,[46] and
of Daman and Diu islands into the Indian union. Goa, Daman and Diu, were organised as a single centrally
administered union territory of India.[47] On 16 January 1967 a referendum was held in Goa, to decide the future
of the Union Territory of Goa, Daman and Diu. It was the only referendum to have been held in independent
India. The referendum offered the people of Goa a choice between con nuing as a union territory or merging
with the state of Maharashtra and the majority chose the former.[48][49][50] On 30 May 1987, the union territory
was split, and Goa was made India's twenty-fi h state, with Daman and Diu remaining a union territory.[51]

Geography
 Goa coastline at Dona Paula Picture of coastline
of Vasco da Gama, Goa, taken from an aircra 's window

Goa encompasses an area of 3,702 km2 (1,429 sq mi). It lies between the la tudes 14°53′54″ N and 15°40′00″ N
and longitudes 73°40′33″ E and 74°20′13″ E.[52]

Goa is a part of the coastal country known as the Konkan, which is an escarpment rising up to the Western Ghats
range of mountains, which separate it from the Deccan Plateau. The highest point is the Sonsogor Peak, with an
al tude of 1,026 m (3,366 ). Goa has a coastline of 160 km (99 mi).[cita on needed]

Goa's seven major rivers are the Mandovi, Zuari, Terekhol, Chapora, Galgibag, Cumbarjua canal, Talpona, and
the Sal.[53] The Zuari and the Mandovi are the most important rivers, interspaced by the Cumbarjua canal,
forming a major estuarine complex.[53] These rivers are fed by the Southwest monsoon rain and their basin
covers 69% of the state's geographical area.[53] These rivers are some of the busiest in India. Goa has more than
40 estuarine, eight marine, and about 90 riverine islands. The total navigable length of Goa's rivers is 253 km
(157 mi). Goa has more than 300 ancient water tanks built during the rule of the Kadamba dynasty and over 100
medicinal springs.[cita on needed]

Mormugao Harbour, at the mouth of the Zuari River, is considered one of the best natural harbours in South
Asia.[cita on needed]

Most of Goa's soil cover is made up of laterites rich in ferric-aluminium oxides and reddish in colour. Further
inland and along the riverbanks, the soil is mostly alluvial and loamy. The soil is rich in minerals and humus, thus
conducive to agriculture. Some of the oldest rocks in the Indian subcon nent are found in Goa
between Molem and Anmod on Goa's border with Karnataka. The rocks are classified as Trondjemei c
Gneiss es mated to be 3,600 million years old, dated by rubidium isotope da ng. A specimen of the rock is
exhibited at Goa University.[cita on needed]

 Dudhsagar Falls at Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem Na onal Park

 

Dudhsagar Waterfalls in August

Train passing next to the Dudhsagar Falls

Lower half of Dudhsagar Falls

Climate

Goa features an extreme tropical monsoon climate under the Köppen climate classifica on. Being in the torrid
zone and near the Arabian Sea, the state has a hot and humid climate for most of the year. The month of May is
usually the ho est, seeing day me temperatures of over 35 °C (95 °F) coupled with high humidity due to
proximity to the sea. Due to high humidity, the feels-like temperature may reach 48 °C or 118.4 °F during
summer a ernoons, which can cause severe discomfort and excessive swea ng. Goa's three seasons
are southwest monsoon period (June–September), post-monsoon period (October–January), and pre-monsoon
period (February–May).[53] Over 90 per cent of the average annual rainfall (3,048 mm or 120 in) is received
during the monsoon season.[53]

Climate data for Goa

 Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year

Mean daily 31.6 31.5 32.0 33.0 33.0 29.5 31.6 32.8 32.4
30.3 28.9 28.8 31.3
maximum °C (88. (88. (89. (91. (91. (85. (88. (91. (90.
(86.5) (84.0) (83.8) (88.3)
(°F) 9) 7) 6) 4) 4) 1) 9) 0) 3)

26.0 26.3 27.7 29.3 30.0 26.9 27.9 27.6 26.6

Daily mean °C 27.6 26.7 26.4 27.4
(78. (79. (81. (84. (86. (80. (82. (81. (79.
(°F) (81.7) (80.1) (79.5) (81.4)
8) 3) 9) 7) 0) 4) 2) 7) 9)

Mean daily 19.6 20.5 23.2 25.6 26.3 23.8 23.8 22.3 20.6
24.7 24.1 24.0 23.2
minimum °C (67. (68. (73. (78. (79. (74. (74. (72. (69.
(76.5) (75.4) (75.2) (73.8)
(°F) 3) 9) 8) 1) 3) 8) 8) 1) 1)

112. 251. 124.

Average 0.2 0.1 1.2 11.8 868.2 994.8 512.7 30.9 16.7 2,926
7 9 8
rainfall mm (0.0 (0.0 (0.0 (0.4 (34.1 (39.1 (20.1 (1.2 (0.6 (115.2
(4.4 (9.9 (4.9
(inches) 1) 0) 5) 6) 8) 7) 9) 2) 6) )
4) 2) 1)

Average rainy
0.0 0.0 0.1 0.8 4.2 21.9 27.2 13.3 13.5 6.2 2.5 0.4 90.1
days

Mean
313. 293. 291. 288. 297. 177. 248. 273. 300. 2,834.
monthly sunsh 126.0 105.4 120.9
1 8 4 0 6 0 0 0 7 9
ine hours

Source 1: World Meteorological Organiza on[54]

Source 2: Hong Kong Observatory[55] for sunshine and mean temperatures

Flora and fauna

Main ar cle: Flora and fauna of Goa

Coconut palms are a ubiquitous sight statewide.

Equatorial forest cover in Goa stands at 1,500 km2 (579 sq mi),[23] most of which is owned by the government.
Government-owned forest is es mated at 1,300 km2 (502 sq mi) while private is given as 200 km2 (77 sq mi).
Most of the forests in the state are located in the interior eastern regions of the state. The Western Ghats, which
form most of eastern Goa, have been interna onally recognised as one of the biodiversity hotspots of the world.
In the February 1999 issue of Na onal Geographic Magazine, Goa was compared with the Amazon and the
Congo basins for its rich tropical biodiversity.[56]

Goa's wildlife sanctuaries boast of more than 1512 documented species of plants, over 275 species of birds, over
48 kinds of animals and over 60 genera of rep les.[57] Nanda Lake is the first and the only Ramsar wetland site in
Goa.[58]

Goa is also known for its coconut cul va on. The coconut tree has been reclassified by the government as a
palm (like grass), enabling farmers and real estate developers to clear land with fewer restric ons.[cita on needed]

Rice is the main food crop, and pulses (legume), Ragi (Finger Millet), and other food crops are also grown. Main
cash crops are arecanut, coconut, cashew nut, sugar cane, and fruits like banana, mango, and pineapple.[23] Goa's
state animal is the Gaur, the state bird is the Flame-throated Bulbul, and the state tree is the Indian Laurel.[cita on
needed]

Rice paddies are common in rural Goa.

The important forest products are bamboo canes, Maratha barks, chillar barks, and the bhirand. Coconut palm
trees are common throughout Goa barring the elevated regions. A variety of deciduous trees, such as teak, Sal
tree, cashew, and mango trees are present. Fruits include jackfruit, mango, pineapple, and blackberry. Goa's
forests are rich in medicinal plants.[59]

Foxes, wild boar and migratory birds are found in the jungles of Goa. The avifauna (bird species)
includes kingfisher, myna and parrot. Numerous types of fish are also caught off the coast of Goa and in its rivers.
Crab, lobster, shrimp, jellyfish, oysters, and ca ish are the basis of the marine fishery. Goa also has a high snake
popula on. Goa has many famous na onal parks, including the renowned Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary on the island
of Chorão. Other wildlife sanctuaries include the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Molem Wildlife Sanctuary, Co gao
Wildlife Sanctuary, Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary, and Mahaveer Wildlife
Sanctuary.[cita on needed]

Goa has more than 33% of its geographic area under government forests (1,224.38 km 2 or 472.74 sq mi) of
which about 62% has been brought under Protected Areas (PA) of Wildlife Sanctuaries and Na onal Park. Since
there is a substan al area under private forests and a large tract under cashew, mango, coconut, etc. planta ons,
the total forest and tree cover cons tutes 56.6% of the geographic area.[cita on needed]

Demographics
Popula on

Further informa on: Goans

Popula on growth

Year Pop. ±% p.a.

1901 475,513 —

1911 486,752 +0.23%

1921 469,494 −0.36%

1931 505,281 +0.74%

1940 540,925 +0.76%

1950 547,448 +0.12%

1960 589,997 +0.75%

1971 795,120 +2.75%

1981 1,007,749 +2.40%

1991 1,169,793 +1.50%

2001 1,347,668 +1.43%

2011 1,458,545 +0.79%

Source: [60]

A na ve of Goa is called a Goenkar (Romi Konkani), Goan. Goa has a popula on of 1.459 million residents as of
2011,[61] making it the fourth least populated state of India a er Sikkim, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh.
Popula on density of Goa is 394 per km2 which is higher than na onal average 382 per km2. Goa is the state with
highest propor on of urban popula on with 62.17% of the popula on living in urban areas. The sex ra o is 973
females to 1,000 males. The birth rate was 15.70 per 1,000 people in 2007. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled
Tribes make up 1.74% and 10.23% of the popula on respec vely. As of the 2011 census, over 76% of the
popula on was born in Goa, while just over half of migrants to the state are from the neighbouring states of
Karnataka and Maharashtra.[62] As per a 2021 report, over 50% of the permanent resident popula on is of non-
Goan origin, outnumbering the na ve ethnic Goan popula on.[63]

According to the NITI Aayog's Fiscal Health Index 2025, Goa ranks third with a score of 53.6. [64]

Languages

Further informa on: Konkani language

Languages in Goa (2011)[65][66]

1. Konkani (66.1%)

2. Marathi (10.9%)

3. Hindi (8.64%)

4. Kannada (4.65%)

5. Urdu (2.82%)

6. Others (6.92%)

The Official Language Act, 1987, of the erstwhile Union Territory of Goa, Daman and Diu makes Konkani in
the Devanagari script the sole official language of Goa, but provides that Marathi may also be used "for all or any
of the official purposes". Portuguese was the sole official language during Portuguese colonial rule, but its use
has declined dras cally since the annexa on of the territory by India. The government also has a policy of
replying in Marathi to correspondence received in Marathi.[67] There have been demands for according Konkani
in the Roman script official status in the state. There is widespread support for keeping Konkani as the sole
official language of Goa.[68]

Konkani is spoken as a first language by about 66.11% of the people in the state, but almost all Goans can speak
and understand Konkani. A large popula on of people can speak and understand English as well. Other linguis c
groups with significant popula on in the state per the 2011 census are speakers
of Marathi (10.89%), Hindi (8.64%), Kannada (4.65%) and Urdu (2.82%).[69]

Historically, Konkani was neither the official nor the administra ve language of the many rulers of the State.
Under the Kadambas (c. 960–1310), the court language was Kannada. When under Muslim rule (1312–1370 and
1469–1510), the official and cultural language was Persian. Various stones in the Archaeological Museum and
Portrait Gallery from the period are inscribed in Kannada and Persian.[70] During the period in between the two
periods of Muslim rule, the Vijayanagara Empire, which had control of the state, mandated the use
of Kannada and Telugu.[70]

Religion

Main ar cles: Hinduism in Goa and Chris anity in Goa

Religion in Goa (2011)[61]

1. Hinduism (66.1%)

2. Chris anity (25.1%)

3. Islam (8.33%)

4. Sikhism (0.10%)

5. Other or not religious (0.39%)

 Hindu–Chris an Unity Memorial at Miramar Beach

According to the 2011 census, in a popula on of 1,458,545 people, 66.1% were Hindu, 25.1% were Chris an,
8.3% were Muslim, and 0.1% were Sikh.[61] However, in September 2024, Goa Governor P.S. Sreedharan Pillai
stated that the Muslim popula on of Goa has increased from 3% to 12% while the Chris an popula on
decreased from 36% to 25%. He later clarified that his remarks referred to "brain drain" and were not intended
as a commentary on religious demographics.[71]

In 1909, the Catholic Encyclopedia documented the total Catholic popula on in Portuguese Goa as 293,628 out
of a total popula on of 365,291 (80.33%).[72] Since the 20th century, the percentage of Goan Catholics has
gradually declined caused by a combina on of permanent emigra on from Goa to cosmopolitan Indian ci es
(e.g. Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore) and foreign countries (e.g. Portugal, the United Kingdom)[73] with the mass
immigra on of non-Chris ans from the rest of India since the 20th century.[74] By 2021, ethnic Goans accounted
for less than half of the state's residents.[63]

The Catholics in Goa state and Daman and Diu union territory are served by the Metropolitan Roman Catholic
Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, the prima al see of India, in which the tular Patriarchate of the East Indies is
vested.[75]

Government and poli cs

Main ar cles: Government of Goa, 1967 Goa status referendum, and Goa Special Status

Jack de Sequeira, the father of the Goan referendum

The poli cs of Goa are a result of the uniqueness of this region due to 450 years of Portuguese rule, in
comparison to two centuries of Bri sh rule experienced by most of the rest of India. The Indian Na onal
Congress was unable to achieve electoral success in the first two decades a er the State's incorpora on into
India.[76] Instead, the state was dominated by the regional poli cal par es like Maharashtrawadi Gomantak
Party and the United Goans Party.[77]

Government

Goa Assembly

Goa has two members of parliament (MP) elected from each district represen ng the state in the Lok
Sabha (House of the People), the lower house of the na onal Parliament of India. It is also has one member of
parliament in the Rajya Sabha (Council of the States), the upper house of the Indian parliament.[cita on needed]

Goa's administra ve capital is based in Panaji, o en referred as Panjim in English, Pangim in Portuguese and
Ponjê in Konkani, the official language of the state. It lies on the le bank of the Mandovi river. The seat of
the Goa Legisla ve Assembly is in Porvorim, across the Mandovi from Panaji. The state's highest judiciary is
the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court, a branch of the Bombay High Court permanently seated at Panjim.
Unlike other states, which follow the model of personal laws framed for individual religions introduced in the
days of Bri sh Raj, the Portuguese Civil Code of Goa and Damaon, a uniform code based on the Napoleonic
Code was retained in Goa as well as the union territory of Damaon, Diu & Silvassa.[cita on needed]

Goa has a unicameral legislature, the Goa Legisla ve Assembly, of 40 members, headed by a speaker. The chief
minister heads the execu ve, which is made up of the party or coali on elected with a majority in the
legislature. The governor, the head of the state, is appointed by the president of India. A er having stable
governance for nearly thirty years up to 1990, Goa is now notorious for its poli cal instability having seen
fourteen governments in the span of the fi een years between 1990 and 2005.[78]

In March 2005, the assembly was dissolved by the Governor and President's Rule was declared, which
suspended the legislature. A by-elec on in June 2005 saw the Indian Na onal Congress coming back to power
a er winning three of the five seats that went to polls. The Congress Party and the Bhara ya Janata Party (BJP)
are the two largest par es in the state. In the assembly poll of 2007, the INC-led coali on won and formed the
government.[79] In the 2012 Vidhan Sabha Elec ons, the Bhara ya Janata Party along with the Maharashtrawadi
Gomantak Party won a clear majority, forming the new government with Manohar Parrikar as the Chief Minister.
Other par es include the United Goans Democra c Party, the Na onalist Congress Party.[80]

In the 2017 assembly elec ons, the Indian Na onal Congress gained the most seats, with the BJP coming in
second. However, no party was able to gain a majority in the 40 member house. The BJP was invited to form the
Government by Governor Mridula Sinha. The Congress claimed the use of money power to blame its struggle on
BJP and took the case to the Supreme Court. However, the Manohar Parikkar led Government was able to prove
its majority in the Supreme Court mandated "floor test".[81][82][83]

In the 2022 Goa Legisla ve Assembly Elec ons, the Na onal Democra c Alliance (NDA) won 20 seats with
support of 2 seats by MGP and 3 seats by independents while on 14 September 2022 when 8 Congress MLA
switched party and joined BJP.[cita on needed]

The current seats of NDA lies at 33 with 28 of BJP , 2 of MGP and 3 independents while the opposi on Indian
Na onal Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) with 7 seats consis ng of Congress at 3 seats AAP with 2 seats
GFP and RGP with 1 seats each.[cita on needed]

Subdivisions

District map of Goa

Main ar cle: List of districts of Goa

See also: List of ci es and towns in Goa

The state is divided into two administra ve districts—North Goa and South Goa. Each district is administered by
a District Collector, appointed by the Government of Goa.[84] These two districts are further divided into
subdivisions and talukas, headed by a Deputy Collector-cum-Sub Divisional Officer and a Mamlatdar, respec vely.
The talukas are further divided into villages, each headed by a Talathi, who is responsible for land revenue and
related ma ers.

Panaji (Panjim) is the headquarters of North Goa district and is also the capital of Goa. North Goa is further
divided into three subdivisions—Panaji, Mapusa, and Bicholim; and five talukas (subdistricts)—
Tiswadi (Panaji), Bardez (Mapusa), Pernem, Bicholim, and Sa ari (Valpoi). Margao (Madgaon) is the headquarters
of the South Goa district. It is also the cultural and commercial capital of Goa. South Goa is further divided into
five subdivisions—Ponda, Mormugao-Vasco, Margao, Quepem, and Dharbandora; and seven talukas—
Ponda, Mormugao, Salcete (Margao), Quepem, and Canacona (Chaudi), Sanguem, and Dharbandora.[cita on

needed] Goa has a total number of 334 villages.

Local government in Goa operates through a two- er system in rural areas and urban local bodies in towns and
ci es. Rural local government in Goa consists of 191 Village Panchayats and two Zilla Panchayat, while urban
areas are governed by 13 municipal councils and the Corpora on of the City of Panaji.[85][86] These local bodies
are divided into wards, with representa ves elected every five years.[87]

Local governance

Goa's major ci es are—Panaji, Margao, Vasco-Mormugao, Mapusa, Ponda, Bicholim, and Valpoi. Panaji (Panjim)
has the only Municipal Corpora on in Goa.[cita on needed] There are thirteen Municipal Councils—Margao,
Mormugao (merged with Vasco), Pernem, Mapusa, Bicholim, Sanquelim, Valpoi, Ponda, Cuncolim,
Quepem, Curchorem, Sanguem, and Canacona.[88] There are two Zilla Panchayats — South Goa and North Goa —
and 191 Gram Panchayats for rural governance.[89]

Local governance in Goa is administered through a two- er system in rural areas and a municipal system in
urban areas. Rural local bodies consist of the Zilla Panchayats at the district level and Gram Panchayats at the
village level, func oning under the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994. Urban areas are governed by municipal
councils or municipal corpora ons in accordance with the Goa Municipali es Act, 1968, and the Corpora on of
the City of Panaji Act, 2002. These ins tu ons are responsible for local administra on, civic ameni es, and
community development within their respec ve jurisdic ons.[90]

Economy

See also: Casinos in Goa

Gross state domes c product (in

millions of rupees)[91]

Year GSDP

1980 3,980

1985 6,550

1990 12,570

1995 33,190

2000 76,980

2010 150,000

Goa's state domes c product for 2017 is es mated at $11 billion at current prices. Goa is India's richest state
with the highest GDP per capita—two and a half mes that of the country—with one of its fastest growth rates:
8.23% (yearly average 1990–2000).[92] Tourism is Goa's primary industry: it gets 12%[93] of foreign tourist arrivals
in India. Goa has two main tourist seasons: winter and summer. In winter, tourists from abroad (mainly Europe)
come, and summer (which, in Goa, is the rainy season) sees tourists from across India. Goa's net state domes c
product (NSDP) was around US$7.24 billion in 2015–16.[94]

The land away from the coast is rich in minerals and ores, and mining forms the second largest industry. Iron,
bauxite, manganese, clays, limestone, and silica are mined. The Mormugao port handled 31.69 a million tonnes
of cargo in 2007, which was 39% of India's total iron ore exports. Sesa Goa (now owned by Vedanta Resources)
and Dempo are the lead miners. Rampant mining has been deple ng the forest cover as well as posing a health
hazard to the local popula on. Corpora ons are also mining illegally in some areas. During 2015–16, the total
traffic handled by Mormugao port was recorded to be 20.78 million tonnes. [cita on needed]

Vasantrao S. Dempo, aristocrat and Industrialist, one of Goa's wealthiest mining

barons

Agriculture, while of shrinking importance to the economy over the past four decades, offers part- me
employment to a sizeable por on of the populace. Rice is the main agricultural crop, followed by areca, cashew,
and coconut. Fishing employs about 40,000 people, though recent official figures indicate a decline in the
importance of this sector and also a fall in the catch, due perhaps, to tradi onal fishing giving way to large-scale
mechanised trawling.[cita on needed]

Medium-scale industries include the manufacturing of pes cides, fer lizers, res, tubes, footwear, chemicals,
pharmaceu cals, wheat products, steel rolling, fruits and fish canning, cashew nuts, tex les, brewery
products.[cita on needed]

Currently, there are 16 planned SEZs in Goa. The Goa government has recently decided to not allow any
more Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Goa a er strong opposi on to them by poli cal par es and the Goa
Catholic Church.[95]

Goa is also notable for its low-priced beer, wine, and spirits prices due to its very low excise duty on alcohol.
Another main source of cash inflow to the state is remi ance, from many of its ci zens who work abroad, to
their families. It is said to have some of the largest bank savings in the country. [cita on needed]

In 1976, Goa became the first state in India to legalise some types of gambling. This enabled the state to levy
taxes on gambling, strengthening the economy. Manohar Parrikar granted permanent licences to casinos in
2014.[96][97] There are several casinos available in Goa. From 2018 to 2019, tax revenue from casinos
reached ₹4.14 billion (equivalent to ₹5.1 billion or US$61 million in 2023).[98]

Goa is the second state in India to achieve a 100 per cent automa c telephone system with a solid network of
telephone exchanges. As of September 2017, Goa had a total installed power genera on capacity of 547.88 MW.
Goa is also one of the few states in India to achieve 100 per cent rural electrifica on.[99]

Train carrying iron ore to Marmagao Port, Vasco

Commercial area in Panaji

Tourism

See also: Tourism in Goa

Indian and foreign tourists at beaches in Goa. Ships can be seen in the background in the top image, while hills
can be seen in the background in the center image and Bogmalo beach near Goa airport in the bo om image.

Tourism is generally focused on the coastal areas of Goa, with lower tourist ac vity inland. In 2010, there were
more than 2 million tourists reported to have visited Goa, about 1.2 million of whom were from abroad. [100] As
of 2013, Goa was a des na on of choice for Indian and foreign tourists, par cularly Britons who wanted to
vaca on outside their countries. The state was hopeful that changes could be made which would a ract a more
upscale demographic.[101]

Goa stands 6th in the Top 10 Nightlife ci es in the world in Na onal Geographic Travel.[102] One of the biggest
tourist a rac ons in Goa is water sports. Beaches like Baga and Calangute offer jet-skiing, parasailing, banana
boat rides, water scooter rides, and more. Patnem beach in Palolem stood third in CNN Travel's Top 20 Beaches
in Asia.[103]

Over 450 years of Portuguese rule and the influence of the Portuguese culture presents to visitors to Goa a
cultural environment that is not found elsewhere in India. Goa is o en described as a fusion between Eastern
and Western culture with Portuguese culture having a dominant posi on in the state be it in its architectural,
cultural or social se ngs. The state of Goa is famous for its excellent beaches, churches, and temples. [104]

Historic sites and neighbourhoods

Goa has one World Heritage Site: the Bom Jesus Basilica[105] with churches and convents of Old Goa. The basilica
holds the mortal remains of Saint Francis Xavier, regarded by many Catholics as the patron saint of Goa (the
patron of the Archdiocese of Goa is actually Saint Joseph Vaz). These are both Portuguese-era monuments and
reflect a strong European character. The relics are taken down for venera on and for public viewing (exposi on),
per the preroga ve of the Church in Goa. The first exposi on was held in 1782 nearly 230 years a er the death
of St. Francis Xavier. The second exposi on was held 77 years a er the first exposi on. A er the Libera on of
Goa, the exposi ons were held every 10 years between December and January.[106] The last exposi on was held
in 2024.[107]

Our Lady of Immaculate Concep on Church in Panaji

Tourist Arrivals[108]

Year Total Arrivals % Change

1985 775,212

1990 881,323 13.3

1995 1,107,705 23.7

2000 1,268,513 13.8

2005 2,302,146 66.3

2010 2,644,805 13.9

2015 5,297,902 76.4

The Velhas Conquistas regions are known for Goa-Portuguese style architecture. There are many forts in Goa
such as Tiracol, Chapora, Corjuem, Aguada, Reis Magos, Nanus, Mormugao, Fort Gaspar Dias and Cabo de
Rama.[109]

In many parts of Goa, mansions constructed in the Indo-Portuguese style architecture s ll stand, though, in some
villages, most of them are in a dilapidated condi on. Fontainhas in Panaji has been declared a cultural quarter,
showcasing the life, architecture and culture of Goa. Influences from the Portuguese era are visible in some of
Goa's temples, notably the Shanta Durga Temple, the Mangueshi Temple, the Shri Damodar Temple and
the Mahalasa Temple. A er 1961, many of these were demolished and reconstructed in the indigenous Indian
style.[110]

Museums and science centre

Goa has three important museums: the Goa State Museum, the Naval Avia on Museum and the Na onal
Ins tute of Oceanography. The avia on museum is one of three in India (the others are in Delhi and Bangalore).
The Goa Science Centre is in Miramar, Panaji.[111] The Na onal Ins tute of Oceanography, India (NIO) is in Dona
Paula.[112] Museum of Goa is a privately owned contemporary art gallery in Pilerne Industrial Estate,
near Calangute.[113]

Beaches
 Map of North Goan coastline

Most of the beauty of Goa is present on the beaches. The coastline of about 103 kilometres (64 mi) has some of
the most a rac ve beaches flanked by the Arabian Sea. The beaches of Goa are counted among the most
beau ful in the world.[114][non-primary source needed] Some of the beaches include Anjuna Beach, Baga beach, Bambolim
Beach, Calangute Beach, Candolim Beach, Colva Beach, and Miramar [Link] has around 54 beaches
minimum by a tourist website, however including small minor beaches could take the count to 100+. [115]

Culture

Main ar cle: Culture of Goa

Having been a Portuguese colony for over 450 years, Goan culture is an amalgama on of
both Eastern and Western styles, with the la er having a more dominant role. The tableau of Goa showcases
religious harmony by focusing on the Deepastambha, the Chris an cross, and Ghode Modni followed by a
chariot. European royal a re of kings is as much part of Goa's cultural heritage as are regional dances performed
depic ng a unique blend of different religions and cultures of this State. Prominent local fes vals
are Christmas, Easter, Carnival, Diwali, Shigmo, Chavoth, Samvatsar Padvo, Dasara etc. The Goan Carnival and
Christmas-new year celebra ons a ract many tourists.[cita on needed]

The Gomant Vibhushan, the highest civilian honour of the state of Goa, is given annually by the Government of
Goa since 2010.[116][117]

Dance and music

Main ar cle: Music of Goa

Tradi onal Goan art forms are Dekhnni, Fugdi, Corridinho, Mando, Dulpod and Fado.[118]

Goan Hindus are very fond of Natak, Bhajan and Kirtan.[cita on needed] Many famous Indian classical singers hail
from Goa, including Mogubai Kurdikar, Kishori Amonkar, Kesarbai Kerkar, Jitendra Abhisheki and Pandit
Prabhakar Karekar.[cita on needed]

Other famous Goan singers and musicians are Lorna Cordeiro (Nigh ngale of Goa),[119] Chris Perry and Alfred
Rose (Melody King of Goa).[120]

Theatre

See also: Goan literature

Natak, Tiatr (most popular) and Zagor are the chief forms of Goa's tradi onal performance arts. Other forms are
Ranmale, Dashavatari, Kalo, Goulankala, Lalit, Kala and Rathkala.[cita on needed] Stories from the Ramayana and
the Mahabharata along with more modern social subjects are narrated with song and dance. [121][122]

Jagor, the tradi onal folk dance–drama, is performed by the Hindu Kunbi and Chris an Gauda communi es of
Goa, to seek the Divine Grace for protec on and prosperity of the crop. The literal meaning of Jagor is "jagran",
or wakeful nights. The strong belief is that the night-long performance awakens the dei es once a year and they
con nue to remain awake throughout the year guarding the village. [cita on needed]

Perni Jagor is the ancient mask dance–drama of Goa, performed by Perni families, using well cra ed and painted
wooden masks, depic ng various animals, birds, supernatural power, dei es, demons, and social
characters.[cita on needed]

Gauda Jagor is an impression of social life that displays all the exis ng moods and modes of human characters. It
is predominantly based on three main characters, Gharasher, Nikhandar, and Parpa , wearing shining dresses
and headgear. The performance is accompanied by vibrant tunes of Goan folk instruments
like Nagara/Dobe, Ghumat, Mhadalem, and Kansallem.[cita on needed]

In some places, Jagor performances are held with the par cipa on of both Hindus and the Chris an community,
whereby characters are played by Hindus and musical support is provided by Chris an ar stes.[123]

Tiatr (Teatro) and its ar sts play a major role in keeping the Konkani language and music alive. Tiatrs are
conducted solely in the Roman script of Konkani as it is primarily a Chris an community-based act. They are
played in scenes with music at regular intervals, the scenes are portrayals of daily life and are known to depict
social and cultural scenarios. Tiatrs are regularly held especially on weekends mainly at Kala Academy, Panaji, Pai
Tiatrist Hall at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao and most recent shows have also started at the new Ravindra Bhavan,
Baina, Vasco. Western Musical Instruments such as Drums, Bass, Keyboards, and Trumpets are part of the show
and most of them are played acous cally.[cita on needed] It is one of Goa's few art forms that is renowned across the
world with performances popular among Goans in the Middle-East, Americas and Europe. [cita on needed]

Konkani cinema
 India Goa Film Fes val

Konkani cinema is an Indian film industry, where films are made in the Konkani language, which is spoken mainly
in the Indian states of Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka and to a smaller extent in Kerala. Konkani films have
been produced in Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Kerala.[124]

The first full-length Konkani film was Mogacho Anvddo, released on 24 April 1950, and was produced and
directed by A. [Link] Braganza, a na ve of Mapusa, under the banner of ETICA Pictures.[125][126] Hence, 24 April is
celebrated as Konkani Film Day.[127] Since 2004, star ng from the 35th edi on, the Interna onal Film Fes val of
India moved its permanent venue to Goa, it is annually held in the months of November and
December.[128] Konkani film Paltadcho manis has been included in the world's best films of 2009 list.[129]

Konkani films are eligible for the Na onal Film Award for Best Feature Film in Konkani. The most commercially
successful Konkani film, as of June 2011, is O Maria directed by Rajendra Talak.[130] In 2012, the whole new
change was adopted in Konkani Cinema by introducing Digital Theatrical Film The Vic m directed by Milroy
Goes.[131] Some old Konkani films are Sukhachem Sopon, Amchem Noxib, Nirmonn, Mhoji Ghorkarn, Kortubancho
Sonvsar, Jivit Amchem Oxem, Mog ani Moipas, Bhuierantlo
Munis, Suzanne, Boglan , Padri and Bhogsonne. Ujwadu is a 2011 Konkani film directed by Kasargod Chinna and
produced by KJ Dhananjaya and Anuradha Padiyar.[cita on needed]

Goan Film Movement

The Gen-Z Goan Film Movement, also known as the Goan New Wave, is a youth-driven development in Goan
cinema that began in late 2024 and expanded rapidly through 2025. It is characterised by a rise in independently
produced short films and documentaries by Goan filmmakers under the age of 25, several of which received
interna onal fes val recogni on.

The movement gained early visibility a er the environmental short film The Awakening by filmmaker Rameez
Shaikh won the South Asian Regional Award at the Don Bosco Global Youth Film Fes val on 18 October
2024.[132] The film was subsequently screened at the WAVES Interna onal Short Film Fes val in January 2025 and
at the Urban Adda Film Fes val in June 2025.[133]

A significant boost to documentary filmmaking within the movement came from Prachi Shirodkar and Mario
Pimenta, whose film Bhaangar Kalakusar Karigiri won Best Documentary at the Miseentage Indian Film Fes val
on 22 August 2025, followed by selec ons at NanoCon in the United States and at Jackson Doc Fest in
Tennessee.[134]
During the same period, Pimenta’s environmental short Act To Achieve received its first interna onal screening in
the United Kingdom and was later selected for the Egyp an American Film Fes val in New York. His experimental
horror short RAW was screened at the Willlachen Comedy & Sa re Filmprize in Vienna.[135]

The movement expanded as other youth filmmakers a racted interna onal a en on. The environmental
documentary Naturally Selected, created by Valanka, Shaurya, Aniza and Anaya with support from Fundação
Oriente, was included in the line-up of the Footprint Film Fes val on 31 October 2025.[136]

By late 2025, Goan Gen-Z filmmakers had collec vely achieved more than ten interna onal fes val selec ons
across documentary, environmental, social awareness and experimental genres. The movement is credited with
expanding the global visibility of Goan and Konkani cinema through low-budget produc on methods, mobile-
phone filmmaking and emerging youth-led crea ve networks.

Food

Main ar cle: Goan cuisine

Goan prawn curry, a popular dish throughout the state

Pork vindaloo is a popular Goan curry dish in the state and around the world.
 

Chamuças, Goan samosas

Tradi onal Goan fish curry

Rice with fish curry (xit koddi in Konkani) is the staple diet in Goa. Goan cuisine is famous for its rich variety of
fish dishes cooked with elaborate recipes. Coconut and coconut oil are widely used in Goan cooking along
with chili peppers, spices, and vinegar, used in the Catholic cuisine, giving the food a unique flavor. Goan cuisine
is heavily influenced by Portuguese cuisine.[cita on needed]

Goan food may be divided into Goan Catholic and Goan Hindu cuisine with each showing very dis nct tastes,
characteris cs, and cooking styles. Pork dishes such as Vindalho, Xacu , chouriço, and Sorpotel are cooked for
major occasions among the Goan Catholics. A mixed vegetable stew, known as Khatkhate, is a very popular dish
during the celebra ons of fes vals, Hindu and Chris an alike. Khatkhate contains at least five vegetables, fresh
coconut, and special Goan spices that add to the aroma.[cita on needed] Sannas, Hi , are local rice cakes
and Polle, Amboli, and Kailoleo are rice pancakes; all are na ve to Goa. A rich egg-based, mul -layered baked
sweet known as bebinca is tradi onal at Christmas.[cita on needed]

Stone chocolate is a type of handcra ed dark chocolate associated with Goan cuisine. It is made using tradi onal
techniques and o en incorporates local ingredients, including spices that reflect the region's culinary heritage.
The chocolate is known for its smooth texture and rich flavor, influenced by Goa's tropical climate and unique
cultural blend.

The most popular alcoholic beverage in Goa is feni. Cashew feni is made from the double dis lla on of the
fermented fruit juice of the cashew tree, while coconut feni is made from the double dis lla on of the
fermented sap of toddy palms. Urrak is another local liquor prepared from the single dis lla on of the
fermented cashew fruit juice. In fact the bar culture is one of the unique aspects of the Goan villages where a
local bar serves as a mee ng point for villagers to unwind.[137] Goa also has a rich wine culture due to Portuguese
rule.[138][139]

Architecture

The House of the Seven Gables in Margao

Velha Goa Galeria, in Panaji

The architecture of Goa is a combina on of na ve Goan, O oman and Portuguese styles. Since the Portuguese
ruled and governed for four centuries, many churches and houses bear a striking element of the Portuguese style
of architecture. Goan Hindu houses do not show any Portuguese influence, though the modern temple
architecture is an amalgam of original Goan temple style with Dravidian, Hemadpan , Islamic, and Portuguese
architecture.[140] The original Goan temple architecture fell into disuse as the temples were demolished by the
Portuguese and the Sthapa known as Thavayi in Konkani were converted to Chris anity though the wooden
work and the Kavi murals can s ll be seen.[141]

Transporta on

Air

Goa Interna onal Airport, Dabolim

Goa is served by two interna onal Airports. Goa Interna onal Airport, is a civil enclave at INS Hansa, a Naval
airfield[142] located at Dabolim, near Vasco da Gama while the Manohar Interna onal Airport is located in the
North at Mopa.[143] Within five months of its incep on, Mopa airport began handling 30 per cent of all air traffic
of Goa.[144] The airports cater to scheduled domes c and interna onal air services, with the new airport having
started interna onal opera ons from March 2023.[145] Goa has scheduled interna onal connec ons
to Doha, Dubai, Muscat, Sharjah and Kuwait in the Middle East by airlines like Air Arabia, Air
India, GoAir, IndiGo, Oman Air, SpiceJet and Qatar Airways.

Road

Most of Goa is well connected by roads.

Government-run Kadamba buses at a bus sta on in Goa

Goa's public transport largely consists of privately operated buses linking the major towns to rural areas.
Government-run buses, maintained by the Kadamba Transport Corpora on, link major routes (like the Panaji–
Margao route) and some remote parts of the state. The Corpora on owns 15 bus stands, 4 depots and one
Central workshop at Porvorim and a Head Office at Porvorim.[146] In large towns such as Panaji and Margao, intra-
city buses operate. However, public transport in Goa is less developed, and residents depend heavily on their
own transporta on, usually motorised two-wheelers and small family cars.[cita on needed]

Motorcycle taxi, or pilot

Goa has four Na onal Highways passing through it. NH-66 (ex NH-17) runs along India's west coast and links Goa
to Mumbai in the north and Mangalore to the south. NH-4A running across the state connects the capital Panaji
to Belgaum in east, linking Goa to ci es in the Deccan. The NH-366 (ex NH-17A) connects NH-66
to Mormugao Port from Cortalim. The new NH-566 (ex NH-17B) is a four-lane highway connec ng Mormugao
Port to NH-66 at Verna via Dabolim Airport, primarily built to ease pressure on the NH-366 for traffic to Dabolim
Airport and Vasco da Gama. NH-768 (ex NH-4A) links Panaji and Ponda to Belgaum and NH-4. Goa has a total of
224 km (139 mi) of na onal highways, 232 km (144 mi) of state highway and 815 kilometres (506 miles) of
district highway. Na onal Highways in Goa are among the narrowest in the country and will remain so for the
foreseeable future, as the state government has received an exemp on that allows narrow na onal highways. In
Kerala, highways are 45 metres (148 feet) wide. In other states Na onal Highways are grade separated highways
60 metres (200 feet) wide with a minimum of four lanes, as well as 6 or 8 lane access-controlled
expressways.[147][148]

Hired forms of transport include unmetered taxis and, in urban areas, auto rickshaws. Another form of
transporta on in Goa is the motorcycle taxi, operated by drivers who are locally called "pilots". These vehicles
transport a single pillion rider, at fares that are usually nego ated. Other than buses, "pilots" tend to be the
cheapest mode of transport.[149] River crossings in Goa are serviced by flat-bo omed ferry boats, operated by the
river naviga on department.[cita on needed]

Goa will get two new expressways in the coming years, which will connect the state and will enhance
connec vity and commute with the rest of the country. They are as follows:

 Nagpur–Goa Expressway: Proposed, to be completed by 2028/29.[150][151]

 Konkan Expressway: Proposed.[152]

Rail

Margao railway sta on

Goa has two rail lines – one run by the South Western Railway and the other by the Konkan Railway. The line run
by the South Western Railway was built during the colonial era linking the port town of Vasco da Gama,
Goa with Belgaum, Hubli, Karnataka via Margao. The Konkan Railway line, which was built during the 1990s, runs
parallel to the coast connec ng major ci es on the western coast.[cita on needed]

Metro

In 2018, a metro rail was planned by the NITI Aayog, linking the capital city of Panaji. In the future, it would be
extended from South Goa ll the coastal city of Karwar in Karnataka, close to the Kanataka-Goa border.[153]

Skybus Metro
 Skybus Metro car at a sta on

Indian scien st B. Rajaram started the ambi ous Skybus Metro project under the Konkan Railway Corpora on in
partnership with Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML). Like the Wuppertal Schwebebahn in Germany, the scheme
proposed an elevated, suspended railway layout where vehicles would swing from above lines. The objec ve was
to minimise urban conges on by offering a quick and effec ve urban transporta on alterna ve.

Despite its promise, the project encountered some obstacles, like as safety issues a er a 2004 test run disaster.
The idea ul mately faced shelving despite its early promise and crea ve approach to urban transporta on.

Although the Skybus did not succeed, the idea demonstrated India's desire to inves gate other forms
of transporta on, and Indian Railways was granted a patent for the system.

Sea

The Mormugao Port Trust near the city of Vasco handles mineral ore, petroleum, coal, and interna onal
containers. Much of the shipments consist of minerals and ores from Goa's hinterland. Panaji, which is on the
banks of the Mandovi, has a minor port, which used to handle passengers steamers between Goa and Mumbai
ll the late 1980s. There was also a short-lived catamaran service linking Mumbai and Panaji operated by
Damania Shipping in the 1990s.[cita on needed]

Educa on

Main ar cle: Educa on in Goa

See also: List of ins tu ons of higher educa on in Goa

Goa University
 

Carmel College for Women, established more than 50 years ago to address the educa on gender gap, is affiliated
to Goa University.

Goa Medical College, previously called Escola Médico–Cirúrgica de Goa

Goa had India's earliest educa onal ins tu ons built with European support. The Portuguese set up seminaries
for religious educa on and parish schools for elementary educa on. Founded c. 1542 by Saint Francis
Xavier, Saint Paul's College, Goa was a Jesuit school in Old Goa, which later became a college. St Paul's was once
the main Jesuit ins tu on in Asia. It housed the first prin ng press in India and published the first books in
1556.[154][155][156]

Medical educa on began in 1801 with the offering of regular medical courses at the Royal and Military Hospital
in the old City of Goa. Built-in 1842 as the Escola Médico-Cirúrgica de (Nova) Goa (Medical-Surgical School of
Goa), Goa Medical College is one of Asia's oldest medical colleges and has one of the oldest medical libraries
(since 1845).[157] It houses the largest hospital in Goa and con nues to provide medical training to this day.[cita on
needed]

According to the 2011 census, Goa has a literacy rate of 87%, with 90% of males and 84% of females being
literate.[158] Each taluka is made up of villages, each having a school run by the government. Private schools are
preferred over government-run schools. All schools come under the Goa Board of Secondary and Higher
Secondary Educa on, whose syllabus is prescribed by the state educa on department. There are also a few
schools that subscribe to the all-India ICSE syllabus or the NIOS syllabus. Most students in Goa complete their
high school with English as the medium of instruc on. Most primary schools, however, use Konkani and Marathi
(in private, but government-aided schools). As is the case in most of India, enrolment for vernacular media has
seen a fall in numbers in favour of English medium educa on. Per a report published in The Times of India, 84%
of Goan primary schools were run without an administra ve head.[159]

Some notable schools in Goa include Sharada Mandir School in Miramar, Loyola High School in Margao and The
King's School in São José de Areal. A er ten years of schooling, students join a Higher Secondary school, which
offers courses in popular streams such as Science, Arts, Law, and Commerce. A student may also opt for a course
in voca onal studies. Addi onally, they may join three-year diploma courses. Two years of college is followed by
a professional degree programme. Goa University, the sole university in Goa, is located in Taleigão and most
Goan colleges are affiliated with it.[cita on needed]

There are six engineering colleges in the state. Goa Engineering College and Na onal Ins tute of Technology
Goa are government-funded colleges whereas the private engineering colleges include Don Bosco College of
Engineering at Fatorda, Shree Rayeshwar Ins tute of Engineering and Informa on Technology at Shiroda, Agnel
Ins tute of Technology, and Design (AITD), Assagao, Bardez and Padre Conceicao College of Engineering at Verna.
In 2004, BITS Pilani one of the premier ins tutes in India, inaugurated its second campus, the BITS Pilani Goa
Campus, at Zuarinagar near Dabolim. The Indian Ins tute of Technology Goa (IIT Goa) began func oning from its
temporary campus, located in Goa Engineering College since 2016. The site for permanent campus was finalised
in Cotarli, Sanguem.[160]

There are colleges offering pharmacy, architecture and den stry along with numerous private colleges
offering law, arts, commerce and science. There are also two Na onal Oceanographic Science related centres:
the Na onal Centre for Antarc c and Ocean Research in Vasco da Gama and the Na onal Ins tute of
Oceanography in Dona Paula.[cita on needed] Goa Ins tute of Management located at Sanquelim, near Panaji is one
of India's premier business schools.[cita on needed] In addi on to the engineering colleges, there are government
polytechnic ins tu ons in Panaji, Bicholim and Curchorem, and aided ins tu ons like Father Agnel Polytechnic in
Verna and the Ins tute of Shipbuilding Technology in Vasco da Gama which impart technical and voca onal
training.[161]

Other colleges in Goa include Shri Damodar College of Commerce and Economics, V.V.M's R.M. Salgaocar Higher
Secondary School in Margao, G.V.M's S.N.J.A higher secondary school, Don Bosco College, D.M.'s College of Arts,
Science and Commerce, St Xavier's College, Carmel College, The Parva bai Chowgule College, Dhempe College,
Damodar College, M. E. S. College of Arts & Commerce, S. S. Sami 's Higher Secondary School of Science and
Rosary College of Commerce & Arts. As the result of renewed interest in the Portuguese language and culture,
Portuguese at all levels of instruc on is offered in many schools in Goa, largely private ones. In some cases, Goan
students do student exchange programs in Portugal[cita on needed]

Media and communica on

Main ar cle: Media in Goa

Historically, the media in Goa grew in the late 1800s before being clamped down on during the rule of António
de Oliveira Salazar. The first prin ng press in Goa was founded in 1556.[162] In 1886, Tipografia Rangel, one of the
pioneers in widescale publishing was founded.[163] Prior to this the only exis ng presses were those of the
government and individual family presses exis ng to print the poli cal newspapers such as O Ultramar.
Tipografia Rangel was among the leaders in providing print media to a larger sec on of society in Goa.[164]
 Jaime Valfredo Rangel, Director of Tipografia Rangel

Goa is served by almost all television channels available in India. Channels are received through cable in most
parts of Goa. In the interior regions, channels are received via satellite dishes. Doordarshan, the na onal
television broadcaster, has two free terrestrial channels on air.[165]

DTH (Direct To Home) TV services are available from Dish TV, Videocon D2H, Tata Sky and DD Direct Plus. The All
India Radio is the only radio channel in the state that broadcasts on both FM and AM bands. Two AM channels
are broadcast, the primary channel at 1287 kHz and the Vividh Bhara channel at 1539 kHz. AIR's FM channel is
called FM Rainbow and is broadcast at 105.4 MHz. A number of private FM radio channels are available, Big
FM at 92.7 and Radio Indigo at 91.9 MHz. There is also an educa onal radio channel, Gyan Vani, run
by IGNOU broadcast from Panaji at 107.8 MHz. In 2006, St Xavier's College, Mapusa, became the first college in
the state to launch a campus community radio sta on "Voice of Xavier's".[166]

Major cellular service operators include Bhar Airtel, Vodafone Essar, Idea Cellular (merged with Vodafone in
2018), Telenor, Reliance Infocomm, Tata DoCoMo, BSNL CellOne and Jio.[cita on needed]

Local publica ons include the English language O Heraldo (Goa's oldest, once a Portuguese language paper), The
Gomantak Times and The Navhind Times. In addi on to these, The Times of India and The Indian Express are also
received from Mumbai and Bangalore in the urban areas. The Times of India has recently started publica on
from Goa itself, serving the local popula on news directly from the state capital. Among the list of officially
accredited newspapers are O Heraldo, The Navhind Times and The Gomantak Times in English; Bhaangar
Bhuin in Konkani (Devanagari script); and Tarun Bharat, Gomantak, Navprabha, Goa Times, Sanatan
Prabhat, Govadoot and Lokmat (all in Marathi). All are dailies. Other publica ons in the state include Planet
Goa (English, monthly), Goa Today (English, monthly), Goan Observer (English, weekly), Vauraddeancho
Ix (Roman-script Konkani, weekly) Goa Messenger, Vasco Watch, Gulab (Konkani, monthly), Bimb (Devanagari-
script Konkani).[167]

One electronic mailing list that is based in Goa is Goanet.[168][169][be er source needed]
Sports

Further informa on: Goans in sports

Fatorda Stadium

Associa on football is the most popular sport in Goa and is embedded in Goan culture as a result of the
Portuguese influence.[170] Its origins in the state are traced back to 1883 when the visi ng Irish priest Fr. William
Robert Lyons established the sport as part of a "Chris an educa on".[170][171] On 22 December 1959,
the Associação de Futebol de Goa was formed, which con nues to administer the game in the state under the
new name Goa Football Associa on.[170] Goa, along with West Bengal, Kerala and Northeast India[170] is the locus
of football in India and is home to many football clubs in the na onal I-League. The state's football powerhouses
include Salgaocar, Dempo, Churchill Brothers, Vasco, Spor ng Clube de Goa and FC Goa. The first Unity World
Cup was held in Goa in 2014. The state's main football stadium, Fatorda Stadium, is located at Margao and also
hosts cricket matches.[172] The state hosted few matches of the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup and several matches of
the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Fatorda Stadium.[173][174]

A number of Goans have represented India in football and six of them, namely Samir Naik, Climax
Lawrence, Brahmanand Sankhwalkar, Bruno Cou nho, Mauricio Afonso and Roberto Fernandes have all
captained the na onal team. Goa has its own state football team and league, the Goa Professional League. It is
probably the only state in India where cricket is not considered the most important of all sports. Goan's are avid
football fans, par cularly of the football teams from Portugal (Benfica, Spor ng), and Brazil especially during
major football events such as the European Cup and the World Cup championships. The Portuguese
footballer Ronaldo and Brazilian Neymar, are revered superstar football players in Goa.[cita on needed]

Goa also has its own cricket team. Dilip Sardesai and Shikha Pandey remain the only Goans to date to play
interna onal cricket for India.[175] Another Goan cricketer, Suyash Prabhudessai was selected by the Royal
Challengers Bangalore for a base price of ₹20 lakh in IPL 2021 and for ₹30 lakh in IPL 2022.[176][177]

India (Goa) is a member of the Lusofonia Games which are hosted every four years in one of the Portuguese
CPLP member countries, with 733 athletes from 11 countries. Most of the countries compe ng are countries
that are members of the CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries), but some are countries with
significant Portuguese communi es or have a history with Portugal. This event is similar in concept to the
Commonwealth Games (for members of the Commonwealth of Na ons) and the Jeux de la Francophonie (for
the Francophone community).[cita on needed]

Notable people

Main ar cle: List of people from Goa

Organised crime

This sec on is an excerpt from Organised crime in India § Organised crime in Goa.[edit]

Several local Indian, Russian, Israeli and Nigerian criminal groups are reported to be heavily involved in the
organised drug trade in Goa, one of the smallest states of India. Sources reveal that there are also individual
players who are Bri sh, French, Italian, Portuguese, and of other European na onali es. Some have been visi ng
the state for over two decades and have their fixed interna onal and local clientele.[178] Goa has, in recent days,
become a principal hub of the interna onal drug trade apart from being a key point of consump on. According
to es mates, drugs flowing out of different foreign loca ons lands on the compara vely unguarded Goan
coastline as Mumbai and its hinterland are no longer considered an easy route for trafficking since checks by
the Coastguard, Navy, Customs, and other government bodies began.[17