View source for Goa

{{Short description|State in Western India}}
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{{Use Indian English|date=April 2026}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2026}}
{{Infobox Indian state or territory
| name = Goa
| official_name = State of Goa
| type = State
| image_skyline = {{multiple image
| border                   = infobox
| total_width              = 300
| image_style              =
| perrow                   = 1/2/2/2/1
| image1 = BeachFun.jpg 
| caption1 = A beach in [[South Goa]]
| image2 = DoodhSagar Waterfalls.jpg
| caption2 = [[Dudhsagar Falls]]
| image3 = Mangueshi Temple Goa.jpg
| caption3 = [[Mangueshi Temple]]
| image4 = Gallery de Fontainhas.jpg
| caption4 = [[Fontainhas (quarter)|Gallery de Fontainhas]]
| image5 =
| caption5 = [[Corjuem Fort]]
| image6 = Ponda,Safa Masjid.jpg
| caption6 = [[Safa Mosque, Goa|Safa Mosque]]
| image7 = Basilica of bom jesus - Front View.jpg
| caption7 = [[Basilica of Bom Jesus]]}}
| image_seal = Emblem of Goa.svg{{!}}class=skin-invert
| nickname = "Pearl of the Orient"
| motto = Sarve Bhadrāṇi Paśyantu Mā Kaścid Duḥkhamāpnuyāt ([[Sanskrit]])<br/>"May everyone see goodness, may none suffer any pain"{{force singular}}
| image_map = File:IN-GA.svg
| coordinates = {{coord|15.50|N|73.83|E|type:adm1st_region:IN-GA|display=inline,title}}
| region = West India
| before_was = [[Goa, Daman and Diu]]
| formation_date = 19 December 1961
| formation_date3 = formation
| formation_date4 = 30 May 1987
| capital = Panaji
| largestcity = Vasco da Gama, Goa
| districts = [[List of districts of Goa|3]]
| Governor = [[Ashok Gajapathi Raju]]
| Chief_Minister = [[Pramod Sawant]]
| party = [[BJP]]
| legislature_type = Unicameral
| assembly = [[Goa Legislative Assembly]]
| assembly_seats = 40 seats
| rajya_sabha_seats = 1 seat
| lok_sabha_seats = 2 seats
| judiciary = [[Bombay High Court]]
| area_footnotes = <ref>{{cite journal |last1=Nadaf |first1=F M |title=Geographical Diagnosis of Goa's Tourism beyond Sun and Sand|journal=Online International Interdisciplinary Research Journal |date=April 2019 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/334710163}}</ref>
| area_total_km2 = 3,702
| area_rank = 28th
| elevation_max_m = 1,026
| elevation_max_point = [[Sonsogor]]
| elevation_min_m = 0
| elevation_min_point = [[Arabian Sea]]
| population_footnotes = <ref>{{cite book | url=https://ruralindiaonline.org/en/library/resource/population-projections-for-india-and-states-2011-2036/ | title=Population Projections for India and States, 2011–2036 | date=July 2020 | access-date=25 March 2023 | archive-date=13 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313055356/https://ruralindiaonline.org/en/library/resource/population-projections-for-india-and-states-2011-2036/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
| population_total = {{IncreaseNeutral}} 1,591,000
| population_as_of = 2025
| population_rank = 28th
| population_urban = 77.89%
| population_rural = 22.11%
| population_density = 380
| population_demonym = ''Goenkar'', [[Goan]]
| 0fficial_Langs = [[Konkani language|Konkani]]<ref>{{cite web |title=The Goa, Daman and Diu Official Language Act, 1987 |url=https://www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/6809/1/official_language_act.pdf |access-date=12 November 2022 |website=indiacode.nic.in }}</ref>
| additional_official = [[Marathi language|Marathi]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Languages of Goa |url=https://dip.goa.gov.in/languages-of-goa/ |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231202646/https://dip.goa.gov.in/languages-of-goa/ |archive-date=31 December 2023 |website=Department of Information and Publicity}}</ref> and [[English language|English]]<ref>{{cite web |title=The Goa, Daman and Diu Official Language Act, 1987 (Act No. 5 of 1987) [14-4-1987] |url=https://www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/7081/1/ocrol.pdf |website=Secretary to the Government of Goa, Daman and Diu |access-date=6 July 2024}}</ref>
| official_script = [[Devanagari script]]
| GDP_footnotes = <ref name="PRSIndia">{{cite web|url=https://prsindia.org/budgets/states/goa-budget-analysis-2025-26|title=Goa BudgetAnalysis 2025-26|date=15 March 2021|accessdate=28 March 2021}}</ref>
| GDP_total = {{decrease}} $15.00 billion (nominal)<br/>{{decrease}} $63.47 billion (PPP)<ref name="auto">{{cite web |title=Goa Budget 2026–27 |url=https://www.goabudget.gov.in/index.html |publisher=Government of Goa |year=2026 |access-date=4 April 2026}}</ref>
| GDP_year = 2026–2027
| GDP_rank = 23rd
| GDP_per_capita = {{decrease}} $9,416 (nominal)<br/>{{decrease}} $39,843 (PPP)
| GDP_per_capita_rank = 2nd
| HDI = {{Increase}} 0.862 {{color|green|Very High}}<ref>{{cite web |title=India: Subnational HDI |url=https://globaldatalab.org/shdi/table/shdi/IND/ |website=Global Data Labs |access-date=17 March 2026}}</ref>
| HDI_year = 2023
| HDI_rank = 1st
| literacy = 99.7%<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shetye |first1=Murari |date=31 May 2025 |title=Centre declares Goa 100% literate, becomes fourth to achieve status |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/centre-declares-goa-100-literate-becomes-fourth-to-achieve-status/articleshow/121525082.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=17 July 2025}}</ref>
| literacy_year = 2025
| literacy_rank = 2nd
| sex_ratio = 986[[female|♀]]/1000 [[male|♂]]
| sexratio_year = 2025
| sexratio_rank = 5th
| iso_code = IN-GA
| registration_plate = GA
| website = https://goa.gov.in
| foundation_day = Goa Day
| mammal = [[Gaur]]
| bird = [[Flame-throated bulbul]]
| flower = [[Jasmine]]
| tree = [[Terminalia elliptica|Matti Terminalia crenulata]]
| fruit = [[Cashew]]
}}

[[File:Talukas of Goa.png|thumb|Taluka map of Goa]]

'''Goa''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|g|oʊ|.|ə}} {{respell|GOH|ə}};<ref>{{Cite OED|Goa|access-date=30 September 2024}}</ref> {{IPA|kok|ɡɔ̃j|lang}}; {{IPA|pt|ˈɡoɐ|lang|Goa.ogg}}) is a [[States and union territories of India|state]] on the [[Malabar Coast|southwestern coast]] of India within the [[Konkan]] region. It is geographically separated from the [[Deccan Plateau|Deccan highlands]] by the [[Western Ghats]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Goa - state, India |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Goa |website=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=29 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cFZ_BAAAQBAJ&q=google+book+Hindu-Catholic+encounters+in+Goa+:+religion,+colonialism,+and+modernity+karnataka&pg=PA5|title=Hindu-Catholic Encounters in Goa: Religion, Colonialism, and Modernity|last=Henn|first=Alexander|date=2014 |publisher=Indiana University Press|isbn=9780253013002|location=Bloomington, Ind.|pages=1|oclc=890531126 |access-date=15 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190215160118/https://books.google.com/books?id=cFZ_BAAAQBAJ&pg=PA5&lpg=PA5&dq=google+book+Hindu-Catholic+encounters+in+Goa+:+religion,+colonialism,+and+modernity+karnataka&source=bl&ots=BLS4SQqRFv&sig=ACfU3U15ylxdpquFrc3aItJzKOJZiT1ztg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi-9OLXwL3gAhWRiHAKHWBtCrQQ6AEwC3oECAQQAQ#v=snippet&q=karnataka&f=false|archive-date=15 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> 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 was the capital of the [[Estado da Índia|eastern Portuguese empire]] until 1961. It is India's smallest state by area and [[List of states and territories of India by population|fourth-smallest by population]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Which are the Largest and Smallest States in India in Terms of Area? |url=https://www.mapsofindia.com/answers/states/which-are-the-largest-and-smallest-states-in-india-in-terms-of-area/ |website=Answers |date=1 September 2020 |access-date=23 March 2025}}</ref> [[Panaji]] (''Panjim'') is the state's capital, while [[Vasco da Gama, Goa|Vasco da Gama]] is its largest city by population.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://iiosc2020.incois.gov.in/IIOSC2020/AboutGoa.jsp|title=International Indian Ocean Science Conference(IIOSC)-2022|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20190921073406/https://iiosc2020.incois.gov.in/IIOSC2020/AboutGoa.jsp|archive-date=21 September 2019}}</ref> The state's official language is [[Konkani language|Konkani]], spoken by the majority of its inhabitants.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Puzzle wrapped in an enigma, understanding Konkani in Goa |url=https://goanet.goanet.narkive.com/H1jxktcU/reader-puzzle-wrapped-in-an-enigma-understanding-konkani-in-goa |access-date=25 August 2025 |website=narkive.com}}</ref>

The [[Portuguese culture|Portuguese]], who [[Portuguese discovery of the sea route to India|first voyaged to the subcontinent]] in the early 16th century as merchants, [[Portuguese conquest of Goa|conquered it]] on request of [[Timoji]] shortly thereafter. Goa became an [[List of states of the Portuguese Empire|overseas territory of the Portuguese Empire]] and part of what was then known as [[Portuguese India]], remaining under Portuguese rule for approximately 451 years until its [[Annexation of Goa|annexation by India]] in December 1961.<ref>{{cite web |title=Goa's Liberation |url=https://www.mha.gov.in/en/division_of_mha/GoaLiberation |website=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India |access-date=17 July 2025|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251115182227/https://www.mha.gov.in/en/division_of_mha/GoaLiberation|archive-date=15 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1960s/Goa01.html |title=The Liberation of Goa: an Overview |access-date=17 July 2007 |last=Pillarisetti |first=Jagan |work=The Liberation of Goa:1961 |publisher=bharat-rakshak.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070809202539/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1960s/Goa01.html |archive-date=9 August 2007}}</ref> The ancient [[City of Goa]] (now Old Goa) considered one of the greatest cities of Asia in the 16th century is now nothing but a few scattered churches and convents amidst ruins. The historic cities of [[Margão]] and [[Panjim]] still reflect the cultural legacy of [[Portugal]].

Goa is one of India’s most developed small states and has the [[List of Indian states and union territories by GDP per capita|second-highest GDP per capita]] among all Indian states,<ref name="MOSPI">{{cite web|url=http://mospi.nic.in/sites/default/files/press_releases_statements/State_wise_SDP_15_03_2021.xls|title=MOSPI State Domestic Product, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India|date=15 March 2021|accessdate=28 March 2021|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20210415164725/http://mospi.nic.in/sites/default/files/press_releases_statements/State_wise_SDP_15_03_2021.xls|archive-date=15 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Courts in federal countries : federalists or unitarists?|publisher=University of Toronto Press|author1=Kincaid, John|author1-link=John Kincaid (political scientist)|author2=Aroney, Nicholas|year=2017|isbn=9781487514662|location=Toronto|pages=225|chapter=The Supreme Court of India|oclc=982378193}}</ref> more than twice the national average GDP per capita.<ref name="report" /> The [[Eleventh Finance Commission]] of India named Goa the best-placed state in terms of infrastructure, while India's [[National Commission on Population]] ranked it as having the highest quality of life in the country.<ref name="report">{{cite book|author=India Finance Commission|title=Reports of the finance commissions of India: First Finance Commission to the Twelfth Finance Commission: the complete report|publisher=Academic Foundation |location=New Delhi|year=2005|page=268|isbn=978-81-7188-474-2}}</ref> It ranks [[List of Indian states and territories by Human Development Index|highest among Indian states]] in the [[Human Development Index]].<ref name="GlobalDataLab">{{Cite web|url=https://ceda.ashoka.edu.in/hdi-how-states-fare-in-human-development/|title=HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab|website=hdi.globaldatalab.org|date=17 May 2025 |access-date=2 October 2022}}</ref> Goa has a robust tourism sector. It has biodiversity, lying near the [[Western Ghats]], a [[biodiversity hotspot]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/south-goa-vs-north-goa-what-you-should-know/articleshow/77565379.cms|title=South Goa vs North Goa: What You Should Know |website=[[The Times of India]] }}</ref>

== Etymology ==
After the [[Bahmani]]-[[Sultanate of Bijapur|Bijapur]]i [[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 contiguous territories.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |last=Subrahmanyam |first=Sanjay |title=Albuquerque, Afonso de |encyclopedia=Encyclopaedia Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Afonso-de-Albuquerque |access-date=13 April 2026}}</ref>

The origin of the city name ''Goa'' is unclear. In ancient [[literature]], Goa was known by many names, such as ''Gomanchala'', ''[[Gopakapattana]]'', ''Gopakapattam'', ''Gopakapuri'', ''Govapuri'', ''Govem'', and ''Gomantak''.<ref name="nic1">{{cite web|url=http://www.india.gov.in/knowindia/st_goa.php |title=Goa |publisher=[[National Informatics Centre]](NIC) |access-date=4 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081218193633/http://india.gov.in/knowindia/st_goa.php |archive-date=18 December 2008}}</ref> Other historical names for Goa are ''Sindapur'', ''Sandabur'', and ''Mahassapatam''.<ref name="sakname">{{cite book|last1=Sakshena|first1=R.N.|title=Goa: Into the Mainstream|page=5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7kUE7TV3ZWEC&pg=PA5|isbn=9788170170051|date=June 2003|publisher=Abhinav Publications |access-date=9 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021094358/https://books.google.com/books?id=7kUE7TV3ZWEC&pg=PA5|archive-date=21 October 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

== History ==
{{Main|History of Goa}}

{{For timeline|Timeline of Goan history}}

===Prehistory===
[[File:Usgalimal.PNG|left|thumb|[[Usgalimal rock engravings]]]]

Rock art engravings found in Goa are one of the earliest known traces of human life in India.<ref>{{cite book|title=Purātattva, Issue 36|publisher=Indian Archaeological Society|year=2006|pages=254}}</ref> Goa, situated within the Shimoga-Goa Greenstone Belt in the [[Western Ghats]] (an area composed of [[Metavolcanic rock|metavolcanics]], iron formations, and ferruginous quartzite), yields evidence for [[Acheulean]] occupation.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The evolution and history of human populations in South Asia: inter-disciplinary studies in archaeology, biological anthropology, linguistics and genetics|date=2007|publisher=Springer |author1=Petraglia, M. D.|author2=Allchin, Bridget|isbn=9781402055621 |location=Dordrecht, the Netherlands |pages=85|oclc=187951478}}</ref> [[Rock art]] engravings (petroglyphs) are present on laterite platforms and granite boulders in [[Usgalimal rock engravings|Usgalimal]], near the west-flowing [[Kushavathi Reservoir|Kushavati river]], and in Kajur.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Indian rock art and its global context |last1=Chakravarty|first1=Kalyan Kumar|date=1997|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publishers|last2=Bednarik |first2=Robert G.|author3=Indirā Gāndhī Rāshṭrīya Mānava Saṅgrahālaya|isbn=9788120814646|edition=1st |location=Delhi|pages=34|oclc=38936967}}</ref> In Kajur, the rock engravings of animals, tectiforms, 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.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Indian rock art and its global context |last1=Chakravarty|first1=Kalyan Kumar|date=1997 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publishers|last2=Bednarik |first2=Robert G.|author3=Indirā Gāndhī Rāshṭrīya Mānava Saṅgrahālaya|isbn=9788120814646|edition=1st |location=Delhi|pages=70|oclc=38936967}}</ref> [[Petroglyph]]s, cones, stone-axe, and choppers dating to 10,000 years ago have been found in various locations in Goa, including Kazur, Mauxim, and the [[Mandovi]]-[[Zuari]] basin.<ref name=axe>{{cite book|author1=C. R. Srinivasan |author2=K. V. Ramesh |author3=S. Subramonia Iyer |title=Śrī puṣpāñjali: Recent Researches in Prehistory, Protohistory, Art, Architecture, Numismatics, Iconography, and Epigraphy: Dr. C.R. Srinivasan commemoration volume, Volume 1|year=2004 |publisher=Bharatiya Kala Prakashan|isbn= 9788180900563|pages=469 pages (see page4)}}</ref> Recently, these petroglyphs have been included in the tentative [[List of World Heritage Sites in India|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 dating]] the laterite rock compounds poses a problem for determining the exact time period.<ref name="NIO">{{cite web|last=Sakhardande|first=Prajal |title=7th National Conference on Marine Archaeology of Indian Ocean Countries: Session V |url=http://www.nio.org/index.php?option=com_eventdisplay&task=view&tid=4&eid=32|work=Heritage and history of Goa|publisher=NIO Goa|access-date=30 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724025433/http://www.nio.org/index.php?option=com_eventdisplay&task=view&tid=4&eid=32|archive-date=24 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Early Goan society underwent radical change when [[Indo-Aryan peoples|Indo-Aryan]] and [[Dravidian people|Dravidian]] migrants amalgamated with the aboriginal locals, forming the base of early Goan culture.<ref name=dhume2>{{cite book|last=Dhume|first=Anant Ramkrishna|title=The cultural history of Goa from 10000 BC – 1352 AD|year=1986|publisher=Ramesh Anant S. Dhume|pages=355 pages (see pages 100–150)}}</ref>

===Early history===
In the 3rd century BC, Goa was part of the [[Maurya Empire]], ruled by the Buddhist emperor, [[Ashoka]] of [[Magadha]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dip.goa.gov.in/history-of-goa/|title=HISTORY OF GOA – Department of Information and Publicity}}</ref> Buddhist monks laid the foundation of [[Buddhism]] in Goa. Between the 2nd century BC and the 6th century AD, Goa was ruled by the [[Bhojas of Goa]]. The [[Chutu]]s of [[Karwar]] also ruled some parts as [[feudatories]] of the [[Satavahana]]s of [[Kolhapur]] (2nd century BC to the 2nd century AD), [[Western Kshatrapas]] (around 150 AD), the [[Abhira tribe|Abhira]]s of Western Maharashtra, [[Bhojas of Goa]], and the [[Mauryas of Puri|Konkan Mauryas]] as feudatories of the [[Kalachuris of Mahishmati|Kalachuri]]s.<ref>{{harvnb|de Souza|1990|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=dwYDPnEjTb4C&dq=bhojas+goa&pg=PA9 9]}}</ref> The rule later passed to the Chalukyas of [[Badami]], who controlled it between 578 and 753, and later the [[Rashtrakuta]]s of [[Malkhed]] from 753 to 963. From 765 to 1015, the Southern [[Silhara]]s of [[Konkan]] ruled Goa as the feudatories of the [[Chalukyas]] and the [[Rashtrakutas]].<ref>{{harvnb|de Souza|1990|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=dwYDPnEjTb4C&dq=bhojas+goa&pg=PA10 10]}}</ref> Over the next few centuries, Goa was successively ruled by the [[Kadambas of Goa|Kadambas]] as the feudatories of the [[Chalukyas of Kalyani]]. They patronised [[Jainism in Goa]].<ref>{{harvnb|de Souza|1990|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=dwYDPnEjTb4C&dq=bhojas+goa&pg=PA11 11]}}</ref>

In 1312, Goa came under the governance of the [[Delhi Sultanate]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 April 2023 |title=Ruling Dynasties |url=https://panjim.org/ruling-dynasties/ |access-date=23 March 2025 |website=Goa through Maps |language=en-US}}</ref> 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 dynasty|Vijayanagara]] monarchs held on to the territory until 1469, when it was appropriated by the [[Bahmani Sultanate]]. After 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).<ref>{{cite book|last=Dobbie|first=Aline |title=India: The Elephant's Blessing|year=2006 |publisher=Melrose Press|page=220}}</ref>
<gallery mode="packed" heights="134">
Mahadev Temple, Tambdi Surla (12th century).jpg|The [[Mahadev Temple, Tambdi Surla|Mahadev Temple]], attributed to the [[Kadambas of Goa]], in what is today [[Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park]]
Kadamba.PNG|Gold coins issued by the Kadamba king of Goa, Shivachitta Paramadideva, {{Circa}} 1147–1187 CE
</gallery>

===Portuguese period===
[[File:Se’ Cathedral, Goa.jpg|left|thumb|The 1619 [[Se Cathedral]] at [[Old Goa]] is an example of Portuguese architecture and is one of the largest churches in Asia.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}]]

In 1510, the Portuguese defeated the ruling [[Bijapur]] sultan [[Yusuf Adil Shah]] with the help of a local ally, Thimmayya<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Shastri |first=B. S. |year=1978 |title=Some Aspects of the First Conquest of Goa by the Portuguese |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44139374 |journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress |volume=39 |pages=385–392 |jstor=44139374 |issn=2249-1937}}</ref> or [[Timoji]], a [[privateer]].<ref>{{cite book|title=[[Conquerors: How Portugal Forged the First Global Empire]]|author=[[Roger Crowley]]|pages=262–264|publisher=Random House|date=1 December 2015|isbn=978-0-571-29090-1}}</ref> They set up a permanent settlement in ''[[Velha Goa]]'' (Old Goa). This was the beginning of [[Portuguese India|Portuguese colonial rule]] in Goa that would last for four and a half centuries, until its [[Annexation of Goa|annexation by India in 1961]]. The [[Goa Inquisition]], a formal tribunal, was established in 1560, and was finally abolished in 1812.<ref name="Priolkar1961">{{cite book|author=Anant Kakba Priolkar|title=The Goa Inquisition: Being a Quatercentenary Commemoration Study of the Inquisition in India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=toz9yHz5XikC|year=1961 |publisher=Bombay University Press|page=3}}</ref> Alongside the Portuguese, the Croatian [[Republic of Ragusa]] maintained a small colonial settlement – [[Colonial India#Croatia|Sao Braz]] – in the Goan village of [[Gandaulim]] during this time.<ref name=":12">{{Cite news |last=Fernandes |first=Paul |date=15 November 2021 |title=Croatian documentary team’s visit stirs up Gandaulim’s historic past |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/croatian-documentary-teams-visit-stirs-up-gandaulims-historic-past/articleshow/87705040.cms |access-date=19 January 2026 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Tomas |first=Lora |date=19 May 2014 |title=Distant liaisons |url=https://www.himalmag.com/distant-liaisons/ |access-date=20 September 2021 |website=[[Himal Southasian]] |language=en-GB}}</ref>

From the latter 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 [[Salcete taluka|Salcette]]—which territories had been under Portuguese administration since the sixteenth century; and the ''[[Novas Conquistas]]'' (New Conquests)—[[Bicholim]], [[Canacona]], [[Pernem]], [[Quepem]], [[Sattari taluka|Sattari]], and Sanguem—territories which had been successively added through the eighteenth century.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

In 1787, Goa experienced its first revolt from its [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] elite, with the [[Pinto Revolt]] led by a Goan noble family who revolted against the Portuguese due to racial discrimination in administration 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 Revolution]]. This remains legend in Goa today.

[[File:Pinto Arms.jpg|thumb|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 until their borders stabilised and formed the [[Goa, Daman and Diu]], which included [[Silvassa]] prior to the Annexation, it was known as ''Estado da Índia'' in [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]].

Some wealthy Goan [[zamindars]] such as [[Dempo|Baron Dempo]] and [[Pernem|Viscount Deshprabhu]] were included in the [[List of peers and fidalgos in Portuguese India|Portuguese nobility]], and were among the richest men in Independent India due to the mineral wealth of Goa.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/the-palace-of-pernem/articleshow/43020381.cms | title=The palace of Pernem | work=The Times of India | date=21 September 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dempos.com/kalpavriksha-family/ | title=Kalpavriksha Family | date=14 October 2000 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/economy/story/19781231-new-breed-of-millionaires-in-goa-in-the-offing-823236-2014-03-11 | title=New breed of millionaires in Goa in the offing | date=11 March 2014 }}</ref>

===Contemporary period===
{{See also|Annexation of Goa|1967 Goa status referendum}}
After [[Indian independence movement|India gained independence]] from [[British Raj|British rule]] in 1947, India requested that Portuguese territories on the Indian subcontinent be ceded to India. Portugal refused to negotiate on the sovereignty of its Indian enclaves. On 19 December 1961, the Indian Army invaded with [[1961 Indian annexation of Goa|Operation Vijay]] resulting in the [[annexation of Goa]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 December 2017 |title=The day India freed Goa from Portuguese rule |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-42390008 |access-date=23 March 2025 |language=en-GB}}</ref> 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.<ref name="bbc">{{cite news |title=The day India freed Goa |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-42390008 |access-date=1 September 2019 |date=19 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190910190732/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-42390008 |archive-date=10 September 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 16 January 1967 a [[1967 Goa status referendum|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 continuing as a [[union territory]] or merging with the state of [[Maharashtra]] and the majority chose the former.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/what-is-goas-opinion-poll-day-asmitai-dis-5543720/ |title=What is Goa's 'Opinion Poll Day'? |newspaper=The Indian Express|access-date=30 April 2021}}</ref><ref name="tgf_Valmiki_Wams">{{cite web|url=http://www.colaco.net/1/ValmikiMonumentalShame.htm|title=What a Monumental Shame !|last=Faleiro|first=Valmiki|publisher=The Goan Forum|access-date=16 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070303095040/http://www.colaco.net/1/ValmikiMonumentalShame.htm|archive-date=3 March 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="goanews_opinion">{{cite web|url=http://www.goanews.com/opinion.htm |title=The Historic Opinion Poll |last=Prabhudesai |first=Sandesh |pages=1 |access-date=12 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720140727/http://www.goanews.com/opinion.htm |archive-date=20 July 2008 }}</ref> On 30 May 1987, the union territory was split, and Goa was made India's twenty-fifth state, with Daman and Diu remaining a union territory.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=peOqBgAAQBAJ&q=Goa+was+made+India's+twenty-fifth+state&pg=PA454|title=Historical Companion to Postcolonial Literatures - Continental Europe and its Empires|last=Poddar|first=Prem|date=2 July 2008|publisher=Edinburgh University Press|isbn=9780748630271|language=en}}</ref>

== Geography ==
[[File:Donna Paula, Goa.jpg|thumb|upright|Goa coastline at [[Dona Paula]]]]
[[File:Picture of GOA taken from an air craft's window.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Picture of coastline of [[Vasco da Gama, Goa]], taken from an aircraft's window]]

Goa encompasses an area of {{convert|3702|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}}. It lies between the latitudes 14°53′54″ N and 15°40′00″ N and longitudes 73°40′33″ E and 74°20′13″ E.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Gaonkar |first1=Gangesh |last2=Desai |first2=Karishma |last3=Rodrigues |first3=Queency |last4=Sangaonkar |first4=Tosha Sinai |last5=Sail |first5=Swaroopa |last6=Fernandes |first6=Glancia |date=February 2017 |title=G.I.S. for Urban Planning |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/314101976 |journal=International Journal of Engineering Research in Mechanical and Civil Engineering |issn=2456-1290}}</ref>

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 altitude of {{convert|1026|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}. Goa has a coastline of {{convert|160|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

Goa's seven major rivers are the [[Mandovi]], [[Zuari]], [[Terekhol River|Terekhol]], [[Chapora River|Chapora]], Galgibag, Cumbarjua canal, Talpona, and the [[Sal River (India)|Sal]].<ref name="Hiremath">{{Cite book|title=Recent advances in environmental science|last=Hiremath|first=K. G.|publisher=Discovery Pub. House|year=2003|isbn=9788171416790|pages=401|oclc=56390521}}</ref> The [[Zuari River|Zuari]] and the [[Mandovi River|Mandovi]] are the most important rivers, interspaced by the Cumbarjua canal, forming a major estuarine complex.<ref name="Hiremath" /> These rivers are fed by the Southwest monsoon rain and their basin covers 69% of the state's geographical area.<ref name="Hiremath" /> 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 {{convert|253|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}. Goa has more than 300 ancient water tanks built during the rule of the Kadamba dynasty and over 100 medicinal springs.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

Mormugao Harbour, at the mouth of the [[Zuari River]], is considered one of the best natural harbours in South Asia.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

Most of Goa's soil cover is made up of [[laterite]]s rich in ferric-aluminium oxides and reddish in colour. Further inland and along the riverbanks, the soil is mostly [[alluvial]] and [[loam]]y. The soil is rich in minerals and humus, thus conducive to agriculture. Some of the oldest rocks in the Indian subcontinent are found in Goa between [[Molem]] and [[Anmod]] on Goa's border with [[Karnataka]]. The rocks are classified as [[Gneiss|Trondjemeitic Gneiss]] estimated to be 3,600 million years old, dated by [[Rubidium–strontium dating|rubidium isotope dating]]. A specimen of the rock is exhibited at [[Goa University]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}
<gallery mode="packed" caption="[[Dudhsagar Falls]] at [[Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park]]" heights="150">
Doodhsagar Waterfalls.jpg|Dudhsagar Waterfalls in August
Dudhsagar Falls Triplet.jpg|Train passing next to the Dudhsagar Falls
Dudhsagar Falls triplet, 2009.JPG|Lower half of Dudhsagar Falls
</gallery>

=== Climate ===
Goa features an extreme [[tropical monsoon climate]] under the [[Köppen climate classification]]. 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 hottest, seeing daytime temperatures of over {{convert|35|°C|°F|0|abbr=on}} coupled with high humidity due to proximity to the sea. Due to high humidity, the feels-like temperature may reach {{convert|48|°C|1|disp=or}} during summer afternoons, which can cause severe discomfort and excessive sweating. Goa's three seasons are [[southwest monsoon]] period (June–September), post-monsoon period (October–January), and pre-monsoon period (February–May).<ref name="Hiremath" /> Over 90 per cent of the average annual rainfall ({{convert|120|in|mm|0|order=flip|disp=or|abbr=on}}) is received during the monsoon season.<ref name="Hiremath" />

{{Weather box
|location = Goa
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|Jan high C = 31.6
|Feb high C = 31.5
|Mar high C = 32.0
|Apr high C = 33.0
|May high C = 33.0
|Jun high C = 30.3
|Jul high C = 28.9
|Aug high C = 28.8
|Sep high C = 29.5
|Oct high C = 31.6
|Nov high C = 32.8
|Dec high C = 32.4
|Jan mean C = 26.0
|Feb mean C = 26.3
|Mar mean C = 27.7
|Apr mean C = 29.3
|May mean C = 30.0
|Jun mean C = 27.6
|Jul mean C = 26.7
|Aug mean C = 26.4
|Sep mean C = 26.9
|Oct mean C = 27.9
|Nov mean C = 27.6
|Dec mean C = 26.6
|Jan low C = 19.6
|Feb low C = 20.5
|Mar low C = 23.2
|Apr low C = 25.6
|May low C = 26.3
|Jun low C = 24.7
|Jul low C = 24.1
|Aug low C = 24.0
|Sep low C = 23.8
|Oct low C = 23.8
|Nov low C = 22.3
|Dec low C = 20.6
|rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm = 0.2
|Feb rain mm = 0.1
|Mar rain mm = 1.2
|Apr rain mm = 11.8
|May rain mm = 112.7
|Jun rain mm = 868.2
|Jul rain mm = 994.8
|Aug rain mm = 512.7
|Sep rain mm = 251.9
|Oct rain mm = 124.8
|Nov rain mm = 30.9
|Dec rain mm = 16.7
|year rain mm = 2926
|Jan rain days = 0.0
|Feb rain days = 0.0
|Mar rain days = 0.1
|Apr rain days = 0.8
|May rain days = 4.2
|Jun rain days = 21.9
|Jul rain days = 27.2
|Aug rain days = 13.3
|Sep rain days = 13.5
|Oct rain days = 6.2
|Nov rain days = 2.5
|Dec rain days = 0.4
|year rain days = 90.1
|Jan sun = 313.1
|Feb sun = 293.8
|Mar sun = 291.4
|Apr sun = 288.0
|May sun = 297.6
|Jun sun = 126.0
|Jul sun = 105.4
|Aug sun = 120.9
|Sep sun = 177.0
|Oct sun = 248.0
|Nov sun = 273.0
|Dec sun = 300.7
|year sun = 
|source 1 = ''[[World Meteorological Organization]]''<ref>{{cite web
 |url          = http://www.worldweather.org/066/c00528.htm
 |title        = Weather Information for Goa
 |access-date   = 24 July 2012
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20120702052414/http://www.worldweather.org/066/c00528.htm
 |archive-date = 2 July 2012
|url-status     = live
}}</ref>

|source 2 = ''[[Hong Kong Observatory]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.weather.gov.hk/wxinfo/climat/world/eng/asia/india/goa_e.htm |title=Climatological Information for Goa, India |publisher=Hong Kong Observatory |date=15 August 2011 |access-date=16 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120084100/http://www.weather.gov.hk/wxinfo/climat/world/eng/asia/india/goa_e.htm |archive-date=20 January 2012 }}</ref> for sunshine and mean temperatures
}}

=== Flora and fauna ===
{{Main|Flora and fauna of Goa}}

[[File:GOA Colva Beach - panoramio.jpg|alt=Coconut Palm Tree|thumb|[[Coconut|Coconut palms]] are a ubiquitous sight statewide.]]
[[Equatorial forest]] cover in Goa stands at {{convert|1500|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}},<ref name="nic1" /> most of which is owned by the government. Government-owned forest is estimated at {{convert|1300|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}} while private is given as {{convert|200|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}}. 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 internationally recognised as one of the biodiversity hotspots of the world. In the February 1999 issue of ''National Geographic Magazine'', Goa was compared with the Amazon and the Congo basins for its rich tropical biodiversity.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Siqueira |first=Evelyn |title=International Day of Forests 2022: Can you guess the 4 categories of forests in Goa? |url=https://www.gomantaktimes.com/my-goa/art-culture/international-day-of-forests-2022-can-you-guess-the-4-categories-of-forests-in-goa |access-date=11 December 2022 |website=Gomantak Times |date=21 March 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

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 reptiles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goahub.com/wildlife-sanctuaries-in-goa/index.html |title=Wildlife Sanctuaries in Goa |access-date=18 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720010519/http://www.goahub.com/wildlife-sanctuaries-in-goa/index.html |archive-date=20 July 2008 }}</ref> [[Nanda Lake]] is the first and the only Ramsar wetland site in Goa.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/nanda-lake-in-curchorem-is-states-first-ramsar-site/articleshow/93332412.cms |title=Nanda lake in Curchorem is Goa's first Ramsar site|access-date=6 September 2022}}</ref>

Goa is also known for its coconut cultivation. 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 restrictions.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

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]], [[sugarcane]], and fruits like [[banana]], [[mango]], and [[pineapple]].<ref name="nic1" /> Goa's state animal is the ''[[gaur]]'', the state bird is the [[flame-throated bulbul]], and the state tree is the [[Terminalia elliptica|Indian laurel]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

[[File:Goa Fields.JPG|thumb|left|[[Paddy field|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.<ref>{{cite web |title=State Medicinal Plants Board - Goa |url=https://forest.goa.gov.in/state-medicinal-plants-board-goa |website=Forest Department, Government of Goa}}</ref>

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]], [[Oyster|oysters]], and [[catfish]] are the basis of the marine fishery. Goa also has a high snake population. Goa has many famous national parks, including the renowned [[Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary]] on the island of [[Chorão (island)|Chorão]]. Other wildlife sanctuaries include the [[Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary]], [[Molem Wildlife Sanctuary]], [[Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary]], [[Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary]], [[Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary]], and [[Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

Goa has more than 33% of its geographic area under government forests ({{Convert|1224.38|km2|abbr=on|disp=or}}) of which about 62% has been brought under Protected Areas (PA) of Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Park. Since there is a substantial area under private forests and a large tract under cashew, mango, coconut, etc. plantations, the total forest and tree cover constitutes 56.6% of the geographic area.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

== Demographics ==

=== Population ===
{{Further|Goans}}

{{Historical populations|state=
|title= Population growth
|percentages=pagr
|source = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Table A-2 Decadal Variation in Population since 1901: Goa |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/43363/download/47062/30%20A-2%20Goa.pdf |website=censusindia.gov.in |publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]}}</ref>
|1901| 475513
|1911| 486752
|1921| 469494
|1931| 505281
|1940| 540925
|1950| 547448
|1960| 589997
|1971| 795120
|1981| 1007749
|1991| 1169793
|2001| 1347668
|2011| 1458545
|align-fn=center
}}
A native of Goa is called a [[Goan]] (''Goenkar'' in [[Romi Konkani]]). Goa has a population of 1.459&nbsp;million residents as of 2011,<ref name="THReligion">{{cite news
 |url              = http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/religious-communities-census-2011-what-the-numbers-say/article7582284.ece
 |title            = India's religions by numbers
 |date             = 29 March 2016
|publication-date = 26 August 2015
|work             = [[The Hindu]]
 |access-date      = 6 September 2017
|archive-url      = https://web.archive.org/web/20160110201326/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/religious-communities-census-2011-what-the-numbers-say/article7582284.ece
 |archive-date     = 10 January 2016
|url-status         = live
}}</ref> making it the fourth least populated state of India after [[Sikkim]], [[Mizoram]], and [[Arunachal Pradesh]]. Population density of Goa is 394 per km<sup>2</sup> which is higher than national average 382 per km<sup>2</sup>. Goa is the state with highest proportion of urban population with 62.17% of the population living in urban areas. The [[human sex ratio|sex ratio]] 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 population respectively. As of the 2011 census, over 76% of the population was born in Goa, while just over half of migrants to the state are from the neighbouring states of [[Karnataka]] and [[Maharashtra]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Table D-01 Population classified by place of birth and sex: Goa |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10682/download/13794/DS-3000-D01-MDDS.XLSX |website=censusindia.gov.in |publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]}}</ref> As per a 2021 report, over 50% of the permanent resident population is of non-Goan origin, outnumbering the native ethnic Goan population.<ref name="Menezes">{{cite news |first=Vivek |last=Menezes |title=Who belongs to Goa? This question resurfaces as the State battles the raging pandemic |url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/who-belongs-to-goa-this-question-resurfaces-as-the-state-battles-the-raging-pandemic/article34554870.ece |date=15 May 2021 |work=[[The Hindu]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602213112/https://www.thehindu.com/society/who-belongs-to-goa-this-question-resurfaces-as-the-state-battles-the-raging-pandemic/article34554870.ece |archive-date=2 June 2021 |access-date=30 July 2023 |quote=Goans today represent less than 50% of the permanent population, and the pandemic has greatly accelerated this imbalance}}</ref>

According to the NITI Aayog's Fiscal Health Index 2025, Goa ranks third with a score of 53.6.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gupta |first=Cherry |date=28 January 2025 |title=India's top 10 best-performing states in the Fiscal Health Index 2025 |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/trending/top-10-listing/indias-top-10-best-performing-states-in-the-fiscal-health-index-2025-9801341/ |work=The Indian Express |access-date=17 February 2025}}</ref>

===Filipino community===
{{main|Filipinos in India}}
As of 2022, Goa has about 200 [[Filipinos]], primarily women who settled after marrying Goans who had worked abroad. They formed the [[Indian Filipinos|Fil-Goan]] community, with Marissa A. D’Souza serving as its first president.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 June 2022 |title=SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL – 28 June 2022 {{!}} O Heraldo |url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/cafe/small-is-beautiful/25229/ |access-date=14 February 2026 |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Russian community===
{{main|Russians in India}}
Goa attracts a significant number of Russian visitors. In 2013, approximately 103 Russians were settled in the state. They are primarily based in [[North Goa]], particularly in the coastal town of [[Morjim]], which is also known as "Little Russia" due to the sizeable Russian community residing there and operating local businesses.<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 December 2011 |title=Meet the latest colonizers |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/meet-the-latest-colonizers/articleshow/11162491.cms |access-date=15 February 2026 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref name=":0" />

The first Russian arrivals in Goa were reported around the year 2000. According to media sources, approximately 300,000 to 400,000 Russian tourists travel to Goa annually. This number has reportedly declined following the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] and the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anand |first=Aditya |date=5 April 2022 |title=Russians in Goa, down to a trickle, still swing to the beat |url=https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/russians-in-goa-down-to-a-trickle-still-swing-to-the-beat |access-date=15 February 2026 |website=National Herald |language=en}}</ref>

Some reports have also linked Russian nationals to drug-related activities.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 July 2015 |title=Russians, Israelis involved in illegal activities in Goa, Centre takes note |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/russians-israelis-involved-in-illegal-activities-in-goa-centre-takes-note/articleshow/48063115.cms# |access-date=15 February 2026 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> In 2025, the Morjim panchayat raised concerns regarding Russian-language public signages installed in the town.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Kulkarni |first=Dhaval S. |date=14 May 2025 |title=Why a verdant Goa village is resisting Russian signages |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/why-a-verdant-goa-village-is-resisting-russian-signages-2724637-2025-05-14 |access-date=15 February 2026 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>

=== Languages ===
{{Further|Konkani language}}

{{Pie chart
| thumb = left
| caption = Languages in Goa (2011)<ref>{{cite web |title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue - Goa |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10202/download/13314/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-3000.XLSX |website=census.gov.in |access-date=4 January 2026}}</ref><ref name="census2011-langreport">{{cite web |title=Language – India, States and Union Territories |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011Census/C-16_25062018_NEW.pdf |work=Census of India 2011 |publisher=Office of the Registrar General |pages=13–14 |access-date=1 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114073412/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011Census/C-16_25062018_NEW.pdf |archive-date=14 November 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref>
| label1 = [[Konkani language|Konkani]]
| value1 = 66.09
| color1 = salmon
| label2 = [[Marathi language|Marathi]]
| value2 = 10.88
| color2 = red
| label3 = [[Hindi]]
| value3 = 8.64
| color3 = orange
| label4 = [[Kannada]]
| value4 = 4.65
| color4 = darkslateblue
| label5 = [[Urdu]]
| value5 = 2.82
| color5 = green
| value6 = 6.92
| label6 = Others
| color6 = grey
}}

The Official Language Act, 1987, of the erstwhile Union Territory of [[Goa, Daman and Diu]] makes [[Konkani language|Konkani]] in the [[Devanagari]] script the sole official language of Goa, but provides that [[Marathi language|Marathi]] may also be used "for all or any of the official purposes". [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] was the sole official language during [[Portuguese India|Portuguese colonial rule]], but [[Portuguese language in Goa|its use has declined drastically]] since the annexation of the territory by India. The government also has a policy of replying in Marathi to correspondence received in Marathi.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Commissioner o fLinguistic Minorities |title=42nd report: July 2003&nbsp;– June 2004 |page=para 11.3 |url=http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/35.htm |access-date =6 June 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071008113359/http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/35.htm |archive-date = 8 October 2007}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navhindtimes.com/story.php?story=2008083147|title=Solving the Language Imbroglio|work=[[Navhind Times]]|access-date=15 October 2008|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120907004813/http://www.navhindtimes.com/story.php?story=2008083147|archive-date=7 September 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

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 population of people can speak and understand English as well. Other linguistic groups with significant population in the state per the 2011 census are speakers of [[Marathi language|Marathi]] (10.89%), [[Hindi]] (8.64%), [[Kannada]] (4.65%) and [[Urdu]] (2.82%).<ref name="demographics">{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Census_Data_Online/Language/Statement3.htm|title=Census of India – DISTRIBUTION OF 10,000 PERSONS BY LANGUAGE|work=censusindia.gov.in|access-date=17 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011050151/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Census_Data_Online/Language/Statement3.htm|archive-date=11 October 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

Historically, Konkani was neither the official nor the administrative language of the many rulers of the State. Under the [[Kadambas]] (c.&nbsp;960–1310), the court language was Kannada. When under Muslim rule (1312–1370 and 1469–1510), the official and cultural language was [[Persian language|Persian]]. Various stones in the [[Archaeological Museum and Portrait Gallery]] from the period are inscribed in Kannada and Persian.<ref name="Thomaz 2016">{{cite journal |last1=Thomaz |first1=Luís Filipe F. R. |title=The Socio-Linguistic Paradox of Goa |journal=Human and Social Studies |date=1 October 2016 |volume=5 |issue=3|pages=15–38 |doi=10.1515/hssr-2016-0021|doi-access=free | issn = 2285-5920 }}</ref> 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 language|Telugu]].<ref name="Thomaz 2016" />

=== Religion ===
{{Main|Hinduism in Goa|Christianity in Goa}}

{{pie chart
| thumb = right|
| caption = Religion in Goa (2011)<ref name="THReligion" />
| label1 = [[Hinduism]]
| color1 = DarkOrange
| value1 = 66.08<!--DO NOT CHANGE THIS PERCENTAGE. IT IS STRICTLY ACCORDING TO CENSUS SOURCES AND ANY CHANGE WOULD RESULT IN CONFLICTING WITH SOURCES. RELIGION FIGURES OF UNRELIABLE AND UNOFFICIAL SOURCES ARE NOT ACCEPTED HERE. WIKIPEDIA IS NOT THE PLATFORM FOR RADICALISM.-->
| label2 = [[Christianity]]
| color2 = Blue
| value2 = 25.10<!--DO NOT CHANGE THIS PERCENTAGE. IT IS STRICTLY ACCORDING TO CENSUS SOURCES AND ANY CHANGE WOULD RESULT IN CONFLICTING WITH SOURCES. RELIGION FIGURES OF UNRELIABLE AND UNOFFICIAL SOURCES ARE NOT ACCEPTED HERE. WIKIPEDIA IS NOT THE PLATFORM FOR RADICALISM.-->
| label3 = [[Islam]]
| color3 = Green
| value3 = 8.33<!--DO NOT CHANGE THIS PERCENTAGE. IT IS STRICTLY ACCORDING TO CENSUS SOURCES AND ANY CHANGE WOULD RESULT IN CONFLICTING WITH SOURCES. RELIGION FIGURES OF UNRELIABLE AND UNOFFICIAL SOURCES ARE NOT ACCEPTED HERE. WIKIPEDIA IS NOT THE PLATFORM FOR RADICALISM.-->
| label4 = [[Sikhism]]
| color4 = Yellow
| value4 = 0.10<!--DO NOT CHANGE THIS PERCENTAGE. IT IS STRICTLY ACCORDING TO CENSUS SOURCES AND ANY CHANGE WOULD RESULT IN CONFLICTING WITH SOURCES. RELIGION FIGURES OF UNRELIABLE AND UNOFFICIAL SOURCES ARE NOT ACCEPTED HERE. WIKIPEDIA IS NOT THE PLATFORM FOR RADICALISM.-->
| label5 = Other or not religious
| color5 = Black
| value5 = 0.39<!--DO NOT CHANGE THIS PERCENTAGE. IT IS STRICTLY ACCORDING TO CENSUS SOURCES AND ANY CHANGE WOULD RESULT IN CONFLICTING WITH SOURCES. RELIGION FIGURES OF UNRELIABLE AND UNOFFICIAL SOURCES ARE NOT ACCEPTED HERE. WIKIPEDIA IS NOT THE PLATFORM FOR RADICALISM.-->
}}

[[File:Goa Memorial.JPG|thumb|left|Hindu–Christian Unity Memorial at [[Miramar, Goa|Miramar Beach]]]]

According to the 2011 census, in a population of 1,458,545 people, 66.1% were [[Hindu]], 25.1% were [[Christian]], 8.3% were [[Muslim]], and 0.1% were [[Sikh]].<ref name="THReligion"/> However, in September 2024, Goa Governor P.S. Sreedharan Pillai stated that the Muslim population of Goa has increased from 3% to 12% while the Christian population 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Goa's Christian population falls to 25%, Muslim population rises to 12%: Goa Governor |url=https://www.thegoan.net/goa-news/goas-christian-population-falls-to-25-muslim-population-rises-to-12-goa-governor/118554.html |access-date=15 August 2025 |website=The Goan EveryDay |language=en}}</ref>

In 1909, the ''[[Catholic Encyclopedia]]'' documented the total [[Catholic]] population in [[Portuguese Goa]] as 293,628 out of a total population of 365,291 (80.33%).<ref>{{cite book |chapter=Archdiocese of Goa|author=Ernest Hull|title=Catholic Encyclopedia, Vol. 6|date=1909|publisher=Robert Appleton Company|location=New York}}</ref> Since the 20th century, the percentage of [[Goan Catholics]] has gradually declined caused by a combination of permanent emigration from Goa to cosmopolitan Indian cities (e.g. [[Mumbai]], [[Pune]], [[Bangalore]]) and foreign countries (e.g. [[Portugal]], the [[United Kingdom]])<ref>{{cite book|last=Saldhana|first=Arun|title=Psychedelic White: Goa Trance and the Viscosity of Race|publisher=University of Minnesota Press|date=2007
|isbn=978-0-8166-4994-5}}</ref> with the mass immigration of non-Christians from the rest of India since the 20th century.<ref name="Rajesh Ghadge 2015">Rajesh Ghadge (2015). ''The story of Goan Migration.''</ref> By 2021, ethnic [[Goans]] accounted for less than half of the state's residents.<ref name="Menezes"/>

The Catholics in Goa state and [[Daman and Diu]] union territory are served by the Metropolitan [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Goa and Daman]], the [[primatial see]] of India, in which the titular [[Patriarchate of the East Indies]] is vested.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dgoae.html |title=Archdiocese of Goa e Damão |website=[[Catholic-Hierarchy.org]] |year=2014 |access-date=31 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080518044155/http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dgoae.html |archive-date=18 May 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Government and politics ==
{{Main|Government of Goa|1967 Goa status referendum|Goa Special Status}}

[[File:Portrait of Dr. Jack de Sequeira.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Jack de Sequeira]], the father of the [[Goa Opinion Poll|Goan referendum]]]]

The politics of Goa are a result of the uniqueness of this region due to 450 years of Portuguese rule, in comparison to two centuries of British rule experienced by most of the rest of India. The [[Indian National Congress]] was unable to achieve electoral success in the first two decades after the State's incorporation into India.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The construction of a political community : integration and identity in Goa|last=Rubinoff|first=Arthur G. |year=1998|publisher=Sage Publications|pages=18|oclc=38918113}}</ref> Instead, the state was dominated by the regional political parties like [[Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party]] and the [[United Goans Party]].<ref>{{Cite book |title=The construction of a political community: integration and identity in Goa|last=Rubinoff|first=Arthur G. |year=1998 |publisher=Sage Publications |pages=19|oclc=38918113}}</ref>

===Government===
[[File:India Goa Assembly.jpg|thumb|500px|[[Goa Legislative Assembly|Goa Assembly]]]]

Goa has two members of parliament (MP) elected from each district representing the state in the [[Lok Sabha]] (House of the People), the lower house of the national [[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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Goa Legislative Assembly {{!}}Members Of Parliament |url=https://www.goavidhansabha.gov.in/member-of-parliament.php |access-date=3 April 2026 |website=www.goavidhansabha.gov.in}}</ref>

Goa's administrative capital is based in ''[[Panaji]]'', often referred as Panjim in English, Pangim in [[Indo-Portuguese|Portuguese]] and Ponjê in [[Konkani language|Konkani]], the official language of the state. It lies on the left bank of the [[Mandovi river]]. The seat of the [[Goa Legislative 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 [[British 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]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mishra |first=Arvind |date=2 July 2023 |title=How uniform is Goa's civil code? {{!}} Explained |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/law/story/goa-uniform-civil-code-marriage-polygamy-adoption-divorce-property-children-2400680-2023-07-02 |access-date=3 April 2026 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>

Goa has a [[unicameral]] [[legislature]], the [[Goa Legislative Assembly]], of 40 members, headed by a [[List of speakers of the Goa Legislative Assembly|speaker]]. The [[Government of Goa]] is [[de jure]] headed by the [[List of governors of Goa|Governor]] and [[de facto]] headed by the elected [[Chief Minister of Goa|Chief Minister]]. The chief minister heads the executive, which is made up of the party or coalition elected with a majority in the legislature. The governor, the head of the state, is appointed by the [[president of India]]. After having stable governance for nearly thirty years up to 1990, Goa is now notorious for its political instability having seen fourteen governments in the span of the fifteen years between 1990 and 2005.<ref>[http://www.hindu.com/2005/01/31/stories/2005013104051100.htm Odds stacked against Parrikar] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070313090814/http://www.hindu.com/2005/01/31/stories/2005013104051100.htm |date=13 March 2007 }}, Anil Sastry, ''[[The Hindu]]'', 31 January 2005, verified 2 April 2005</ref>

In March 2005, the assembly was dissolved by the Governor and [[President's Rule]] was declared, which suspended the legislature. A by-election in June 2005 saw the Indian National Congress coming back to power after winning three of the five seats that went to polls. The [[Indian National Congress|Congress Party]] and the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) are the two largest parties in the state. In the assembly poll of 2007, the INC-led coalition won and formed the government.<ref>{{cite news |first=Sanjay |last=Banerjee |title=Congress set to rule Goa again. |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/congress-set-to-rule-goa-again/articleshow/2101667.cms |work=The Times of India |publisher=Times Internet Limited |date=6 June 2007 |access-date=5 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114130238/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2101667.cms |archive-date=14 January 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> In the 2012 Vidhan Sabha Elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party along with the [[Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party]] won a clear majority, forming the new government with [[Manohar Parrikar]] as the Chief Minister. Other parties include the [[United Goans Democratic Party]], the [[Nationalist Congress Party]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://northgoa.nic.in/ |title=North Goa District website |publisher=northgoa.nic.in |access-date=16 December 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111219223718/http://northgoa.nic.in/ |archive-date=19 December 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In the [[2017 Goa Legislative Assembly election|2017 assembly elections]], the [[Indian National 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 of India|Supreme Court]] mandated "floor test".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/congress-asks-why-is-bjp-invited-to-form-government-in-goa-1669004 |title=Congress Asks Why Is BJP Invited To Form Government in Goa |publisher=ndtv.com |access-date=27 March 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170328105200/http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/congress-asks-why-is-bjp-invited-to-form-government-in-goa-1669004 |archive-date=28 March 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/goa/news/supreme-court-to-hear-congress-plea-against-goa-governors-invitation-to-bjp/articleshow/57621978.cms |title=Supreme Court to hear Congress plea against Goa governor's invitation to BJP |work= The Times of India |date=14 March 2017 |access-date=27 March 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170318151748/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/goa/news/supreme-court-to-hear-congress-plea-against-goa-governors-invitation-to-bjp/articleshow/57621978.cms |archive-date=18 March 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/goa/news/goas-bjp-led-government-wins-floor-test-with-support-from-22-legislators/articleshow/57665849.cms |title=Goa's BJP-led government wins floor test with support from 22 legislators |work=The Times of India |date=16 March 2017 |access-date=27 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319040934/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/goa/news/goas-bjp-led-government-wins-floor-test-with-support-from-22-legislators/articleshow/57665849.cms |archive-date=19 March 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In the 2022 Goa Legislative Assembly Elections, the [[National Democratic 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.<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 September 2022 |title=Eight of Cong’s 11 Goa MLAs break away, merge with BJP |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/eight-of-congs-11-goa-mlas-break-away-merge-with-bjp/articleshow/94209122.cms |access-date=3 April 2026 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

The current seats of NDA lies at 33 with 28 of BJP, 2 of MGP and 3 independents while the opposition [[Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance]] (INDIA) with 7 seats consisting of Congress at 3 seats AAP with 2 seats GFP and RGP with 1 seats each.{{citation needed|date=September 2025}}

=== Subdivisions ===
[[File:Districts of Goa.png|thumb|District map of Goa]]

{{Main|List of districts of Goa}}

{{See also|List of cities and towns in Goa}}

The state is divided into two [[List of districts in India|administrative districts]]—[[North Goa]] and [[South Goa]]. Each district is administered by a [[District Collector]], appointed by the [[Government of Goa]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Administrative Setup {{!}} North Goa District, Government of Goa {{!}} India |url=https://northgoa.gov.in/administrative-setup/ |access-date=1 January 2026 |language=en-US}}</ref> These two districts are further divided into subdivisions and talukas, headed by a [[Sub-divisional magistrate|Deputy Collector-cum-Sub Divisional Officer]] and a [[Tehsildar|Mamlatdar]], respectively. The talukas are further divided into villages, each headed by a [[Talathi]], who is responsible for land revenue and related matters.

[[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 [[Sattari]] ([[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, Goa|Ponda]], [[Mormugao]]-[[Vasco da Gama, Goa|Vasco]], Margao, [[Quepem]], and [[Dharbandora]]; and seven ''talukas''—[[Ponda taluka|Ponda]], [[Mormugao taluka|Mormugao]], [[Salcete]] ([[Margao]]), [[Quepem]], and [[Canacona]] ([[Chaudi]]), [[Sanguem]], and [[Dharbandora]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} Goa has a total number of 334 villages.

Local government in Goa operates through a two-tier system in rural areas and urban local bodies in towns and cities. Rural local government in Goa consists of 191 [[Gram panchayat|Village Panchayats]] and two [[Zilla Panchayat]], while urban areas are governed by 13 [[Municipal council (India)|municipal councils]] and the Corporation of the City of Panaji.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Local Bodies Statistics – Goa State Election Commission |url=https://sec.goa.gov.in/local-bodies-statistics/ |access-date=1 January 2026 |website=sec.goa.gov.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Directorate Of Panchayats, Government Of Goa |url=https://panchayatsgoa.gov.in/ErrorPage.aspx |access-date=1 January 2026 |website=panchayatsgoa.gov.in}}</ref> These local bodies are divided into wards, with representatives elected every five years.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Duties & Functions – Goa State Election Commission |url=https://sec.goa.gov.in/duties-functions/ |access-date=1 January 2026 |website=sec.goa.gov.in}}</ref>

=== Local governance ===
Goa's major cities are—[[Panaji]], [[Margao]], [[Vasco da Gama, Goa|Vasco]]-[[Mormugao]], [[Mapusa]], [[Ponda, Goa|Ponda]], [[Bicholim]], and [[Valpoi]]. [[Panaji]] (Panjim) has the only [[Municipal Corporation]] in Goa.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} There are thirteen [[Municipal Council]]s—Margao, Mormugao (merged with Vasco), Pernem, Mapusa, Bicholim, [[Sanquelim]], Valpoi, Ponda, [[Cuncolim]], Quepem, [[Curchorem]], Sanguem, and Canacona.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Directorate of Planning, Statistics & Evaluation |url=http://www.goadpse.gov.in/Goa%20Economy%20in%20Figures%202017.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404073156/http://www.goadpse.gov.in/Goa%20Economy%20in%20Figures%202017.pdf |archive-date=4 April 2018}}</ref> There are two [[District council (India)|Zilla Panchayats]] — South Goa and North Goa — and 191 [[Gram Panchayats]] for rural governance.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Local Bodies Statistics – Goa State Election Commission |url=https://sec.goa.gov.in/local-bodies-statistics/ |access-date=8 August 2025 |website=sec.goa.gov.in}}</ref>

Local governance in Goa is administered through a two-tier system in rural areas and a municipal system in urban areas. Rural local bodies consist of the [[District council (India)|Zilla Panchayats]] at the district level and [[Gram Panchayats]] at the village level, functioning under the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994. Urban areas are governed by [[Municipal council (India)|municipal councils]] or [[Municipal corporation (India)|municipal corporations]] in accordance with the Goa Municipalities Act, 1968, and the Corporation of the City of Panaji Act, 2002. These institutions are responsible for local administration, civic amenities, and community development within their respective jurisdictions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CHAPTER I PART A URBAN LOCAL BODIES! CAG INDIA |url=https://cag.gov.in/uploads/download_audit_report/2009/Goa_ULB_PRI_2009_Chapter_1.pdf}}</ref>

== Economy ==
{{See also|Casinos in Goa}}

{|class="wikitable" style="float:right; width:260px; margin:0 0 1em 1em; background:#f4f5f6; border:#c6c7c8 solid; font-size:90%;"
|colspan="2" style="background:#c2d6e5; text-align:center;"|'''Gross state domestic product (in millions of rupees)'''<ref name=gdpstat>{{cite web|url=http://mospi.nic.in/mospi_nad_main.htm |title=Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation |access-date=7 September 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060413232217/http://mospi.nic.in/mospi_nad_main.htm |archive-date=13 April 2006}}</ref>
|-
! Year ||GSDP
|-
|1980 ||3,980
|-
|1985 ||6,550
|-
|1990 ||12,570
|-
|1995 ||33,190
|-
|2000 ||76,980
|-
|2010 ||150,000
|}

Goa's state domestic product for 2017 is estimated at $11&nbsp;billion at current prices. Goa is India's richest state with the highest GDP per capita—two and a half times that of the country—with one of its fastest growth rates: 8.23% (yearly average 1990–2000).<ref>{{cite web |last=Mohan |first=Vibhor |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Chandigarhs_per_capita_income_highest_in_India/articleshow/3487128.cms |title=Chandigarh's per capita income is highest in India |work=The Times of India |date=16 September 2008 |access-date=16 December 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719065301/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-09-16/chandigarh/27901061_1_capita-income-constant-prices-industrial-growth |archive-date=19 July 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> Tourism is Goa's primary industry: it gets 12%<ref>[http://goenkar.com/book/print/112 Economy of Goa] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050329161315/http://goenkar.com/book/print/112 |date=29 March 2005 }}, from [http://goenkar.com/ goenkar.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050402083621/http://www.goenkar.com/ |date=2 April 2005 }} verified 2 April 2005.</ref> 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 [[State Domestic Product|net state domestic product]] (NSDP) was around US$7.24&nbsp;billion in 2015–16.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ibef.org/states/goa.aspx#login-box|title=About Goa: Tourism, Industries, Economy, Growth & Geography Information|website=ibef.org|access-date=6 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129122956/http://www.ibef.org/states/goa.aspx#login-box|archive-date=29 November 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

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&nbsp;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 depleting the forest cover as well as posing a health hazard to the local population. Corporations 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.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

[[File:Vasantrao S Dempo 2016 stamp of India.jpg|thumb|[[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-time employment to a sizeable portion 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 traditional fishing giving way to large-scale mechanised trawling.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

Medium-scale industries include the manufacturing of pesticides, fertilizers, tires, tubes, footwear, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, wheat products, steel rolling, fruits and fish canning, cashew nuts, textiles, brewery products.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

Currently, there are 16 planned SEZs in Goa. The Goa government has recently decided to not allow any more [[Special Economic Zone]]s (SEZs) in Goa after strong opposition to them by political parties and the Goa Catholic Church.<ref name=goasez>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Business/India_Business/Goa_not_to_have_any_more_SEZs_Digamber_Kamat/rssarticleshow/2538932.cms|title=Goa not to have any more SEZs|access-date=13 November 2007|work=The Times of India|date=13 November 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011132502/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Business/India_Business/Goa_not_to_have_any_more_SEZs_Digamber_Kamat/rssarticleshow/2538932.cms|archive-date=11 October 2008|url-status=live}}</ref>

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 remittance, from many of its citizens who work abroad, to their families. It is said to have some of the largest bank savings in the country.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

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.<ref>{{cite news |title=After Fighting Against Goa's Casinos, Parrikar Gives Them What They Want |url=https://thewire.in/politics/parrikar-gives-casinos-always-wanted-permanent-base-goa |work=The Wire |date=7 August 2017 |access-date=21 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Casinos are now 'fait accompli' of Goa govt: Manohar Parrikar |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-casinos-are-now-fait-accompli-of-goa-govt-manohar-parrikar-2256089 |work=DNA India |date=17 September 2016 |access-date=21 May 2025}}</ref> There are several [[Casinos in Goa|casinos available in Goa]]. From 2018 to 2019, tax revenue from casinos reached {{INRConvert|4.14|b|lk=r|year=2019}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Overview of Goa's Casino Communities |url=https://env.media/goa-casino-communities/ |access-date=30 May 2022 |website=Env Media |date=17 July 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

Goa is the second state in India to achieve a 100 per cent automatic telephone system with a solid network of telephone exchanges. As of September 2017, Goa had a total installed power generation capacity of 547.88 MW. Goa is also one of the few states in India to achieve 100 per cent rural electrification.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.goa.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Budget-Speech-2017.pdf|title=Goa Budget 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206190344/https://www.goa.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Budget-Speech-2017.pdf|archive-date=6 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
<gallery mode="packed" heights="134">
Iron Ore Train Goa.jpg|Train carrying iron ore to [[Marmagao]] Port, [[Vasco da Gama, Goa|Vasco]]
Panjim Downtown.JPG|Commercial area in [[Panaji]]
</gallery>

== Tourism ==
{{See also|Tourism in Goa}}
{{multiple image
| width             = 220px
| perrow            = 1
| image1            = Boys and girls at Goa beach.jpg
| image2            = 1 Beach, Goa India, March 2013.jpg
| image3            = Sunset at bogamalo beach.jpg
| footer            = 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 [[Dabolim Airport|Goa airport]] in the bottom image.
}}

Tourism is generally focused on the coastal areas of Goa, with lower tourist activity inland. In 2010, there were more than 2 million tourists reported to have visited Goa, about 1.2&nbsp; million of whom were from abroad.<ref name="Tourist arrivals in Goa">{{cite web|url=http://www.goatourism.gov.in/About%20DOT/tourist_arrivals.htm |access-date=3 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100827214441/http://www.goatourism.gov.in/About%20DOT/tourist_arrivals.htm |archive-date=27 August 2010|website=Department of Tourism, Government of Goa website|title=Tourist Arrivals (Year Wise)}}</ref> {{As of|2013}}, Goa was a destination of choice for Indian and foreign tourists, particularly Britons who wanted to vacation outside their countries. The state was hopeful that changes could be made which would attract a more upscale demographic.<ref name="Observer83113">{{cite news|title=Why Goa is looking to go upmarket&nbsp;– and banish Brits and backpackers: As visitor numbers dip, the Indian state wants to rid itself of budget tourists&nbsp;– but its rubbish mountains and beach gangs are putting off the rich|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/01/goa-banish-brits-backpackers|access-date=31 August 2013|newspaper=The Observer, The Guardian|date=31 August 2013|author=Gethin Chamberlain|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130901214731/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/01/goa-banish-brits-backpackers|archive-date=1 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

Goa stands 6th in the Top 10 Nightlife cities in the world in [[National Geographic|National Geographic Travel]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/top-10/nightlife-cities/|title=Top 10 Nightlife Cities – National Geographic Travel|author=National Geographic Society|work=National Geographic|access-date=12 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812134753/http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/top-10/nightlife-cities/|archive-date=12 August 2016|url-status=dead|date=22 January 2015}}</ref> One of the biggest tourist attractions 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]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/asia-best-beaches/index.html|title=20 idyllic beach getaways|date=12 July 2017|publisher=CNN|access-date=21 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322015247/https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/asia-best-beaches/index.html|archive-date=22 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

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 often described as a fusion between Eastern and Western culture with Portuguese culture having a dominant position in the state be it in its architectural, cultural or social settings. The state of Goa is famous for its excellent beaches, churches, and temples.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://travelfiver.com/5-best-beaches-in-goa/# |title=5 most popular beaches in goa &#124; TravelFiver |access-date=6 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406163934/http://travelfiver.com/5-best-beaches-in-goa/ |archive-date=6 April 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Historic sites and neighbourhoods ===
Goa has one [[World Heritage Site]]: the [[Bom Jesus Basilica]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://goajesuits.in/bomjesus |title=Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa &#124; Goa Jesuits |publisher=goajesuits.in |access-date=18 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140615151313/http://goajesuits.in/bomjesus/ |archive-date=15 June 2014}}</ref> 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 veneration and for public viewing (exposition), per the prerogative of the Church in Goa. The first exposition was held in 1782 nearly 230 years after the death of St. Francis Xavier. The second exposition was held 77 years after the first exposition. After the Liberation of Goa, the expositions were held every 10 years between December and January.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 November 2024 |title=St Francis Xavier’s Exposition was not always held after 10 years – 21 November 2024 {{!}} O Heraldo |url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/goa/st-francis-xaviers-exposition-was-not-always-held-after-10-years/376192/ |access-date=23 December 2025 |language=en-US}}</ref> The last exposition was held in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 November 2024 |title=Pilgrims flock to Goa for 18th exposition of St. Francis Xavier's relics - Vatican News |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2024-11/18th-exposition-of-st-francis-xavier-s-sacred-relics-goa-india.html |access-date=23 December 2025 |website=www.vaticannews.va |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:Panaji, nostra signora dell'immacolata concezione, esterno 04.jpg|thumb|[[Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church, Goa|Our Lady of Immaculate Conception]] Church in [[Panaji]]]]
{| class="wikitable"
|+Tourist Arrivals<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.goatourism.gov.in/statistics/225|title=Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, India - Tourist Arrivals (Year Wise)|website=goatourism.gov.in|access-date=30 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180210213317/http://goatourism.gov.in/statistics/225|archive-date=10 February 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
!Year
!Total Arrivals
!% Change
|-
|1985
|775,212
|{{Steady}}
|-
|1990
|881,323
|{{Increase}} 13.3
|-
|1995
|1,107,705
|{{Increase}} 23.7
|-
|2000
|1,268,513
|{{Increase}} 13.8
|-
|2005
|2,302,146
|{{Increase}} 66.3
|-
|2010
|2,644,805
|{{Increase}} 13.9
|-
|2015
|5,297,902
|{{Increase}} 76.4
|}The [[Velhas Conquistas]] regions are known for Goa-Portuguese style architecture. There are many forts in Goa such as [[Terekhol Fort|Tiracol]], [[Chapora Fort|Chapora]], [[Corjuem]], [[Fort Aguada|Aguada]], [[Reis Magos]], [[Fort Nanus|Nanus]], [[Mormugao]], Fort Gaspar Dias and [[Cabo de Rama]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Monuments & Structure of Goa – Department of Information and Publicity |url=https://dip.goa.gov.in/monuments-structure-of-goa/ |access-date=11 December 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref>

In many parts of Goa, mansions constructed in the Indo-Portuguese style architecture still stand, though, in some villages, most of them are in a dilapidated condition. [[Fontainhas (quarter)|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. After 1961, many of these were demolished and reconstructed in the indigenous Indian style.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Monuments & Structure of Goa |url=https://dip.goa.gov.in/monuments-structure-of-goa/ |access-date=11 December 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Museums and science centre ===
Goa has three important museums: the [[Goa State Museum]], the [[Naval Aviation Museum (Goa)|Naval Aviation Museum]] and the [[National Institute of Oceanography, India|National Institute of Oceanography]]. The aviation museum is one of three in India (the others are in [[Indian Air Force Museum, Palam|Delhi]] and [[HAL Aerospace Museum|Bangalore]]). The [[Goa Science Centre]] is in Miramar, Panaji.<ref name="Goa Science Center location">{{cite web|url=http://www.nehrusciencecentre.org/GSCP/gscp.htm |title=Goa Science Centre-Panjim |access-date=3 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091203114538/http://www.nehrusciencecentre.org/GSCP/gscp.htm |archive-date=3 December 2009 }}, Nehru Science Centre website. Retrieved 4 August 2010.</ref> The [[National Institute of Oceanography, India]] (NIO) is in Dona Paula.<ref name="NIO Home">[http://www.nio.org/index/title/HOME NIO website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819024218/http://www.nio.org/index/title/HOME |date=19 August 2010 }}. Retrieved 4 August 2010.</ref> [[Museum of Goa]] is a privately owned contemporary art gallery in Pilerne Industrial Estate, near [[Calangute]].<ref name="HinduRay2015">
{{cite web
 | last=Ray
 | first=Kunal
 | title=Artist Subodh Kerkar's Museum of Goa aims to provide a cultural experience for the Goans
 | website=[[The Hindu]]
 | date=15 October 2015
| url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/art/artist-subodh-kerkar-s-museum-of-goa-aims-to-provide-a-cultural-experience-for-the-goans/article7765909.ece
 | accessdate=7 January 2016
}}</ref>

=== Beaches ===
[[File:Coastline of North Goa.png|thumb|Map of North Goan coastline]]
Most of the beauty of Goa is present on the beaches. The coastline of about {{convert|103|km}} has some of the most attractive beaches flanked by the Arabian Sea. The beaches of Goa are counted among the most beautiful in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Beaches {{!}} Government of Goa |url=https://www.goa.gov.in/what_to_see/beaches/ |access-date=11 December 2022 |website=Government of Goa {{!}} Official Portal}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=February 2023}} Some of the beaches include [[Anjuna Beach]], [[Baga beach]], [[Bambolim Beach]], [[Calangute Beach]], [[Candolim Beach]], [[Colva Beach]], and [[Miramar Beach, Goa|Miramar Beach]].Goa has around 54 beaches minimum by a tourist website, however including small minor beaches could take the count to 100+.<ref>{{Cite web |title=54 Beaches - List Of Beaches In Goa |url=https://www.goaholidayguide.com/beaches/ |access-date=15 August 2025 |website=goaholidayguide.com}}</ref>

== Culture ==
{{Main|Culture of Goa}}

Having been a [[Portuguese India|Portuguese territory]] for over 450 years,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Costa |first=Maria de Lourdes Brava da |author-link=Maria de Lourdes Bravo da Costa Rodrigues|url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Portuguese_Colonialism_Food_and_Society/HQxoEQAAQBAJ?hl=en |title=Portuguese Colonialism, Food, and Society in Goa: 1900-1961 |date=2025-06-30 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-93-6131-743-9 |language=en}}</ref> [[Goan]] culture is an amalgamation of both [[Eastern culture|Eastern]] and [[Western culture|Western]] styles, with the latter having a more dominant role. The tableau of Goa showcases religious harmony by focusing on the [[Deepastambha]], the [[Christian cross]], and [[Ghode Modni]] followed by a chariot. European royal attire of kings is as much part of Goa's cultural heritage as are regional dances performed depicting a unique blend of different religions and cultures of this State. Prominent local festivals are [[Christmas]], [[Easter]], [[Carnival]], [[Diwali]], [[Shigmo]], [[Ganesh Chaturthi|Chavoth]], [[Gudi Padwa|Samvatsar Padvo]], [[Navratri|Dasara]] etc. The Goan Carnival and Christmas-new year celebrations attract many tourists.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

The [[Gomant Vibhushan]], the highest civilian honour of the state of Goa, is given annually by the [[Government of Goa]] since 2010.<ref>{{cite web |title = R A Mashelkar conferred Gomant Vibhushan award |url = https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/R-A-Mashelkar-conferred-Gomant-Vibhushan-award/articleshow/20358039.cms |date = 31 May 2013 |access-date = 16 August 2014 |work = The Times of India |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151002163259/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/R-A-Mashelkar-conferred-Gomant-Vibhushan-award/articleshow/20358039.cms |archive-date = 2 October 2015 |url-status = live}}</ref><ref name="TimesofIndia">{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Goas-highest-civilian-award-to-Charles-Correa/articleshow/11160835.cms |title=Goa's highest civilian award to Charles Correa |date=19 December 2011 |work=The Times of India |access-date=16 August 2014 |archive-date=1 July 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120701155312/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-12-19/goa/30533988_1_charles-correa-goa-chief-minister-digambar-kamat |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Dance and music ===
{{Main|Music of Goa}}

Being a former territory of [[Portugal]], Goa has a dominant western musical scene with the use of instrument such as the violin, drums, guitar, trumpet and piano. It has also produced a number of prominent musicians and singers for the world of Indian music. Portuguese [[Fado]] also has significance in Goa. 

Traditional Goan art forms are [[Corridinho]], [[Mando (music)|Mando]],[[Dekhnni]], [[Fugdi]],, [[Dulpod]] and [[Fado]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mid-day.com/lifestyle/2012/mar/180312-The-fate-of-Fado.htm|title=The Fate of Fado|publisher=[[Mid-Day]]|access-date=10 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121213041639/http://www.mid-day.com/lifestyle/2012/mar/180312-The-fate-of-Fado.htm|archive-date=13 December 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

Many famous [[Indian classical]] singers hail from Goa, including [[Mogubai Kurdikar]],[[Lata Mangeshkar ]], [[ Deenanath Mangeshkar]] ,[[Kishori Amonkar]], [[Kesarbai Kerkar]], [[Jitendra Abhisheki]] and Pandit Prabhakar Karekar.{{Citation needed|date=August 2012}}

Other famous Goan singers and musicians are [[Lorna Cordeiro]] (Nightingale of Goa),<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 August 2024 |title=Goa's Mesmerising Nightingale Lorna turned soulful 80, has Goa given her the honour she deserves? - Herald Goa |url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/goa/goas-mesmerising-nightingale-lorna-turned-soulful-80-has-goa-given-her-the-honour-she-deserves/196715/ |access-date=7 October 2025 |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Chris Perry (musician)|Chris Perry]] and [[Alfred Rose (singer)|Alfred Rose]] (Melody King of Goa).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alfred Rose: The Melody King of Goa |url=https://www.thegoan.net/tg-life/alfred-rose-the-melody-king-of-goa/75860.html |access-date=7 October 2025 |website=The Goan EveryDay |language=en}}</ref>

=== Theatre ===
{{See also|Goan literature}}
''[[Natak]]'', ''[[Tiatr]]'' (most popular) and ''[[Zagor (folk drama)|Zagor]]'' are the chief forms of Goa's traditional performance arts. Other forms are Ranmale, Dashavatari, Kalo, Goulankala, Lalit, Kala and Rathkala.{{Citation needed|date=September 2012}} Stories from the [[Ramayana]] and the [[Mahabharata]] along with more modern social subjects are narrated with song and dance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goablog.org/posts/tiatr-folk-drama-of-goa/|title=Tiatr folk drama of Goa|access-date=7 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081123053722/http://www.goablog.org/posts/tiatr-folk-drama-of-goa/|archive-date=23 November 2008|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Ecam">{{cite news
 |url          = http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshowarchive.cms?msid=1907414
 |title        = Konkan goes Tiatrical
 |date         = 14 April 2007
|access-date   = 14 December 2008
|author       = Smitha Venkateswaran
 |publisher    = [[The Economic Times]]
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20090111191718/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshowarchive.cms?msid=1907414
 |archive-date = 11 January 2009
|url-status     = live
}}</ref>

[[Jagor]], the traditional folk dance–drama, is performed by the Hindu [[Kunbi]] and Christian [[Gauda (caste)|Gauda]] communities of Goa, to seek the Divine Grace for protection 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 deities once a year and they continue to remain awake throughout the year guarding the village.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

[[Perni Jagor]] is the ancient mask dance–drama of Goa, performed by Perni families, using well crafted and painted wooden masks, depicting various animals, birds, supernatural power, deities, demons, and social characters.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

[[Gauda Jagor]] is an impression of social life that displays all the existing moods and modes of human characters. It is predominantly based on three main characters, Gharasher, Nikhandar, and Parpati, wearing shining dresses and headgear. The performance is accompanied by vibrant tunes of Goan folk instruments like [[Nagara (drum)|Nagara]]/[[Dobe (musical instrument)|Dobe]], [[Ghumat]], [[Mhadalem]], and [[Kansallem]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

In some places, Jagor performances are held with the participation of both Hindus and the Christian community, whereby characters are played by Hindus and musical support is provided by Christian artistes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=135726|title=17 States and Six Central Ministries to Showcase their Tableaux in Republic Day Parade – 2016|access-date=25 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531171642/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=135726|archive-date=31 May 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{lang|gom-Latn|Tiatr}} ''(Teatro)'' and its artists 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 Christian 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 acoustically.{{citation needed|date=September 2015}} 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.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

=== Konkani cinema ===
[[File:India Goa Film Festival.jpg|thumb|India Goa Film Festival]]
[[Konkani cinema]] is an [[Indian film]] industry, where [[film]]s are made in the [[Konkani language]], which is spoken mainly in the [[India]]n states of Goa, [[Maharashtra]] and [[Karnataka]] and to a smaller extent in [[Kerala]]. Konkani films have been produced in Goa, [[Karnataka]], [[Maharashtra]] and [[Kerala]].<ref>[http://www.hindu.com/2011/04/17/stories/2011041760220500.htm Kerala / Kochi News: A Konkani cinema from the youth] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110004647/http://www.hindu.com/2011/04/17/stories/2011041760220500.htm |date=10 November 2012 }}. The Hindu (17 April 2011). Retrieved 28 July 2013.</ref>

The first full-length Konkani film was ''[[Mogacho Anvddo]]'', released on 24 April 1950, and was produced and directed by A. L.Jerry Braganza, a native of [[Mapusa]], under the banner of ETICA Pictures.<ref>[http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=59256&n_tit=Panaji%3A+Konkani+Cinema+-+A+Long+Way+to+Go Panaji Konkani Cinema – A Long Way to Go] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801082317/http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=59256&n_tit=Panaji%3A%20Konkani%20Cinema%20-%20A%20Long%20Way%20to%20Go |date=1 August 2013 }}. Daijiworld.com. Retrieved 28 July 2013.</ref><ref>[https://archive.today/20120715024323/http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gulf-goans/message/31478 Yahoo! Groups]. Yahoo. Retrieved 28 July 2013.</ref> Hence, 24 April is celebrated as Konkani Film Day.<ref>[http://www.navhindtimes.in/panorama/konkani-cinema-day-some-reflections Konkani Cinema Day – Some Reflections] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120610122109/http://www.navhindtimes.in/panorama/konkani-cinema-day-some-reflections |date=10 June 2012 }}. Navhindtimes.in (23 April 2011). Retrieved 28 July 2013</ref> Since 2004, starting from the 35th edition, the [[International Film Festival of India]] moved its permanent venue to Goa, it is annually held in the months of November and December.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/goa-becomes-permanent-venue-for-iffi-114091800110_1.html|title=Goa becomes permanent venue for IFFI|agency=ANI|date=18 September 2014|work=Business Standard India|access-date=6 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206190317/http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/goa-becomes-permanent-venue-for-iffi-114091800110_1.html|archive-date=6 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Konkani film [[The Man Beyond the Bridge|Paltadcho manis]] has been included in the world's best films of 2009 list.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Man Beyond the Bridge to release in Canada news |date=12 February 2010 |url=http://dearcinema.com/news/man-beyond-bridge-release-canada|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304005230/http://dearcinema.com/news/man-beyond-bridge-release-canada |archive-date=4 March 2010 |website=dearcinema.com}}</ref>

Konkani films are eligible for the [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Konkani]]. The most commercially successful Konkani film, {{As of|2011|6|lc=y}}, is ''[[O Maria]]'' directed by Rajendra Talak.<ref>[http://www.navhindtimes.in/iwatch/celebrating-konkani-cinema Celebrating Konkani cinema |iGoa]. Navhindtimes.in (26 April 2011). Retrieved 28 July 2013. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228210554/http://www.navhindtimes.in/iwatch/celebrating-konkani-cinema |date=28 February 2014 }}</ref> In 2012, the whole new change was adopted in Konkani Cinema by introducing Digital Theatrical Film ''The Victim'' directed by Milroy Goes.<ref>"[https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangalore/Konkani-movie-The-Victim-hits-screens-on-Sept-14/articleshow/16360609.cms Konkani movie 'The Victim' hits screens on September 14] " – ''The Times of India''. Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com (12 September 2012). Retrieved 28 July 2013.</ref> Some old Konkani films are ''Sukhachem Sopon'', ''[[Amchem Noxib]]'', ''[[Nirmonn]]'', ''Mhoji Ghorkarn'', ''Kortubancho Sonvsar'', ''Jivit Amchem Oxem'', ''Mog ani Moipas'', ''[[Bhuierantlo Munis]]'', ''Suzanne'', ''[[Boglantt]]'', ''[[Padri (film)|Padri]]'' and ''Bhogsonne''. [[Ujwadu]] is a 2011 Konkani film directed by Kasargod Chinna and produced by KJ Dhananjaya and Anuradha Padiyar.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

=== 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 international festival recognition.

The movement gained early visibility after the environmental short film ''The Awakening'' by filmmaker Rameez Shaikh won the South Asian Regional Award at the Don Bosco Global Youth Film Festival on 18 October 2024.<ref name="DBGYFF2024">{{cite news |title=South Asian Youth Film Award Announced |publisher=Don Bosco Global Youth Film Festival |date=18 October 2024 }}</ref> The film was subsequently screened at the WAVES International Short Film Festival in January 2025 and at the Urban Adda Film Festival in June 2025.<ref name="WAVES2025">{{cite web |title=WAVES International Short Film Festival 2025 Selections |publisher=WAVES Film Forum }}</ref>

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 Festival on 22 August 2025, followed by selections at NanoCon in the United States and at Jackson Doc Fest in Tennessee.<ref name="Miseentage2025">{{cite news |title=Miseentage Indian Film Festival 2025: Winners Announced |publisher=Miseentage Press |date=22 August 2025}}</ref>

During the same period, Pimenta’s environmental short ''Act To Achieve'' received its first international screening in the United Kingdom and was later selected for the Egyptian American Film Festival in New York. His experimental horror short ''RAW'' was screened at the Willlachen Comedy & Satire Filmprize in Vienna.<ref name="ActAcheive2025">{{cite web |title=Act To Achieve Selected for International Screening |publisher=Frome Film Collective |date=18 May 2025}}</ref>

The movement expanded as other youth filmmakers attracted international attention. 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 Festival on 31 October 2025.<ref name="Footprint2025">{{cite web |title=Footprint Film Festival Announces 2025 Lineup |publisher=Footprint Film Festival |date=31 October 2025}}</ref>

By late 2025, Goan Gen-Z filmmakers had collectively achieved more than ten international festival selections 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 production methods, mobile-phone filmmaking and emerging youth-led creative networks.

=== Food ===
{{Main|Goan cuisine}}

<gallery mode="packed" heights="134">
File:Goan prawn curry.jpg|Goan prawn curry, a popular dish throughout the state
File:Vindalho.jpg|Pork ''[[vindaloo]]'' is a popular Goan curry dish in the state and around the world.
File:Chamuças.jpg|''[[Chamuças]]'', Goan samosas
File:Goan Fish Curry.jpg|Traditional Goan fish curry
</gallery>
Rice with fish [[curry]] (''xit koddi'' in [[Konkani language|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 pepper]]s, [[spice]]s, and [[vinegar]], used in the Catholic cuisine, giving the food a unique flavor. Goan cuisine is heavily influenced by [[Portuguese cuisine]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

Goan food may be divided into Goan Catholic and Goan Hindu cuisine with each showing very distinct tastes, characteristics, and cooking styles. [[Pork]] dishes such as [[vindalho]], [[xxacuti]], [[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 celebrations of festivals, Hindu and Christian alike. Khatkhate contains at least five vegetables, fresh coconut, and special Goan spices that add to the aroma.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} [[Sanna (rice cakes)|Sannas]], ''Hitt'', are local rice cakes and ''Polle'', ''Amboli'', and ''Kailoleo'' are rice pancakes; all are native to Goa. A rich [[egg (food)|egg]]-based, multi-layered baked sweet known as [[bebinca]] is traditional at Christmas.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

Stone chocolate is a type of handcrafted dark chocolate associated with Goan cuisine. It is made using traditional techniques and often 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 (liquor)|feni]]. Cashew feni is made from the double distillation of the fermented fruit juice of the cashew tree, while coconut feni is made from the double distillation of the fermented sap of toddy palms. [[Urrak]] is another local liquor prepared from the single distillation 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 meeting point for villagers to unwind.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Rise of Cashew Feni|url=http://goastreets.com/goa-news/the-heady-rise-of-cashew-feni/|work=goastreets.com|publisher=Goa Streets|access-date=2 June 2013|author=Joseph Zuzarte|date=14 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130601053345/http://goastreets.com/goa-news/the-heady-rise-of-cashew-feni/|archive-date=1 June 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Goa also has a rich wine culture due to Portuguese rule.<ref>{{cite web|title=A Date With Port|url=http://www.verveonline.com/110/life/scapes-wine.shtml|work=verveonline.com|publisher=[[Verve (Indian magazine)|Verve]]|access-date=2 June 2013|author=Sheetal Wadhwa Munshaw|date=July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708160840/http://verveonline.com/110/life/scapes-wine.shtml|archive-date=8 July 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Wine and dine in Goa|url=http://www.thewineclub.in/special_feature/1211/wine-and-dine-in-Goa|work=thewineclub.in|publisher=The Wine Club|access-date=2 June 2013|author=Ashiqa Salvan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515022437/http://www.thewineclub.in/special_feature/1211/Wine-and-dine-in-Goa|archive-date=15 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Architecture ===
<gallery mode="packed" heights="134">
Costa Residence Margao.jpg|''The House of the Seven Gables'' in [[Margao]]
Galeria_em_Fontainhas.jpg|''Velha Goa Galeria'', in [[Panaji]]
</gallery>
The architecture of Goa is a combination of native Goan, [[Islamic architecture|Ottoman]] and [[Portuguese architecture|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 architecture|Dravidian]], [[Hemadpanti]], Islamic, and Portuguese architecture.<ref name=tempgoa>{{cite book|last=Mankekar|first=Kamla|title=Temples of Goa|year=2004|publisher=Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India|isbn= 9788123011615|pages=[https://archive.org/details/culturereligious00mank/page/98 99] pages(see pages 1–17)}}</ref> The original Goan temple architecture fell into disuse as the temples were demolished by the Portuguese and the ''[[Sthapati]]'' known as ''Thavayi'' in Konkani were converted to Christianity though the wooden work and the ''[[Kaavi art|Kavi]]'' murals can still be seen.<ref name=kavi>{{cite book|last=Kamat|first=Krishnanand|title=Konkanyali Kavikala|publisher=Goa Konkani Akademi|location=Panaji}}</ref>

== Transportation ==

=== Air ===
[[File:Goa-Vasco 03-2016 12 Dabolim Airport.jpg|thumb|[[Dabolim Airport|Goa International Airport, Dabolim]]]]
Goa is served by two international Airports. [[Goa International Airport]], is a [[Joint-use airport|civil enclave]] at [[INS Hansa]], a Naval airfield<ref>{{Cite news|title=Goa airport requests shift in Navy's flying sorties to reduce rush|newspaper=The Economic Times|date=7 November 2016|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/goa-airport-requests-shift-in-navys-flying-sorties-to-reduce-rush/articleshow/55289748.cms|access-date=28 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328132512/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/goa-airport-requests-shift-in-navys-flying-sorties-to-reduce-rush/articleshow/55289748.cms|archive-date=28 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> located at [[Dabolim]], near [[Vasco da Gama, Goa|Vasco da Gama]] while the [[Manohar International Airport]] is located in the North at [[Mopa, Goa|Mopa]].<ref>{{Cite web |author=Saurabh Sinha|date=11 December 2022 |title=Goa gets its 2nd airport today, Dabolim to also remain operational - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/goa-gets-its-2nd-airport-today-dabolim-to-also-remain-operational/articleshow/96147308.cms |access-date=2 January 2023 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> 
Within five months of its inception, Mopa airport began handling 30 per cent of all air traffic of Goa.<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 May 2023 |title=Manohar Intl Airport handles 30% of Goa's air traffic: CM Sawant |url=https://travel.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/aviation/domestic/manohar-intl-airport-handles-30-of-goas-air-traffic-cm-sawant/100587141 |access-date=28 January 2024 |website= [[The Economic Times]] |language=en}}</ref> 
The airports cater to scheduled domestic and international air services, with the new airport having started international operations from March 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=Oman Air to launch Muscat-Goa Mopa service |url=https://www.aaco.org/media-center/news/aaco-members/36 |work=Arab Air Carriers' Organization|date=18 January 2023|access-date=1 February 2023}}</ref>
Goa has scheduled international connections 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 ===
[[File:Welcome to Tivim Goa.jpg|thumb|Most of Goa is well connected by roads.]]
[[File:Kadamba Tata Marcopolo Starbus Ultra Ac Deluxe.jpg|thumb|left|Government-run Kadamba buses at a bus station 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 Corporation]], link major routes (like the Panaji–Margao route) and some remote parts of the state. The Corporation owns 15 bus stands, 4 depots and one Central workshop at [[Porvorim]] and a Head Office at Porvorim.<ref name="ES">{{cite web |url=http://www.goa.gov.in/pdf/goa-esurvey-2010-2011.pdf |title=Economic Survey 2011–2012 |publisher=Government of Goa |access-date=21 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525135649/http://www.goa.gov.in/pdf/goa-esurvey-2010-2011.pdf |archive-date=25 May 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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 transportation, usually motorised two-wheelers and small family cars.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

[[File:Goa Pilot Vehicle.JPG|thumb|Motorcycle taxi, or ''pilot'']]
Goa has four [[National Highway (India)|National 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. [[National Highway 4A (India)|NH-4A]] running across the state connects the capital Panaji to [[Belgaum]] in east, linking Goa to cities in the [[Deccan]]. The NH-366 (ex [[National Highway 17A (India)|NH-17A]]) connects NH-66 to [[Mormugao]] Port from Cortalim. The new NH-566 (ex NH-17B) is a four-lane highway connecting 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 {{convert|224|km|mi|abbr=on|0}} of national highways, {{Convert|232|km|mi|abbr=on|0}} of state highway and {{convert|815|km|abbr=off}} of district highway. National 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 exemption that allows narrow national highways. In Kerala, highways are {{convert|45|m|abbr=off}} wide. In other states National Highways are grade separated highways {{convert|60|m|abbr=off}} wide with a minimum of four lanes, as well as 6 or 8 lane access-controlled expressways.<ref>[http://www.digitalgoa.com/ca_disp.php?id=1428 Goa, Goa Breaking News] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304100727/http://www.digitalgoa.com/ca_disp.php?id=1428 |date=4 March 2014 }}. DigitalGoa.com (31 August 2010). Retrieved 28 July 2013</ref><ref>[http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/highway-authority-projects-hit-road-block-in-kerala-goa-bengal-112031100019_1.html Highway authority projects hit road block in Kerala, Goa, Bengal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104061816/http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/highway-authority-projects-hit-road-block-in-kerala-goa-bengal-112031100019_1.html |date=4 November 2013 }}. Business Standard (11 March 2012). Retrieved 28 July 2013</ref>

Hired forms of transport include unmetered taxis and, in urban areas, [[auto rickshaws]]. Another form of transportation 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 negotiated. Other than buses, "pilots" tend to be the cheapest mode of transport.<ref name="Abram2004">{{cite book|first=David|last=Abram|title=The Rough Guide to Goa |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GGZRtj4OnccC&pg=PA35|access-date=16 December 2012|edition=5th|year=2004|publisher=Rough Guides|isbn=978-1-84353-081-7|page=35|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527190325/http://books.google.com/books?id=GGZRtj4OnccC&pg=PA35|archive-date=27 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> River crossings in Goa are serviced by flat-bottomed [[ferry]] boats, operated by the river navigation department.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

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

*[[Nagpur–Goa Expressway]]: Proposed, to be completed by 2028/29.<ref>{{cite news|title=Nagpur-Goa expressway to come up to reduce travel time: Fadnavis|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/nagpur-goa-expressway-to-come-up-to-reduce-travel-time-fadnavis-8170887/|work=The Indian Express|date=24 September 2022|access-date=11 March 2023|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=All about Nagpur - Goa Expressway|url=https://timesproperty.com/news/post/nagpur-goa-expressway-details-blid3908|work=[[The Times of India|Times Property]]|date=15 February 2023|access-date=11 March 2023|language=en-IN}}</ref>
*Konkan Expressway: Proposed.<ref>{{cite news|title=CM now aims for Konkan expressway|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/cm-now-aims-for-konkan-expressway-101671218411627.html|work=Hindustan Times|date=17 December 2022|access-date=13 March 2023|language=en}}</ref>

=== Rail ===
[[File:Margao railwaystation.JPG|thumb|left|Margao railway station]]
Goa has two [[Rail transport|rail lines]] – one run by the South Western Railway and the other by the [[Konkan Railway]]. The line run by the [[South Western Railway zone|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 connecting major cities on the western coast.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

===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 till the coastal city of [[Karwar]] in [[Karnataka]], close to the Kanataka-Goa border.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Shah, Reeta|title=Goa plans for metro rail line from North to South Goa|url=https://www.metrorailnews.in/goa-plans-for-metro-rail-line-from-north-to-south-goa/|work=The Metro Rail News|date=29 August 2018|access-date=13 March 2023|language=en}}</ref>

=== Skybus Metro ===
[[File:Skybus at Station.jpg|thumb|Skybus Metro car at a station]]
Indian scientist B. Rajaram started the ambitious [[Skybus Metro]] project under the [[Konkan Railway Corporation]] 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 objective was to minimise urban congestion by offering a quick and effective urban transportation alternative.

Despite its promise, the [[project]] encountered some obstacles, like as safety issues after a 2004 test run disaster. The idea ultimately faced shelving despite its early promise and creative approach to urban transportation.

Although the Skybus did not succeed, the idea demonstrated India's desire to investigate other forms of [[transport]]ation, 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 international 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 [[Steamboat|steamers]] between Goa and Mumbai till the late 1980s. There was also a short-lived catamaran service linking Mumbai and Panaji operated by Damania Shipping in the 1990s.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

== Education ==
{{Main|Education in Goa}}

{{See also|List of institutions of higher education in Goa}}
<gallery mode="packed" heights="134">
File:Goa University, Goa.jpg|[[Goa University]]
File:Carmel's College for Women, Nuvem, Goa, India.jpg|Carmel College for Women, established more than 50 years ago to address the education gender gap, is affiliated to Goa University.
File:GMC building.jpg|[[Goa Medical College]], previously called ''Escola Médico–Cirúrgica de Goa''
</gallery>
Goa had India's earliest educational institutions built with European support. The Portuguese set up seminaries for religious education and parish schools for elementary education. Founded {{Circa|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 institution in Asia. It housed the first printing press in India and published the first books in 1556.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Chatterjee |first1=Rimi B. |date=22 May 2011 |title=Five Centuries of Print |url=https://www.himalmag.com/cover/five-centuries-of-print-2011 |magazine=Himal South Asian |access-date=28 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Lanzillo |first1=Amanda |last2=Kumar |first2=Arun |date=24 June 2022 |title='The Workers Who Typed': The Labouring Stories of Book Production in Modern India |url=https://thewire.in/history/printing-press-modern-india-history-compositors-proofreaders |work=The Wire |access-date=28 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Noronha |first1=Frederick |date=22 July 2018 |title=When Goa Shaped India's Printing |url=https://www.navhindtimes.in/2018/07/22/magazines/panorama/when-goa-shaped-indias-printing/ |work=The Navhind Times |access-date=28 May 2024|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241007093524/https://www.navhindtimes.in/2018/07/22/magazines/panorama/when-goa-shaped-indias-printing/|archive-date=7 October 2024}}</ref>

Medical education 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).<ref>{{Cite web|title = MEDICAL EDUCATION CELL-GMC- BAMBOLIM GOA.|url = http://www.gmcmec.gov.in/|website = gmcmec.gov.in|access-date = 1 December 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160109164022/http://gmcmec.gov.in/|archive-date = 9 January 2016|url-status = live}}</ref> It houses the largest hospital in Goa and continues to provide medical training to this day.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

According to the 2011 census, Goa has a [[literacy rate]] of 87%, with 90% of males and 84% of females being literate.<ref name="LitRate">{{cite web |url=http://educationforallinindia.com/page157.html |title=District-specific Literates and Literacy Rates, 2001 |access-date=18 July 2007 |publisher=Education for all in India |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070709081028/http://www.educationforallinindia.com/page157.html |archive-date=9 July 2007 |url-status=live  }}</ref> 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 Education]], whose syllabus is prescribed by the state education department. There are also a few schools that subscribe to the all-India [[Indian Certificate of Secondary Education|ICSE]] syllabus or the [[National Institute of Open Schooling|NIOS]] syllabus. Most students in Goa complete their high school with English as the medium of instruction. 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 education. Per a report published in ''[[The Times of India]]'', 84% of Goan primary schools were run without an administrative head.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/84-Goa-schools-without-heads/articleshow/4363801.cms |title=No Administrative head |access-date=6 April 2009 |work=The Times of India |first1=Gauree |last1=Malkarnekar |date=6 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090902072435/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/84-Goa-schools-without-heads/articleshow/4363801.cms |archive-date=2 September 2009 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

Some notable schools in Goa include [[Sharada Mandir]] School in [[Miramar, Panaji|Miramar]], [[Loyola High School (Goa)|Loyola High School]] in Margao and [[The King's School, Goa|The King's School]] in [[São José de Areal]]. After ten years of schooling, students join a Higher Secondary school, which offers courses in popular streams such as [[Science]], [[Liberal Arts|Arts]], [[Law]], and [[Commerce]]. A student may also opt for a course in vocational studies. Additionally, 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.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

There are six [[engineering]] colleges in the state. [[Goa Engineering College]] and [[National Institute of Technology Goa]] are government-funded colleges whereas the private engineering colleges include Don Bosco College of Engineering at Fatorda, Shree Rayeshwar Institute of Engineering and Information Technology at Shiroda, Agnel Institute of Technology, and Design (AITD), Assagao, Bardez and [[Padre Conceicao College of Engineering]] at Verna. In 2004, [[BITS Pilani]] one of the premier institutes in India, inaugurated its second campus, the [[Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani&nbsp;– Goa Campus|BITS Pilani Goa Campus]], at Zuarinagar near [[Dabolim]]. The Indian Institute of Technology Goa (IIT Goa) began functioning from its temporary campus, located in Goa Engineering College since 2016. The site for permanent campus was finalised in Cotarli, [[Sanguem]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/cotarli-land-for-iit-goa-gets-centres-approval/articleshow/64725207.cms|title=Cotarli land for IIT Goa gets Centre's approval|work=The Times of India|access-date=4 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720134236/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/cotarli-land-for-iit-goa-gets-centres-approval/articleshow/64725207.cms|archive-date=20 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

There are colleges offering [[pharmacy]], [[architecture]] and [[dentistry]] along with numerous private colleges offering [[law]], [[liberal arts|arts]], [[commerce]] and [[science]]. There are also two National Oceanographic Science related centres: the [[National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research]] in Vasco da Gama and the [[National Institute of Oceanography, India|National Institute of Oceanography]] in [[Dona Paula]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} [[Goa Institute of Management]] located at Sanquelim, near Panaji is one of India's premier business schools.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} In addition to the engineering colleges, there are government polytechnic institutions in [[Government Polytechnic, Panaji|Panaji]], [[Bicholim]] and [[Curchorem]], and aided institutions like Father Agnel Polytechnic in Verna and the Institute of Shipbuilding Technology in Vasco da Gama which impart technical and vocational training.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dtegoa.gov.in/diploma.html |title=Diploma institutes and courses |access-date=4 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130118223125/http://dtegoa.gov.in/diploma.html |archive-date=18 January 2013 }}</ref>

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 Parvatibai Chowgule College]], Dhempe College, Damodar College, M. E. S. College of Arts & Commerce, S. S. Samiti'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 instruction is offered in many schools in Goa, largely private ones. In some cases, Goan students do student exchange programs in [[Portugal]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

== Media and communication ==
{{Main|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 printing press in Goa was founded in 1556.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://goaprintingpress.gov.in/about-e-gazettes/about-us/ | title=About-us – Government Printing Press & Stationery, Govt of Goa, India }}</ref> In 1886, Tipografia Rangel, one of the pioneers in widescale publishing was founded.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pereira |first=Andrew |date=28 September 2014 |title=Etching its name on the pages of history &#124; Goa News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Etching-its-name-on-the-pages-of-history/articleshow/43656243.cms |website=The Times of India}}</ref> Prior to this the only existing presses were those of the government and individual family presses existing to print the political newspapers such as [[Francisco João da Costa|O Ultramar]]. Tipografia Rangel was among the leaders in providing print media to a larger section of society in Goa.<ref>{{cite thesis| last=Pendse | first=Liladhar Ramchandra | title=19th Century Periodicals of Portuguese India: An Assessment of Documentary Evidence and Indo-Portuguese Identity. | via=eScholarship |year=2013 | url=https://escholarship.org/uc/item/9nm6x7j8 |publisher=UCLA}}</ref>

[[File:Dr_Jaime_Portrait.jpg|thumb|[[Jaime Valfredo Rangel]], Director of Tipografia Rangel]]

Goa is served by almost all [[television channel]]s available in India. Channels are received through cable in most parts of Goa. In the interior regions, channels are received via [[satellite dish]]es. [[Doordarshan]], the national television broadcaster, has two free terrestrial channels on air. Television broadcasts ([[DD Panaji|DD Goa]]) began in 1982.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://doordarshangoa.gov.in/|title=Doordarshan Goa – Welcome to Doordarshan Kendra, Panaji, Goa, India|website=doordarshangoa.gov.in|access-date=21 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321193135/http://doordarshangoa.gov.in/|archive-date=21 March 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

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 broadcasting|FM]] and [[AM broadcasting|AM]] bands. Two AM channels are broadcast, the primary channel at 1287&nbsp;kHz and the Vividh Bharati channel at 1539&nbsp;kHz. AIR's FM channel is called FM Rainbow and is broadcast at 105.4&nbsp;MHz. A number of private FM radio channels are available, [[Big FM (Indian radio station)|Big FM]] at 92.7&nbsp;and [[Radio Indigo]] at 91.9&nbsp;MHz. There is also an educational radio channel, [[Gyan Vani]], run by [[IGNOU]] broadcast from Panaji at 107.8&nbsp;MHz. In 2006, St Xavier's College, Mapusa, became the first college in the state to launch a campus community radio station "Voice of Xavier's".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.asiawaves.net/india/goa-radio.htm|title=Goa Radio Stations on FM and mediumwave|website=asiawaves.net|access-date=21 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322015239/http://www.asiawaves.net/india/goa-radio.htm|archive-date=22 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

Major cellular service operators include [[Bharti Airtel]], [[Vodafone Essar]], [[Idea Cellular]] (merged with Vodafone in 2018), [[Telenor]], [[Reliance Infocomm]], [[Tata DoCoMo]], [[BSNL]] [[CellOne]] and [[Jio]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

Local publications include the [[English language]] ''[[O Heraldo]]'' (Goa's oldest, once a Portuguese language paper), ''The Gomantak Times'' and ''[[The Navhind Times]]''. In addition 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 publication from Goa itself, serving the local population 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 publications in the state include ''Planet Goa'' (English, monthly), ''[[Goa Today]]'' (English, monthly), ''Goan Observer'' (English, weekly), ''[[Vauraddeancho Ixtt]]'' ([[Konkani in the Roman script|Roman-script Konkani]], weekly) ''Goa Messenger'', ''Vasco Watch'', ''Gulab'' (Konkani, monthly), ''Bimb'' (Devanagari-script Konkani).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.w3newspapers.com/india/goa/|title=Goa Newspapers and News Sites|website=w3newspapers.com|access-date=21 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321192743/https://www.w3newspapers.com/india/goa/|archive-date=21 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

One [[electronic mailing list]] that is based in Goa is [[Goanet]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=10 useful Goa websites {{!}}|url=https://goastreets.com/10-usefull-goa-website/|access-date=16 June 2021|website=goastreets.com|date=13 June 2013 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20131023223202/http://www.goastreets.com/10-usefull-goa-website/|archive-date=23 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Rajan|first=Nalini|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VvaHAwAAQBAJ&dq=goanet&pg=PP1|title=21st Century Journalism in India|date=7 March 2007|publisher=SAGE Publications India|isbn=978-81-321-0118-5|language=en}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=June 2021}}

== Sports ==
{{Further|Goans in sports}}[[File:Fatorda Stadium.jpg|thumb|left|[[Fatorda Stadium]]]]
[[Association football]] is the most popular sport in Goa and is embedded in Goan culture as a result of the Portuguese influence.<ref name="Mills">{{cite journal |doi= 10.1080/714004840 |last= Mills |first= James|s2cid= 143324581 |date=Summer 2001 |title=Football in Goa: Sport, Politics and the Portuguese in India |journal=Soccer & Society |volume=2 |issue=2 |pages=75–88 }}</ref> Its origins in the state are traced back to 1883 when the visiting Irish priest Fr. William Robert Lyons established the sport as part of a "Christian education".<ref name="Mills" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.goa-fa.com/node/45 |title= Goan football has little cause to look back|access-date=19 July 2007 |publisher = Goa Football Association |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928191006/http://www.goa-fa.com/node/45 |archive-date = 28 September 2007}}</ref> On 22 December 1959, the ''Associação de Futebol de Goa'' was formed, which continues to administer the game in the state under the new name [[Goa Football Association]].<ref name="Mills" /> Goa, along with [[West Bengal]], [[Kerala]] and [[Northeast India]]<ref name="Mills" /> is the locus of football in India and is home to many football clubs in the national [[I-League]]. The state's football powerhouses include [[Salgaocar F.C.|Salgaocar]], [[Dempo S.C.|Dempo]], [[Churchill Brothers]], [[Vasco S.C.|Vasco]], [[Sporting 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://content-www.cricinfo.com/india/content/ground/58301.html |title=Nehru stadium |access-date=19 July 2007 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221025415/http://content-www.cricinfo.com/india/content/ground/58301.html |archive-date=21 February 2009 |url-status=live  }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football-fifa-u17-world-cup/fifa-u-17-world-cup-goa-stadium-handed-over-to-fifa-4859596/|title=FIFA U-17 World Cup: Goa stadium handed over to FIFA|date=25 September 2017|work=The Indian Express|access-date=21 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321192703/http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football-fifa-u17-world-cup/fifa-u-17-world-cup-goa-stadium-handed-over-to-fifa-4859596/|archive-date=21 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/goa-proud-to-host-fifa-u-17-womens-world-cup-says-sports-director-ajay-gaude|title="Goa proud to host FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup" says sports director Ajay Gaude|work=[[All India Football Federation|TheAIFF]]|date=26 October 2022|access-date=11 July 2023}}</ref>

A number of Goans have represented India in football and six of them, namely [[Samir Naik]], [[Climax Lawrence]], [[Brahmanand Sankhwalkar]], [[Bruno Coutinho (footballer, born 1969)|Bruno Coutinho]], [[Mauricio Afonso]] and Roberto Fernandes have all captained the national team. Goa has its own [[Goa football team|state football team]] and league, the [[Goa Football League#Goa Professional League|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, particularly of the football teams from Portugal (Benfica, Sporting), and Brazil especially during major football events such as the European Cup and the World Cup championships. The Portuguese footballer [[Ronaldo (Portuguese footballer)|Ronaldo]] and Brazilian [[Neymar]], are revered superstar football players in Goa.{{Citation needed|date=February 2022}}

Goa also has its own [[Goa cricket team|cricket team]]. [[Dilip Sardesai]] and [[Shikha Pandey]] remain the only Goans to date to play international cricket for [[Indian cricket team|India]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mail-archive.com/goanet@lists.goanet.org/msg15601.html |title=[Goanet&#93; Goa Govt. institutes award in memory of Dilip Sardesai |publisher=Mail-archive.com |date=8 August 2007 |access-date=18 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513065907/http://www.mail-archive.com/goanet@lists.goanet.org/msg15601.html |archive-date=13 May 2013 |url-status=live  }}</ref> Another Goan cricketer, [[Suyash Prabhudessai]] was selected by the [[Royal Challengers Bangalore]] for a base price of {{INR|20 lakh}} in [[IPL]] 2021 and for {{INR|30 lakh}} in IPL 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=IPLT20.com - Indian Premier League Official Website |url=https://www.iplt20.com/ |access-date=26 November 2022 |website=iplt20.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |first=Paresh |last=Mokani |date=19 February 2021 |title=RCB pick up Suyash for 20 lakh|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/rcb-pick-up-suyash-for-20-lakh/articleshow/81099932.cms |access-date=4 May 2022 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>

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 competing are countries that are members of the CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries), but some are countries with significant Portuguese communities or have a history with Portugal. This event is similar in concept to the Commonwealth Games (for members of the Commonwealth of Nations) and the Jeux de la Francophonie (for the Francophone community).{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}

== Notable people ==
{{Main|List of people from Goa}}

==Organised crime==
{{excerpt|Organised crime in India|Organised crime in Goa}}

== See also ==
* [[Konkan]]
* [[LGBT rights in Goa]]
* [[Portuguese Goa and Damaon]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

=== Sources ===
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite book
|title=Essays in Goan history
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ruTu9oaUgUgC
|last=de Souza
|first=Teotonio R.
|author-link=Teotonio de Souza
|year=1989
|publisher=Concept Publishing Company
|isbn=978-81-7022-263-7
|access-date=24 August 2009
}}
*{{cite book
|title=Goa Through the Ages: An economic history
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dwYDPnEjTb4C
|last=de Souza
|first=Teotonio R.
|author-link=Teotonio de Souza
|year=1990
|publisher=Concept Publishing Company
|issue=6
|series=Goa University publication
|volume=2
|isbn=978-81-7022-259-0
|access-date=25 August 2009
}}
{{refend}}

== Further reading ==
* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Goa | volume= 12 |last= Jayne | first= Kingsley Garland | pages = 159&ndash;161 |short= 1}}
* Andrada (undated). ''The Life of Dom John de Castro: The Fourth Vice Roy of India''. Jacinto Freire de Andrada. Translated into English by Peter Wyche. (1664). Henry Herrington, New Exchange, London. Facsimile edition (1994) AES Reprint, New Delhi. {{ISBN|81-206-0900-X}}.

== External links ==
{{Sister project links|voy=Goa}}
; Government
* [https://www.goa.gov.in/ Government of Goa]
* [http://www.goatourism.gov.in/ Department of Tourism]

; General information

* {{OSM relation|1997192}}

{{Geographic location
|Centre = Goa
|North = [[Maharashtra]]
|Northeast =[[Maharashtra]]
|East = [[Karnataka]]
|Southeast = [[Karnataka]]
|South =[[Karnataka]]
|Southwest =[[Arabian Sea]]
|West = [[Arabian Sea]]
|Northwest =[[Arabian Sea]]
}}
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