1 October 2026
A multi-State mock exercise on cyclone and induced disasters was conducted in Goa on October 1, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The exercise covered Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra.
It was coordinated by the South Goa District Disaster Management Authority at Margao and the Kushavati District Disaster Management Authority, with the State Disaster Management Authority, Goa, and the National Disaster Management Authority.
Sites in South Goa district included the Mormugao Port Authority in Mormugao taluka, the Bandekar College of Pharmacy at Farmagudi in Ponda taluka and Marksans Pharma Ltd at Verna Industrial Estate in Salcete taluka.
Sites in Kushavati district included Khairekhatem in Sanguem taluka, the Davkond bridge at Dudhsagar in Dharbandora taluka, a petrol pump in Quepem taluka and Palolem beach in Canacona taluka.
The drill focused on activation of the Early Warning System and on evacuation procedures.
Date of exercise:
October 1, 2026
Timing:
8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
States covered:
Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra
Why it matters for exams: Disaster management machinery and the names of Goa's districts and talukas are standard questions in State and Union civil services papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
DDMA District Disaster Management Authority — The district level authority set up under the Disaster Management Act to plan and coordinate response.
NDMA National Disaster Management Authority — The apex national body for disaster management policy and guidelines.
29 September 2026
The North Goa District Mineral Foundation Trust held its 17th governing council meeting on September 29, 2026.
North Goa Collector Ankit Yadav, IAS, chaired the meeting, which was attended by MLAs Premendra Shet and Dr Deviya Rane.
The council reviewed ongoing projects worth over ₹15 crore across skill development, education, healthcare and animal husbandry.
It sanctioned approximately ₹6 crore in fresh proposals.
The new approvals cover rooftop solar subsidies under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, scholarships for Mining Engineering students at Goa Engineering College, smart classrooms and a Digital Learning Centre at Government Polytechnic, Bicholim, and upgrades to the operating theatre and the TruNat room at CHC Bicholim.
The council also approved streamlined procedures for the timely implementation of District Mineral Foundation projects.
Meeting:
17th governing council meeting
Projects reviewed:
over ₹15 crore
Fresh proposals sanctioned:
approximately ₹6 crore
Why it matters for exams: District Mineral Foundations and the PM Surya Ghar Yojana are frequently asked, and this shows how mining royalty money is actually spent.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
DMF District Mineral Foundation — A trust in each mining-affected district funded by a share of mining royalty, for local welfare.
PM Surya Ghar Yojana Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Yojana — A central scheme that subsidises rooftop solar power for households.
25 September 2026
A 'Sarkar Tumchya Daari' camp was held at Shiroda gram panchayat on September 25, 2026, under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan.
Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant said the initiative aims to take government services to citizens so that people do not have to repeatedly visit government offices.
Over two lakh applications have been received in Goa under the Ujjwala Yojana.
The camp promoted the Mhaje Ghar scheme, which regularises structures built before February 28, 2014, and certificates under it were distributed to eligible beneficiaries.
Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phal Dessai and Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar took part, with South Goa Collector Egna Cleetus, IAS, and Ponda Sub-Divisional Officer Kaushik Amonkar.
A foundation stone for a Ganesh Mandal hall was laid virtually at the event.
Ujjwala Yojana applications in Goa:
over two lakh
Mhaje Ghar cut-off:
February 28, 2014
Venue:
Shiroda gram panchayat
Why it matters for exams: Doorstep delivery drives and State regularisation schemes are standard governance questions, and the Mhaje Ghar cut-off date is a precise fact.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Mhaje Ghar Mhaje Ghar scheme — A Goa scheme to regularise houses built before a stated cut-off date.
Sarkar Tumchya Daari Sarkar Tumchya Daari — Goa's doorstep governance outreach, meaning 'government at your doorstep'.
29 September 2026
The Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights held a stakeholder convergence meeting at the Secretariat, Porvorim, on September 29, 2026.
Chairperson Shashikant K. Punaji chaired the meeting.
It was attended by representatives of the North Goa, South Goa and Kushavati district administrations, the police, the judiciary, the health department, District Child Protection Units, Child Welfare Committees, Juvenile Justice Boards, Special Juvenile Police Units, Child Helpline and the Victim Assistance Unit.
Discussion covered coordination between stakeholders, timely referral and response, information sharing, rehabilitation and support services under the Juvenile Justice, POCSO and Goa Children's Acts.
The chairperson said child protection is a shared responsibility and stressed addressing institutional gaps through clearly defined responsibilities.
The next such meeting is scheduled for January 6, 2027.
Body:
Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights
Venue:
Secretariat, Porvorim
Next meeting:
January 6, 2027
Why it matters for exams: State child rights commissions, the POCSO Act and Juvenile Justice machinery are repeated topics, and Goa has its own Children's Act.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
POCSO Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act — The central law dealing with sexual offences against children.
GSCPCR Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights — The State level statutory commission for children's rights in Goa.
Background
Goa became the 25th State of the Indian Union on 30 May 1987.
It was initially administered as a Union Territory and later conferred Statehood.
Goa Statehood Day is marked on 30 May.
The State has a 40-member Legislative Assembly, located on the Porvorim hillock overlooking the capital, Panaji.
Statehood conferred:
30 May 1987
Order among States:
25th
Legislative Assembly strength:
40
Capital:
Panaji
Why it matters for exams: State formation order and the capital and legislature of each State are staple polity and general knowledge questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Union Territory Union Territory — An area administered by the Union Government rather than being a full State.
Background
The Goa, Daman and Diu Official Language Act, 1987 makes Konkani in the Devanagari script the sole official language of Goa.
It provides that Marathi may also be used for all or any of the official purposes.
The Goa Legislative Assembly passed the bill making Konkani the official language on 4 February 1987; the day is observed as Official Language Day.
Konkani was recognised in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution on 20 August 1992.
Konkani, Manipuri and Nepali were included in the Eighth Schedule in 1992.
The Schedule now lists 22 languages.
Official Language Act:
1987
Script:
Devanagari
Eighth Schedule recognition:
20 August 1992
Languages added with Konkani in 1992:
Manipuri, Nepali
Why it matters for exams: Official languages and Eighth Schedule additions are regular polity questions, and the sole-versus-Marathi qualifier is the examinable detail.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Eighth Schedule Eighth Schedule to the Constitution — It lists the languages officially recognised by the Constitution.
Background
The Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary at Mollem covers about 240 sq km of thick forest-clad slopes of the Western Ghats and its valleys, and contains the Molem National Park.
Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary admeasures 105 sq km and lies in Canacona taluka of South Goa district.
The Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is on Chorao island near Panaji, along the Mandovi river.
It is 1.78 sq km in area and fully covered with mangroves.
Bondla is also listed among the State's sanctuaries.
Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary area:
about 240 sq km
Cotigao area:
105 sq km
Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary area:
1.78 sq km
Why it matters for exams: Sanctuary names, locations and areas are frequent environment and general knowledge questions for State-wise papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Mangrove Mangrove — Salt-tolerant trees that grow along tidal coasts and estuaries.
Background
Churches and Convents of Goa figures in the Ministry of Culture list of India's World Heritage properties, with the year of inscription given as 1986.
The Archaeological Survey of India describes the churches and convents at Velha (Old) Goa.
The churches and cathedrals at Old Goa were built during the 16th to 17th century AD.
The group includes the Se Cathedral, the Basilica of Bom Jesus, the Church and Convent of St. Francis of Assisi, the Chapel of St. Catherine, the Church of Lady of Rosary and the Church of St. Augustine.
The Basilica of Bom Jesus is made of black granite.
Year of inscription (Ministry of Culture list):
1986
Location:
Old Goa
Built during:
16th to 17th century AD
Why it matters for exams: World Heritage sites by State and year of inscription are staple art and culture questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
ASI Archaeological Survey of India — The Union body that protects and maintains centrally protected monuments.
Background
A PIB feature from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting says the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) was founded in 1952.
The inaugural edition was held in Mumbai, and IFFI was organised by the Films Division under the Government of India.
From the 3rd edition in January 1965, IFFI became competitive.
In 2004 the festival found a permanent home in Goa, and has been organised there every year as a competitive event.
Founded:
1952
First edition organised by:
Films Division
Competitive from:
3rd edition
Moved to Goa:
2004
Why it matters for exams: Film festival hosts, founding years and organisers are common art, culture and general knowledge questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
IFFI International Film Festival of India — India's international film festival, now held in Goa.
Background
The District Mineral Foundation is a trust mechanism that directs a share of mining revenues to community welfare.
Its legal basis is an amendment to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
The DMF Trust in Goa was created in 2016.
Goa operates two District Mineral Foundation trusts: the North Goa DMF Trust, covering mining-affected areas including Bicholim and Sattari talukas, and the Kushavati DMF Trust, covering Quepem, Sanguem and Dharbandora talukas.
Funds are collected from mining leaseholders, who contribute a fixed percentage of their royalty payments.
The trusts work under the Department of Mines and Geology, Government of Goa, following Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana guidelines.
Legal basis:
amendment to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957
Created in Goa:
2016
Trusts:
North Goa DMF Trust and Kushavati DMF Trust
Why it matters for exams: The MMDR Act amendment, DMFs and the PMKKKY are a standard set, and Goa shows how the trusts are drawn on district lines.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
PMKKKY Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana — The central scheme that lays down how District Mineral Foundation funds are to be spent.
MMDR Act Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 — The central law governing mineral concessions and mining royalties in India.
Background
Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju was sworn in as the 22nd Governor of Goa on July 26, 2025.
The oath of office was administered by Justice Alok Aradhe, Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court.
The ceremony was held at the New Durbar Hall, Raj Bhavan, Dona Paula.
Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, the Council of Ministers, Members of Parliament and MLAs attended, along with Union Minister for Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu and Union Minister of State Shripad Naik.
Raju succeeded P. S. Sreedharan Pillai as Governor of Goa.
He had earlier served as Union Minister for Civil Aviation in 2014 and as an MLA in Andhra Pradesh.
Governor:
Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju, 22nd Governor of Goa
Oath administered by:
Justice Alok Aradhe, Chief Justice of Bombay High Court
Venue:
New Durbar Hall, Raj Bhavan, Dona Paula
Why it matters for exams: Who holds a State's Governorship, and who administers the oath, are direct one-mark questions in both Kerala PSC and UPSC prelims.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Raj Bhavan Raj Bhavan — The official residence of a State Governor; Goa's is at Dona Paula.
Background
The Kushavati district portal of the Government of Goa states that the district comprises four administrative talukas: Dharbandora, Sanguem, Quepem and Canacona.
The district covers a total geographical area of approximately 1,962.00 square kilometres, given also as 196,199.98 hectares.
It was constituted by Official Notification No. 16/29/1/2023-Rev-I/3259, dated December 31, 2025.
The portal lists the Zuari, Talpona, Sal and Galgibag among the rivers of the district.
Talukas:
Four
Area:
approximately 1,962.00 square kilometres
Notification:
No. 16/29/1/2023-Rev-I/3259, dated December 31, 2025
Why it matters for exams: New districts and the talukas placed under them are a standing question in State administration papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Taluka Taluka — A revenue sub-division of a district in Goa and several other States.