Altinho, February 17, 2026: The Goa Government has introduced Goa’s Digital Assistant – an AI-powered Chatbot (Beta version) designed to enhance citizen service delivery and simplify access to government services. The initiative has been launched by the Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications (DITE&C) in collaboration with Goa Electronics Limited.
The AI Chatbot has been developed to make government services easy to understand, easy to access and easy to use. Acting as a single digital assistant, it enables citizens to interact with Goa Online Services through simple, conversational language, eliminating the need to navigate complex portals or make physical visits to government offices.
The chatbot is expected to streamline user experience by guiding citizens through service-related queries, procedures and documentation requirements in a structured yet user-friendly manner. By integrating artificial intelligence into public service delivery, the Goa Government aims to improve efficiency, accessibility and responsiveness in governance.
The launch of the Beta version marks a step forward in Goa’s digital transformation journey, reflecting the state’s commitment to leveraging technology for smarter governance and enhanced public engagement.
The COVID-19 pandemic underscored a pressing reality for governments worldwide—the need for efficient, contactless, and accessible public services. In Goa, this urgency propelled GoaOnline from a functional e-Governance platform into the state’s digital backbone for citizen services.
Although GoaOnline existed before the pandemic, the crisis accelerated its adoption and expanded its scope. Designed as a single-window digital platform, GoaOnline allows citizens to access government services anytime, anywhere—eliminating the need for physical visits to government offices. From application submission to final service delivery, the entire process is conducted online, ensuring transparency and convenience.
To date, the platform has processed nearly 19.9 lakh service requests, with over 9 lakh citizens completing more than 11 lakh digital transactions. These numbers firmly position GoaOnline as a national benchmark in citizen-centric governance.
GoaOnline currently offers over 265 e-services across 41 government departments. These include essential services such as income and caste certificates, labour welfare scheme registrations, health-related No Objection Certificates (NOCs), and various utility services—covering almost every major citizen requirement.
Recognising that digital access must be inclusive, the Goa government introduced Gramin Mitras, who provide door-to-door assistance, especially in rural and senior citizen communities. For residents like Sheetal Malik from Sankhali, this initiative has been life-changing. Unable to walk to government offices, she received doorstep assistance to obtain her Life Certificate. “The experience was good, and I felt supported,” she shared.
Behind the scenes, GoaOnline is powered by integrated backend systems across departments. This integration eliminates data duplication, reduces processing time, and improves service accuracy. Citizens can track applications in real-time, upload and verify documents digitally, while departmental dashboards enable effective monitoring and governance.
The initiative has gained momentum under the leadership of Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, who emphasised its larger vision. “GoaOnline is not just a portal—it’s a promise of efficient governance, where technology bridges the gap between citizens and the state,” he remarked.
Looking ahead, the platform is evolving further. The Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C) is working on mobile-first upgrades, chatbot support, and AI-driven features to help citizens quickly identify relevant services—enhancing user experience and expanding digital inclusion.
By blending technology with a citizen-first mindset and strong interdepartmental coordination, Goa has redefined how governance can function in a digital era. GoaOnline is more than a portal—it represents a systemic shift toward effortless, inclusive, and transparent governance in a digitally empowered India.
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has unveiled its first-ever official Aadhaar mascot, named UDAI, in a move aimed at making Aadhaar-related communication simpler and more citizen-friendly. The mascot was launched during a UIDAI event held in Thiruvananthapuram.
According to UIDAI officials, UDAI has been designed as a friendly and approachable guide to help people better understand Aadhaar services, especially those who often find the system complex or confusing. With Aadhaar being a crucial identity document linked to multiple government schemes and services, clear communication has become increasingly important.
The introduction of UDAI is expected to bridge the information gap by presenting Aadhaar-related messages in a more relatable and easily understandable manner. The mascot will be used across awareness campaigns, digital platforms, and outreach initiatives to educate citizens about enrollment, updates, authentication, and security practices.
UIDAI stated that the initiative aligns with its broader goal of inclusive digital governance, ensuring that Aadhaar services are accessible to all sections of society, including senior citizens, first-time users, and people in remote areas.
With UDAI stepping in as Aadhaar’s friendly face, UIDAI hopes to enhance public trust and make navigating Aadhaar services a smoother experience for millions of Indians.
Across the coastal villages and inland communities of Goa, Common Service Centres are quietly reshaping how citizens interact with government systems. For many residents, especially in rural areas, accessing official documents or welfare schemes once meant repeated visits to distant offices, long waiting times, and uncertainty. Today, CSCs are changing that experience by placing essential services right within village panchayats, making governance more approachable and efficient.
The CSC initiative in Goa draws strength from the national Digital India Programme launched by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India. Recognising the unique needs of local communities, the state government adapted this framework through the Gramin Mitra Yojana, implemented by the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Government of Goa. This adaptation ensures that digital governance is not just technologically sound but also socially inclusive and locally relevant.
At the heart of this system are the Village Level Entrepreneurs, or VLEs, who serve as the human interface between citizens and digital services. These local entrepreneurs play a critical role by guiding residents through online processes, assisting those unfamiliar with digital platforms, and ensuring that services remain accessible to everyone, regardless of age or digital literacy. Their presence adds trust and reassurance, turning technology into a supportive tool rather than a barrier.
The growing usage of CSCs reflects the trust citizens are placing in these centres. Between 1st April 2025 and 10th September 2025, over 30,000 transactions were successfully completed through 351 active VLEs operating across 191 village panchayats. With registered CSCs already functioning and additional centres in the pipeline, the network continues to expand, extending its reach to more communities across the state.
CSCs offer a wide range of services designed around everyday needs. Citizens can apply for Aadhaar and PAN cards, obtain birth and marriage certificates, access land records, apply for licenses, and seek pension-related assistance, all at a single, familiar location. This consolidation of services not only saves time but also reduces the stress often associated with navigating complex administrative systems.
Goa’s CSC initiative stands as a strong example of how technology, when combined with responsive governance and community participation, can transform public service delivery. By making services local, transparent, and user-friendly, CSCs are helping bridge the digital divide, strengthening trust in institutions, and ensuring that governance truly reaches every citizen’s doorstep.
Panjim, June 28: In many parts of rural Goa, accessing government services often meant long waits, repeated visits, and missed workdays. Today, that is changing.
Through the Gramin Mitra Yojana by the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (ITE&C), Government of Goa, essential public services are now being delivered directly to citizens’ homes. The initiative has made it easier for senior citizens, women, and students to obtain important documents and access government schemes without the hassle of travel.
By focusing on remote and rural areas, Gramin Mitra is bridging the digital divide while contributing to social and economic development in rural Goa.
Whether it’s obtaining residence, EWS, or caste certificates, or applying for the Kala Samman Scheme for senior artists, services that once required multiple trips to Panchayats and government offices can now be accessed from the comfort of home.
Sneha Salgaokar, a resident of Sankhali, who availed services for her father, shared, “Earlier we had to visit the Panchayat repeatedly and face delays. Now, through Gramin Mitra, the documents come to us. It’s smooth and has made life easier.”
Sheetal Malik, an elderly resident from Sankhali, said, “I am unable to walk, so visiting government offices was not possible for me. Thanks to Gramin Mitra, the team came home and helped me get my Life Certificate. The experience was good, and I felt supported.”
The service operates through CSC e-Governance and is supported by a dedicated call centre (14471), available seven days a week from 8 AM to 8 PM. Citizens can initiate requests easily without facing digital barriers, making it accessible for all.
In 2024, CSC (VLEs) recorded over 1.15 lakh service requests through Gramin Mitra. By mid-2025, more than 25,000 transactions have already been completed, reflecting growing trust and demand for doorstep governance.
Mr. Nandraj Naik, a beneficiary from Pernem, said, “I received both my Divergence and Residence Certificates smoothly. Gramin Mitra has saved us time and made us feel more connected to governance.”
From North to South Goa, Gramin Mitra is bridging the digital divide and making public services inclusive and accessible to all. What’s taking shape here is more than digital innovation—it’s governance becoming visible, accessible, and embedded in everyday life.
As Goa continues to build its identity as a hub for IT, startups, and inclusive innovation, initiatives like Gramin Mitra demonstrate how governance is becoming simpler, more responsive, and closely aligned with the needs of its people.
