The Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C) has announced the launch of a statewide AI Hackathon as part of the Goa AI Mission 2027, marking a significant step towards integrating Artificial Intelligence into governance and public service delivery across the state.
The AI Hackathon aims to encourage the adoption of ethical and responsible Artificial Intelligence solutions to address real-world governance challenges. The initiative focuses on improving efficiency, transparency and citizen-centric service delivery by leveraging emerging technologies within government systems.
Under the programme, government departments, corporations, autonomous bodies and local authorities have been invited to submit problem statements based on their day-to-day operational challenges. These problem statements will identify areas where AI-based interventions can support automated verification processes, early identification of missing or incorrect information, and timely delivery of benefits to eligible citizens.
Following a detailed scrutiny and evaluation of the submitted problem statements, DITE&C will facilitate the development of AI-powered solutions tailored to the specific needs of departments. Selected solutions will be designed to enhance operational efficiency and strengthen service delivery mechanisms.
The Goa AI Hackathon builds on the success of the Goa Open Innovation Challenge 2025, which invited startups and student innovators to address high-impact governance challenges. The initiative received strong participation from across the country, reflecting growing interest in technology-driven public sector innovation.
Through initiatives such as the AI Hackathon, DITE&C continues to advance the vision of a digitally empowered Goa by fostering innovation, encouraging collaboration and integrating emerging technologies to improve public service delivery and governance outcomes.
In the land of golden shores and rising digital ambition, Goa is steadily carving its path toward becoming India’s Creative Capital and a thriving technology hub. The year 2025 proved to be a defining phase in this journey, with the Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications (DITE&C) leading a wave of innovation focused on connectivity, e-governance, infrastructure, skilling and startups.
Connectivity continued to form the backbone of Goa’s digital ambitions. The state significantly expanded its network of free public Wi-Fi to 135 hotspots across key public spaces, while the rollout of 4G and 5G towers gained momentum, ensuring faster and more reliable internet access for citizens, businesses and visitors. The Goa Broadband Network further strengthened this foundation by extending high-speed internet connectivity to 1,492 government offices, helping bridge the digital divide and enabling seamless digital service delivery.
E-governance witnessed major advancements, bringing government services closer to the people. The GoaOnline portal, offering 265 services across 41 departments, recorded over 11 lakh digital interactions in 2025, reflecting growing public trust in online service delivery. Complementing this, the Gramin Mitra Yojana, implemented through Common Service Centres, ensured essential digital services reached remote and rural communities, reinforcing transparent and people-centric governance.
Skilling emerged as a core focus area as Goa prepared its citizens for the future digital economy. The launch of the Goa AI Mission 2027 marked a transformative step, built on four pillars of skilling, startups and companies, capital, and infrastructure. An early milestone under this mission was the AI for Governance programme conducted in collaboration with the IndiaAI Mission, Google and the World Bank, which sensitised government officials to the practical use of artificial intelligence in governance and service delivery.
Digital literacy initiatives gained further momentum through programmes such as the Mahila Digital Shashaktikaran Scheme, aimed at empowering women through computer education. The department also continued its commitment to inclusive education by distributing laptops to 111 meritorious SC and ST students under the Free Laptop Distribution Scheme for the academic year 2024–25.
On the infrastructure front, significant progress was made at the Electronics Manufacturing Centre in Tuem, Pernem, with plots allotted to companies including Zen Technologies Limited and Powerland Agro Tractors Pvt. Ltd., strengthening Goa’s electronics and manufacturing ecosystem. The state also explored emerging technologies such as blockchain, facilitating dialogue between industry and academia, while engaging with global firms and a high-level Norwegian delegation to strengthen international collaborations.
DITE&C showcased Goa’s digital vision at major national platforms such as the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025 and the India Mobile Congress in New Delhi, highlighting the state’s technology initiatives and startup ecosystem. Goa’s startup landscape continued to flourish, with over 700 DPIIT-registered startups, including 328 women-led ventures. The revised Goa Startup Policy 2025 introduced 12 targeted schemes to support seed funding, mentorship, reimbursements and sustainable innovation.
Innovation challenges further energised the ecosystem, with the Goa Open Innovation Challenge attracting 557 participants who presented solutions to real-world governance and public service challenges. The department also signed key MoUs with Sarla Aviation Pvt. Ltd., the Digital India Bhashini Division and Maker’s Asylum, strengthening technology adoption, creative sectors and inclusive governance.
The launch of the #EmpoweredinGoa campaign encapsulated the spirit of 2025, celebrating an ecosystem where founders can innovate, students can skill up, women can lead, digital nomads can thrive and citizens can benefit from people-first governance. With high-speed connectivity, lifestyle advantages and improved infrastructure, Goa also emerged as a preferred destination for digital nomads and remote professionals.
As the state looks ahead to 2026, the groundwork laid in 2025 positions Goa for sustained growth and global recognition. With continued investments in digital infrastructure, innovation and skill development, Goa is well on its way to becoming one of India’s leading tech hubs while remaining inclusive, creative and community-driven.
Panaji, June 2025: Goa’s commitment to accessible, transparent, and efficient governance has found a powerful expression in GoaOnline, the state’s unified digital services platform. Under the leadership of Hon’ble Minister Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C) is driving Goa’s digital transformation through GoaOnline, a unified platform that brings government services to citizens’ fingertips
As of June 2025, GoaOnline has processed over 9.34 lakh service requests across more than 30 departments, marking a clear shift to digital-first governance. With 200+ services digitized, citizens can now apply for certificates, licenses, and permits online, significantly reducing the need for physical visits.
Among the top-performing departments includes:
Revenue Department: 4.45 lakh applications completed, primarily for income and caste certificates.
Labour & Employment: 3.16 lakh successfully processed applications for labour registrations, licenses, and welfare services
GIDC: 75,800 digital services delivered, including land allotment, NOCs, and business permissions
Health Services: Over 36,300 online completions for birth/death certificates and medical NOCs
These figures represent completed service transactions, highlighting both the scale of adoption and the successful delivery of services across departments.
Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, Hon’ble Minister for ITE&C, has consistently emphasized the importance of technology as an enabler of transparency, speed, and citizen empowerment. Under his leadership, DITE&C has not only scaled digital service delivery but has also pushed for local innovation, interoperability, and integration of backend processes across departments.
“GoaOnline is not just a portal—it’s a promise of efficient governance, where technology bridges the gap between citizens and the state,” said the Minister during a recent interaction.
To ensure last-mile access, Gramin Mitra extends GoaOnline to rural households, delivering services like certificates and subsidies directly to citizens’ doorsteps.
The data speaks volumes: With 9.34 lakh applications processed out of 9.54 lakh applications received and a strong focus on transparency and compliance, Goa is emerging as a national model for digital governance
The Department of ITE&C continues to innovate, with upcoming plans to expand service categories, launch mobile accessibility features, and integrate emerging technologies like AI-based service recommendations and chatbot support.
Goa is not just catching up—it’s leading India’s digital governance movement. With GoaOnline, the state has shown that even the smallest state can set the biggest benchmarks.
