Goa CM List (1987–2025), Tenures, Parties & Leadership History

Since 1963, the state has witnessed the leadership of 13 Chief Ministers of Goa. Although it attained full statehood in 1987, it functioned as a Union Territory, along with Daman and Diu prior to that. The First Chief Minister of Goa was Dayanand Bandodkar from the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, who assumed office before statehood was granted. He was later succeeded by his daughter, Shashikala Kakodkar, who holds the distinction of being the only woman to have served as Chief Minister of Goa.

Following Goa’s transition to statehood, Pratapsingh Rane from the Indian National Congress became Chief Minister and went on to serve multiple terms, amassing a total tenure of approximately 15 years, making him the longest-serving Chief Minister in Goa political history. The present Chief Minister, Dr. Pramod Sawant of the Bharatiya Janata Party, assumed office in 2019.

Chief Ministers of Goa

According to the Constitution of India, the Governor serves as the de jure (nominal) head of a state, while the Chief Minister functions as the de facto (executive) authority. In essence, the real powers of governance lie with the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers. Article 164 of the Indian Constitution governs the appointment of the Chief Minister and provides that the Governor shall appoint the Chief Minister. Over the years, Goa has experienced President’s Rule on three brief occasions due to political instability. The state’s political landscape has been predominantly shaped by two major national parties: the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress (INC).

List of Chief Ministers of Goa from 1987 to 2025

On 30 May 1987, the Union Territory of Goa, Daman, and Diu was officially bifurcated, resulting in Goa being granted full statehood as India’s twenty-fifth state. Following this transition, Daman and Diu continued to remain Union Territories. On the same day, Pratapsingh Rane of the Indian National Congress was sworn in as the First Chief Minister of Goa. Check out the table below to get the detailed List of Chief Ministers of Goa from 1987-2025:

Also Read: Chief Ministers of Telangana

Chief Ministers of Goa: Interesting Facts

1. Goa is prominently featured in ancient Hindu texts, particularly the Puranas, and is referred to by names such as Gove, Govapuri, and Gomant.
2. Medieval Arabian geographers identified the region as Sindabur or Sandabur.
3. The Portuguese later referred to it as Velha Goa, meaning Old Goa.
4. From the 2nd century CE to 1312, the region was ruled by the Kadamba dynasty.
5. Between 1312 and 1367, Goa came under the control of Muslim rulers from the Deccan.
6. The Vijayanagar Empire annexed Goa following the decline of Muslim rule.
7. In 1440, the Bahmani Sultanate took control and established the city of Old Goa on the island.
8. After the Bahmani Kingdom fragmented, Yusuf Adil Khan of Bijapur assumed power over Goa post-1482.
9. It was during Yusuf Adil Khan’s reign that Portuguese seafarers first arrived in India.
10. In March 1510, Portuguese general Afonso de Albuquerque captured the city from local rulers.
11. Goa subsequently became the capital of the Portuguese colonial empire in Asia.
12. The rise of Dutch naval power in India led to blockades of Goa in 1603 and 1639, though the city was not seized.
13. A severe epidemic struck Goa in 1635, causing significant loss and disruption.
14. In 1739, the Marathas launched an invasion; the timely arrival of a Portuguese viceroy with naval reinforcements prevented the capture.
15. The administrative headquarters were moved first to Mormugão (modern-day Marmagao) and later to Panjim (New Goa, now Panaji) in 1759.
16. On 3 September 1895, a significant revolt took place, leading to the deployment of an expeditionary force from Portugal.
17. This force was accompanied by Infante Affonso Henriques, Duke of Porto, who temporarily held gubernatorial powers from March to May 1896.