The Government of Goa celebrated the 40th Goa Statehood Day on 30 May 2026 at the Dinanath Mangeshkar Kala Mandir, Kala Academy, Panaji, with the Vice President of India Shri C P Radhakrishnan as the Chief Guest, joined by Governor Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant. The day marked exactly four decades since Goa became the 25th State of India on 30 May 1987 under the Constitution (Fifty-sixth Amendment) Act 1987, after a long political journey from Portuguese colonial rule, the 1961 liberation by the Indian Armed Forces and the 1987 statehood. The Vice President said he was delighted to make his first official visit to Goa on such a momentous occasion and called for sustainable coastal growth that protects ecology and indigenous Goan identity. Key highlights included the inauguration of the Padma Vibhushan Mario Miranda Exhibition, the release of the Mario Miranda Commemorative Postage Stamp and Special Cover marking the cartoonist centenary, and the launch of the coffee table book Goa Engineering the Next Era documenting the State infrastructure trajectory. The Chief Minister distributed appointment letters to newly selected Police Sub Inspectors, launched enhanced assistance under the Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana and felicitated dairy farmers under the Gopal Ratna Award Scheme. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu separately greeted the people of Goa, highlighting its progress in education, technology, startups and sustainable development.