The governor not elected by the people but appointed by the central government as its representative is at the apex of the state pyramid in Goa. In his name and with his authority all the government administrative actions are carried out. He resides near Panaji at the Governor's Palace or Cabo Raj Bhavan.

The state assembly that is unicameral (single house) having strength of 40 'Members of Legislative Assembly' (MLAs) elected from all over Goa, is situated across the Mandovi River from Panaji. The assembly is a legislative body to which the government as a whole is accountable to and that keeps a check on the government and makes laws for that state.

After the state elections the government invites the leader of the party to become the chief minister that has the largest number of MLAs. A leader tries to form a coalition government with MLAs of other political parties if he doesn't have enough MLAs to ensure a majority in the assembly.

Though in the name of the governor all government acts are carried out, he is bound by the advice of the chief minister who is the real power center. As long as the government has majority in the assembly it lasts, as it has no fixed tenure. The government falls with a simple majority by the assembly if a no confidence motion is passed. Elections to the state assembly are supposed to be held every five years.

Goa has two administrative districts North and South, each of which is headed by a District Magistrate (DM). The police chief is called the Superintendent of Police and these are responsible to the elected government. The districts are further subdivided into talukas. The north district has six divisions Pernem, Bardez, Tiswadi, Bicholim, Ponda, and Sattari and the South district has a five Mormugao, Margao, Quepem, Sanguem and Canacona.

The panchayats that represent one or two villages are at the lowest level of governance. A panchayat that is divided into many wards is headed by a surpanch who is elected by a 'panch' (member). The panch is elected by each of the many wards. The people of an electoral district made up of five or six panchayats elect the MLA to the state assembly.

At New Delhi in the National Parliament three 'Member of Parliament' (MPs) represent Goa - one for Rajya Sabha (upper house) and two for Lok Sabha (lower house).