The caste system in Goa consists of various Jātis or sub-castes found among Hindus belonging to the four varnas (Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra), as well as those outside of them. A variation of the traditional Hindu caste system was also retained by the Goan Catholic community.

According to the Gazetteer of India, Union Territory: Goa, Daman and Diu, Part I, published in 1979 the 'chief castes' found in Goa are:

Kshatriyas of Goa historically belonged to different clans, and they were collectively referred to as Chardo prior to the Portuguese rule in Goa.

Historian and Journalist B.D. Satoskar has cited Shenoi Goembab Konkani Author and Grammerian had said that "The Konkani word Chardo comes from the Sanskrit word Chatur-Rathi & the Prakrit word Chau-radi literally means The one who rides a chariot yoked with four horses, like Maha-Rathi for the origin of the word 'Maratha'.Chatur-rathi have entered Goa through Dwaraka & Cheddis."

The term Chardo fell into disuse among the Hindu Kshatriyas, in order to differentiate from those Kshatriyas who converted to Catholic Christianity. Later, the Hindus Kshatriyas began to identify themselves as Marathas of the Mahratta confederacy of the Deccan.

Vaishya/Vaishya Vani: are the traditional community of traders, and are commonly known as Vanis.

Daivadnya Brahmins are popularly known as Shetts, they mainly work as jewellers.They are Mahajan of Kasarpali Kalika devi Temple in Bicholim . They're Forward Caste

B.D. Satoskar notes that the Naik/Hetkari subcaste of the Bhandari community from the Konkan region served as naval warriors during the Maratha kingdom, with Mainak Bhandari being a notable naval commander. In later periods, members of this community also served in the British Army Called Bhandari Militia. Traditionally, their primary occupation has been toddy tapping. The Bhandari community is classified under the Other Backward Class (OBC) and is one of the largest social groups in Goa.