Background: Verotoxin producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) such as O26, O103, O111, O145 and O157: H 7 are an important human zoonotic pathogen. Small ruminants such as goats are important reservoir of VTEC. The detection of VTEC and virulence genes in goats has not been studied in the Jabalpur region of Madhya Pradesh. The present study was carried out to determine the occurrence of verotoxin producing E. coli in goats in and around Jabalpur. Methods: During the study period (July 2019 to February 2020), a total of 50 rectal swabs were collected from diarrhoeic goats. All the samples were processed for bacteriological isolation, molecular confirmation of E. coli and presence of the VT1 gene in E. coli. Result: On cultural isolation, E. coli isolates were found in 52.00 per cent (26/50) samples. Out of them, 21 isolates confirmed as E. coli by PCR. Detection of verotoxin producing E. coli (VTEC) by slide agglutination test showed 20.00 per cent (10/50) verotoxin producing E. coli serogroups including O26, O103, O111, O145 and O157. A total of 10 VTEC isolates were subjected to molecular analysis, Polymerase chain reaction determined VT1 gene in 10.00 per cent of goats positive for verotoxin producing E. coli indicating the goats as a potential source for direct transmission of VTEC to humans.