1. BRICS क्या है? / What is BRICS?

BRICS is a grouping and diplomatic coordination forum of major emerging-market and developing countries. It provides a platform for cooperation on economic, financial, political, security, technological, developmental and people-to-people issues.

BRICS वर्तमान में 11 सदस्य देशों का समूह है:

The current official BRICS description lists these 11 countries as members. Brics

Exam Note: South Africa is the reason for the letter “S” in BRICS. It joined in 2011. Brics

*South Africa has multiple capitals; Pretoria is the administrative/executive capital.

---

2. BRICS नाम कहाँ से आया? / Origin of the Term BRIC

The term BRIC was coined in 2001 by Jim O’Neill, an economist at Goldman Sachs.

Originally, BRIC represented:

• B – Brazil
• R – Russia
• I – India
• C – China

It was initially an economic concept describing the growing importance of these emerging economies.

The political cooperation mechanism subsequently developed among the four countries. The first BRIC foreign ministers' meeting took place in 2006 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. Brics

Important distinction

2001 → BRIC term coined

2006 → BRIC political grouping/ministerial-level cooperation

2009 → First BRIC Leaders' Summit

2011 → South Africa joined → BRICS

---

3. First BRIC/BRICS Summit

First BRIC Summit – 2009

📍 Yekaterinburg, Russia
📅 16 June 2009

The four founding countries participated:

Brazil + Russia + India + China

The first summit took place against the background of the 2008 global financial crisis and discussed reform of the international financial architecture and greater representation of developing countries. Brics

Prelims Fact

First BRIC Summit → Yekaterinburg, Russia → 2009

---

4. South Africa and the “S” in BRICS

South Africa joined the grouping in 2011.

Therefore:

BRIC → BRICS

The addition of South Africa represented the first expansion of the original four-member grouping. Brics

Exam Trap

❌ South Africa was not a founding BRIC country.

✅ Founding countries: Brazil, Russia, India and China

✅ South Africa joined in 2011.

---

5. BRICS Expansion – 2024 onwards

A major expansion was decided at the Johannesburg BRICS Summit in 2023.

Six countries were associated with the expansion:

• Egypt
• Ethiopia
• Iran
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Argentina

However, Argentina did not become a BRICS member, while the other six were associated with the expansion process; Indonesia subsequently became a member, bringing the current membership to 11.

For current-affairs purposes in 2026, the official BRICS membership is:

Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Indonesia. Press Information Bureau

Important Current Affairs Point

The 2024 Kazan Summit was an important milestone in BRICS expansion and also established the BRICS Partner Country category. Brics

---

6. BRICS 2026 – सबसे महत्वपूर्ण तथ्य

BRICS Summit 2026 at a Glance

The official Indian sources confirm the dates, venue, theme and India's fourth Chairship. EoI Riyadh

---

7. 2026 Theme – RICS

India's BRICS 2026 theme:

“Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”

इसे चार प्रमुख priorities में समझें:

R – Resilience

सक्षमता / लचीलापन

Focus areas include:

• Health resilience
• Disaster preparedness
• Energy security
• Agriculture
• Supply-chain resilience
• Early warning systems

I – Innovation

नवाचार

Focus:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Start-ups
• MSMEs
• Digital Public Infrastructure
• Emerging technologies
• Science & Technology

C – Cooperation

सहयोग

Focus:

• Economic cooperation
• Trade
• Financial cooperation
• Global governance
• Development cooperation
• People-to-people exchanges

S – Sustainability

सतत विकास

Focus:

• Climate action
• Green finance
• Clean energy
• Sustainable development
• Environmental cooperation

India described these four priorities as a framework operating across the three foundational pillars of BRICS. HCI Maputo

---

8. BRICS के तीन प्रमुख Pillars

BRICS cooperation traditionally operates around three broad pillars:

1. Political & Security Cooperation

राजनीतिक एवं सुरक्षा सहयोग

Includes:

• International peace and security
• Counter-terrorism
• Multilateralism
• Global governance reform
• International security issues

2. Economic & Financial Cooperation

आर्थिक एवं वित्तीय सहयोग

Includes:

• Trade
• Investment
• Development finance
• Financial cooperation
• New Development Bank
• Local-currency cooperation

3. People-to-People / Cultural Cooperation

जन-से-जन एवं सांस्कृतिक सहयोग

Includes:

• Education
• Culture
• Youth
• Sports
• Tourism
• Academic exchanges

These three pillars remain central to BRICS cooperation. Brics

---

9. India’s BRICS Chairship 2026

India assumed the Chairship on:

1 January 2026

This was India's:

Fourth BRICS Chairship

Previous years:

• 2012
• 2016
• 2021
• 2026

India's approach was described as:

“Humanity First”

and a

people-centric approach

India organised more than 400 meetings and engagements in 30 cities during its 2026 Chairship, according to the New Delhi Declaration. PM India

---

10. 18th BRICS Summit – New Delhi Declaration

The leaders adopted the:

BRICS New Delhi Declaration 2026

The declaration reaffirmed:

• Mutual respect
• Sovereign equality
• Solidarity
• Inclusiveness
• Cooperation
• Consensus
• Sustainable development
• Inclusive growth
• Reform of multilateral institutions

It also emphasised strengthening BRICS cooperation under the three traditional pillars. PM India

---

11. Global Governance Reform

One of the most important areas for UPSC/HAS is reform of global governance institutions.

BRICS has consistently advocated greater representation for developing countries in institutions such as:

• United Nations
• UN Security Council
• IMF
• World Bank
• WTO

The 2026 discussions again emphasised a more representative and inclusive multilateral system. PM India

UPSC Concept

The central argument is that:

Global institutions created in an earlier geopolitical and economic era should better reflect the contemporary distribution of economic and political weight.

---

12. BRICS and Global South

BRICS is increasingly associated with cooperation among:

Global South countries

The concept of Global South broadly refers to developing and emerging economies, particularly countries seeking greater representation in international decision-making.

India's BRICS 2026 approach emphasised:

• Development
• Inclusive growth
• Greater representation
• Technology cooperation
• Sustainable development
• Voice of developing countries

The New Delhi Declaration specifically welcomed greater engagement with Emerging Markets and Developing Countries (EMDCs). PM India

---

13. BRICS Partner Countries

A very important distinction:

BRICS Member ≠ BRICS Partner

The partner-country category was developed following the Johannesburg process and was formally associated with BRICS during the 2024 Kazan Summit. Brics

Partner countries can participate in selected BRICS activities, subject to the applicable arrangements and consensus.

Exam Trap

If a question asks:

“Are all countries participating in BRICS meetings full members?”

Answer:

No. BRICS has members as well as partner countries/invitees.

---

14. New Development Bank – NDB

One of the most important BRICS institutions is:

New Development Bank (NDB)

Headquarters:

Shanghai, China

Established:

2014

Origin:

The NDB was created through the Fortaleza Summit, Brazil, 2014.

Its broad purpose is financing:

• Infrastructure
• Sustainable development
• Development projects

The 2014 Fortaleza Summit also established the Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA). Brics

Exam Comparison

---

15. BRICS and New Development Bank – Why Important?

The NDB is significant because BRICS countries sought to create financial mechanisms that complement existing institutions.

Static GK

NDB = New Development Bank

Earlier known as the:

BRICS Development Bank

Its establishment was one of the most important institutional outcomes of the 2014 Fortaleza Summit. Brics

---

16. BRICS and Artificial Intelligence – 2026

AI was an important component of the innovation agenda.

India emphasised:

• Responsible AI
• AI governance
• AI safety
• Digital technologies
• Authenticity of digital content
• Technology cooperation
• AI for development

The 2026 BRICS discussions also connected AI with agriculture, governance, health and other development sectors. PM India

Important Concept

AI governance means developing rules, standards and institutions to ensure that AI is:

• Safe
• Responsible
• Transparent
• Inclusive
• Accountable

---

17. BRICS Startup Innovation Fund

Under India's 2026 Chairship, emphasis was placed on strengthening start-up ecosystems.

Important initiatives include:

BRICS Incubator Network

and

BRICS Startup Innovation Fund

The objective is to improve connections between:

• Start-ups
• Incubators
• Investors
• Markets
• Innovation ecosystems

India also highlighted the BRICS MSME Portal and cooperation networks for businesses. PM India

---

18. BRICS and Supply Chains

The 2026 agenda placed considerable emphasis on:

Resilient Supply Chains

Important areas:

• Energy
• Critical minerals
• Technology
• Food
• Logistics
• Global Value Chains

The New Delhi Declaration supports stronger and more resilient global value chains and cooperation to help developing economies move into higher-value production. PM India

UPSC Concept

Supply-chain resilience means the ability of an economic system to:

absorb disruptions → adapt → maintain essential production and trade → recover quickly.

---

19. BRICS and Critical Minerals

Critical minerals are important for:

• Semiconductors
• Batteries
• Renewable energy
• Electric vehicles
• Defence technology
• Advanced manufacturing

Therefore, BRICS cooperation on critical minerals has strategic as well as economic significance.

India has highlighted the importance of ensuring that critical minerals and technology are not used as instruments of coercion and that supply chains remain secure and reliable. PM India

---

20. BRICS and Digital Agriculture

An important India-led initiative is:

BRICS Network on Digital Agriculture

Potential areas include:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Geospatial technology
• Digital Public Infrastructure
• Agricultural information
• Farmer-oriented technology
• Knowledge sharing

The objective is to connect modern technology with practical agricultural needs. PM India

---

21. BRICS and Health

Health resilience was an important component of India's Resilience pillar.

An important initiative discussed was:

BRICS Integrated Early Warning System

It aims to strengthen preparedness and response to infectious diseases through cooperation and early-warning mechanisms. PM India

Exam Link

Resilience → Health security → Early warning → Preparedness → Response

---

22. BRICS and Disaster Management

India also promoted cooperation in:

• Disaster Risk Reduction
• Early Warning Systems
• Risk-informed planning
• Disaster preparedness
• Anticipatory action

The 2026 declaration highlighted the importance of prevention and early action based on evidence and risk assessment. PM India

---

23. BRICS and Climate Change

Under the Sustainability pillar, cooperation focuses on:

• Climate action
• Clean energy
• Green finance
• Sustainable development
• Energy transition
• Environmental protection

India's stated approach was that sustainable development and climate action should account for different national circumstances. HCI Maputo

---

24. BRICS and WTO

BRICS supports reform of the:

World Trade Organization (WTO)

The New Delhi Declaration reaffirmed support for:

• Open trade
• Transparent trade
• Predictable trade rules
• Non-discrimination
• Inclusive multilateral trading system
• WTO at the centre of the multilateral trading system

It also referred to principles including:

MFN – Most-Favoured-Nation Treatment

and

Special & Differential Treatment

for developing countries. PM India

---

25. BRICS – Important Economic Facts

According to India's official BRICS 2026 information, the 11 members collectively represent approximately:

49.5% of the world's population

40% of global GDP

26% of global trade

These figures are important for Prelims. Press Information Bureau

One-line revision

BRICS 11 → ~49.5% population → ~40% GDP → ~26% global trade

---

26. BRICS and People-to-People Cooperation

BRICS is not limited to heads of government.

Cooperation includes:

• Youth
• Education
• Culture
• Sports
• Tourism
• Universities
• Research
• Business
• Parliamentarians
• Civil society

During India's 2026 Chairship, youth cooperation received special emphasis.

The BRICS Youth Council Meeting and Youth Summit were held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, while the BRICS Youth Ministers' Meeting was held in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh in August 2026. Press Information Bureau

---

27. BRICS and Youth – Important for HAS

BRICS Youth Council Meeting & Youth Summit

📍 Gandhinagar, Gujarat

📅 19–20 August 2026

BRICS Youth Ministers' Meeting

📍 Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh

📅 22 August 2026

India placed Yuva Shakti at the centre of its youth-oriented BRICS agenda. Press Information Bureau

---

28. BRICS Urbanisation Forum 2026

Another important event during India's Chairship was:

13th BRICS Urbanisation Forum

📍 New Delhi
📅 June 2026

Theme:

“Cities for People: BRICS Cooperation for Inclusive and Resilient Urban Futures”

The forum adopted a declaration on inclusive, resilient and people-centred urban development.

India also proposed the:

BRICS Urban Research and Knowledge Network Press Information Bureau

---

29. BRICS Education Ministers' Meeting 2026

The:

13th BRICS Education Ministers' Meeting

was held in:

Bhubaneswar, Odisha

It adopted the:

13th BRICS Education Ministers' Declaration

Education cooperation is part of the wider people-to-people pillar of BRICS. Press Information Bureau

---

30. BRICS 2026 – Important Institutional Timeline

Remember this sequence:

2001
BRIC term coined by Jim O'Neill

⬇️

2006
First BRIC ministerial meeting

⬇️

2009
First BRIC Leaders' Summit – Yekaterinburg

⬇️

2011
South Africa joins → BRICS

⬇️

2012
4th BRICS Summit – New Delhi

⬇️

2014
Fortaleza Summit → NDB + CRA

⬇️

2021
India's third BRICS Chairship

⬇️

2023
Johannesburg Summit → expansion process

⬇️

2024
Kazan Summit → major expansion + partner-country mechanism

⬇️

2026
18th BRICS Summit – New Delhi

⬇️

2027
China to hold the 19th BRICS Summit. PM India

---

31. Previous BRICS Summits – Static GK

The official BRICS historical record identifies Yekaterinburg as the first summit and documents the major institutional developments of the subsequent summits. Brics

---

32. India's BRICS Chairships – Static GK

India has chaired BRICS in:

2012 → 2016 → 2021 → 2026

Therefore:

2026 = India's 4th BRICS Chairship

This is a very likely Prelims/HAS factual question. EoI Riyadh

---

33. BRICS 2026 – Important Terms for Prelims

1. BRICS

Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa + new members

2. NDB

New Development Bank

3. CRA

Contingent Reserve Arrangement

4. BRICS Plus

Broader engagement involving countries beyond core BRICS membership

5. Partner Country

A participation category distinct from full membership

6. Global South

Developing/emerging economies seeking greater representation

7. Global Value Chains

Internationally distributed production networks

8. Critical Minerals

Minerals strategically important for modern technologies and industries

9. Digital Public Infrastructure

Digital systems/platforms supporting large-scale public services

10. Multilateralism

Cooperation among multiple countries through international institutions and frameworks

---

34. UPSC/HAS Mains Perspective

For Mains, BRICS should not be treated merely as a list of countries.

It should be connected with:

India's Foreign Policy

BRICS is relevant to:

• Strategic autonomy
• Global South leadership
• Multipolarity
• Reform of global governance
• Economic diplomacy
• Development finance
• South-South cooperation
• Technology cooperation
• Energy security
• Climate diplomacy
• Multilateral reform

---

35. BRICS and India's Strategic Importance

For India, BRICS provides a platform to engage simultaneously with:

• Major emerging economies
• Energy-producing countries
• Manufacturing powers
• Developing economies
• Global South countries

It also allows India to participate in discussions on reform of global institutions while maintaining engagement across different geopolitical groupings.

---

36. BRICS vs G7 – Conceptual Comparison

Exam caution: BRICS and G7 should not simply be described as exact opposites. Their memberships, institutional structures and objectives differ.

---

37. BRICS vs G20

G20

The G20 is a broader forum comprising major economies and the European Union/African Union participation framework.

BRICS

BRICS is a more focused grouping of emerging and developing economies.

Important:

Many BRICS members are also G20 members.

Therefore:

BRICS is not a substitute for G20.

Instead, the two operate as different platforms with overlapping membership and different institutional purposes.

---

38. Why BRICS is Important for UPSC/HAS?

BRICS combines several GS themes:

GS-II

• International Relations
• Multilateral institutions
• Global governance
• India and Global South

GS-III

• Economy
• Trade
• Energy
• Critical minerals
• Technology
• AI
• Infrastructure
• Climate change

Essay

• Multipolar world
• Reform of global institutions
• Global South
• Development vs sustainability
• Technology and inclusive growth

---

39. 20 Most Important One-Liners

BRICS 2026 Rapid Revision

1. 18th BRICS Summit → New Delhi
2. Dates → 12–13 September 2026
3. Chair → India
4. Theme → Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability
5. India assumed Chairship → 1 January 2026
6. India's BRICS Chairship → Fourth
7. Previous Indian Chairships → 2012, 2016, 2021
8. Current BRICS members → 11
9. Original BRIC → Brazil, Russia, India, China
10. BRIC term coined → 2001
11. Term coined by → Jim O'Neill
12. First BRIC ministerial meeting → 2006
13. First BRIC Summit → 2009
14. First Summit venue → Yekaterinburg, Russia
15. South Africa joined → 2011
16. NDB established → 2014
17. NDB HQ → Shanghai
18. Major 2024 Summit → Kazan, Russia
19. 2026 Summit venue → Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
20. 2027 BRICS Chair/Summit host → China EoI Riyadh

---

40. Most Probable UPSC/HAS Prelims Questions

Q1. BRICS was originally known as BRIC because it consisted of:

A. Brazil, Russia, India and China
B. Brazil, Romania, India and China
C. Britain, Russia, India and China
D. Brazil, Russia, Indonesia and China

Answer: A

---

Q2. The term BRIC was coined in:

A. 1991
B. 1999
C. 2001
D. 2005

Answer: C – 2001

---

Q3. Who coined the term BRIC?

A. Joseph Stiglitz
B. Jim O'Neill
C. Amartya Sen
D. Jeffrey Sachs

Answer: B – Jim O'Neill

---

Q4. South Africa joined BRIC in:

A. 2009
B. 2010
C. 2011
D. 2012

Answer: C – 2011

---

Q5. The first BRIC Summit was held at:

A. New Delhi
B. Yekaterinburg
C. Beijing
D. Brasília

Answer: B – Yekaterinburg

---

Q6. The New Development Bank was established at:

A. Durban Summit
B. New Delhi Summit
C. Fortaleza Summit
D. Kazan Summit

Answer: C – Fortaleza Summit, 2014

---

Q7. Headquarters of the New Development Bank is located in:

A. New Delhi
B. Moscow
C. Shanghai
D. Brasília

Answer: C – Shanghai

---

Q8. The 18th BRICS Summit in 2026 was held in:

A. Mumbai
B. New Delhi
C. Bengaluru
D. Hyderabad

Answer: B – New Delhi

---

Q9. The theme of India's BRICS Chairship 2026 is:

A. One Earth, One Family, One Future
B. Strengthening Multilateralism
C. Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability
D. Inclusive Growth and Shared Prosperity

Answer: C

---

Q10. Which of the following is NOT one of the four broad priorities of India's BRICS Chairship 2026?

A. Resilience
B. Innovation
C. Cooperation
D. Militarisation

Answer: D

---

41. Mains Answer Framework

प्रश्न:

“BRICS has emerged as an important platform for the Global South. Discuss its significance for India's foreign policy.”

Introduction

BRICS has evolved from an economic grouping of four emerging economies into a broader platform representing major emerging and developing countries. Its expansion has increased its geographical and economic significance.

Body

1. Global South representation

• Greater voice for developing countries
• Reform of global governance

2. Economic cooperation

• Trade
• Investment
• Development finance
• NDB

3. Strategic autonomy

• Platform for dialogue with multiple major powers

4. Development cooperation

• Health
• Agriculture
• Technology
• Infrastructure
• Education

5. Technology

• AI
• Digital public infrastructure
• Start-ups
• Critical technologies

6. Climate & sustainability

• Green finance
• Energy transition
• Climate action

Challenges

• Diverse political systems
• Different national interests
• Economic asymmetries
• Geopolitical differences
• Expansion-related coordination challenges
• Consensus-based decision-making

Conclusion

BRICS can serve as an important platform for South-South cooperation, inclusive development and reform of multilateral governance, provided its expanding membership can maintain practical cooperation despite differing national priorities.

---