BRICS 2026 – India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit in 2026 under its chairship of the grouping. A PIB backgrounder released in September highlighted the evolution of BRICS from a four-country grouping into a much broader platform representing major emerging economies across different regions. India is chairing BRICS for the fourth time since the grouping's inception.
BRICS originally brought together Brazil, Russia, India and China. South Africa joined the grouping in 2010, after which the organisation expanded further with the admission of additional members. The enlarged BRICS framework has increased the group's geographical and economic significance and strengthened its role as a platform for cooperation among countries of the Global South.
The grouping has become an important forum for discussing global governance, development, finance, trade, technology and sustainable development. It also provides member countries with a platform to coordinate positions on issues affecting developing economies and to advocate reforms in international institutions.
India's chairship comes at a time of significant geopolitical and economic uncertainty. Issues such as conflicts, supply-chain disruptions, energy security, climate change, food security and reform of multilateral institutions have increased the importance of platforms representing emerging economies.
During the BRICS Business Forum in September, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the growing economic weight of BRICS. The grouping and its partner countries together represent a substantial share of the world's population, GDP and international trade.
Why BRICS Matters for Competitive Exams
BRICS is a high-value topic for competitive examinations because questions can cover its origin, membership, expansion, objectives, institutions and India's role. The original BRIC grouping was formed by Brazil, Russia, India and China, while South Africa joined later, turning BRIC into BRICS.
One important institution associated with BRICS is the New Development Bank (NDB), headquartered in Shanghai. The bank was established to mobilise resources for infrastructure and sustainable-development projects in emerging and developing countries.
Another important area is the grouping's contribution to discussions about reform of global institutions. BRICS countries have repeatedly supported greater representation for developing countries in international decision-making structures, including reform of the United Nations Security Council and international financial institutions.
India's fourth BRICS chairship provides additional significance to the 2026 current-affairs cycle. Candidates should connect the chairship with India's broader diplomatic focus on the Global South, multipolarity, inclusive development and reform of multilateral institutions.
The September PIB material also highlighted BRICS cooperation in areas such as technology, trade, finance and people-to-people exchanges. This demonstrates that BRICS is no longer simply an economic acronym but has developed into a broad platform for political, economic and developmental cooperation.
Exam Focus: BRICS, India’s 2026 chairship, fourth chairship, Global South, New Development Bank, multilateral reform, BRICS expansion, global governance.
Source: Press Information Bureau
