UPSC Notes

BRICS Grouping

PYQs

Articles

Momentum

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

BRICS is a key international grouping where India plays a significant role. Its evolution, objectives, challenges, and impact on global order (e.g., de-dollarization, UNSC reform) are frequently tested in UPSC Mains (GS2) and Prelims, reflecting India's strategic autonomy and its role as a Global South balancer.

BRICS is an acronym for five major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. It aims to promote peace, security, development, and cooperation, contributing significantly to global economic growth and multilateralism.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Member Countries

Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

Objectives

Promoting economic cooperation, political dialogue, and reform of global governance structures.

Global Significance

Represents a significant portion of the world's population and GDP, influencing global economic and political discourse.

India's Role

An active participant, hosting summits, and advocating for the interests of the Global South within the forum.

Membership

Comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, representing a significant portion of the world's population and GDP.

Key Initiatives

Established the New Development Bank (NDB) and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) to provide financial support and stability to member states.

Global Influence

Seeks to enhance the voice of emerging economies in international affairs and contribute to a more equitable global order.

Global Economic Share

Represents nearly half of the world's population and around 30% of global economic output.

Reference table

Evolution of BRICS Membership

Year	Members Added
2006	Brazil, Russia, India, China (BRIC)
2010	South Africa
2026	Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE

Reference table

India's BRICS Agenda Focus Areas

Focus Area	Key Initiatives Mentioned
Resilience	BRICS Digital Centre of Excellence for Smart Grids and Energy Storage, BRICS Logistics Supply Chain Cooperation Framework, Centres of Excellence on Agro-Ecology and Regenerative Agriculture
Innovation	Start-up innovation fund, incubator network, digital public infrastructure repository, science and research repository, Working Group on research infrastructures and mega science projects
Cooperation	Revitalising multilateral trading system, network of centres of excellence on mental wellness, BRICS urbanisation forum, enhancing digital capacity of women, education, youth skilling, MSME Cooperation Portal
Sustainability	Combating desertification, guidelines for disaster management and forest-fire preparedness, BRICS forum on sustainable aviation fuels, climate resilience through people-centric and community-based adaptation

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

Type	Reference
Conceptual area	International Relations
Conceptual area	Economic Diplomacy
Conceptual area	International Groupings

Reference table

Institutions & roles

Body	Role
BRICS	Multilateral forum
New Development Bank (NDB)	Financial institution
New Development Bank (BRICS bank)	Financial institution

Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Quick revision

Comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa.
Platform for major emerging economies.
Aims for a more multipolar world order.
India plays a central role in its agenda.
Summits are key events for member coordination.

Elimination traps

Body vs treaty — Distinguish BRICS as an informal grouping from a formal treaty-based organization.

Treaty = agreement between states; body = institution.

High-confidence PYQs

2025Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements with regard to BRICS: I. 16th BRICS Summit was held under the Chairship of Russia in Kazan. II. Indonesia has become a ful...

International RelationsOpen question

India is one of the founding members of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multimodal transportation corridor, which will connect

International RelationsOpen question

2025Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements with regard to BRICS: I. 16th BRICS Summit was held under the Chairship of Russia in Kazan. II. Indonesia has become a ful...

International RelationsOpen question

India is one of the founding members of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multimodal transportation corridor, which will connect

International RelationsOpen question

2024Statement-based questions, Factual recall

The longest border between any two countries in the world is between :

GeographyOpen question

Consider the following statements: Statement-I: Recently, Venezuela has achieved a rapid recovery from its economic crisis and succeeded in preventing its p...

International RelationsOpen question

2024Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

The longest border between any two countries in the world is between :

GeographyOpen question

Consider the following statements: Statement-I: Recently, Venezuela has achieved a rapid recovery from its economic crisis and succeeded in preventing its p...

International RelationsOpen question

2022Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. Bidibidi is a large refugee settlement in north -western Kenya. 2. Some people who fled from South Sudan civil war l...

International RelationsOpen question

Consider the following pairs: Country - Important reason for being in the news recently 1. Chad – Setting up of permanent military base by China. 2. Guin...

International RelationsOpen question

2022Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. Bidibidi is a large refugee settlement in north -western Kenya. 2. Some people who fled from South Sudan civil war l...

International RelationsOpen question

Consider the following pairs: Country - Important reason for being in the news recently 1. Chad – Setting up of permanent military base by China. 2. Guin...

International RelationsOpen question

2018Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Consider the following countries : 1. Australia 2. Canada 3. China 4. India 5. Japan 6. USA Which of the above are among the 'free-trade partners' of ...

International RelationsOpen question

2016Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements regarding the India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS): 1. The summit held in 2015 marked the third edition of the IAFS. 2. The IAF...

International RelationsOpen question

2015Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

India is a member of which of the following? 1. Asia-Pacific economic corporation. 2. Association of South-East Asian Nations. 3. East Asia Summit Select t...

International RelationsOpen question

In the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, an initiative of six countries, which of the following is/are not participant/ participants? 1. Bangladesh 2. Cambodia 3. Ch...

International RelationsOpen question

Consider the following countries - 1. China 2. France 3. India 4. Israel 5. Pakistan Which among the above are Nuclear Weapons States as recognized by the T...

International RelationsOpen question

2015Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

India is a member of which of the following? 1. Asia-Pacific economic corporation. 2. Association of South-East Asian Nations. 3. East Asia Summit Select t...

International RelationsOpen question

In the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, an initiative of six countries, which of the following is/are not participant/ participants? 1. Bangladesh 2. Cambodia 3. Ch...

International RelationsOpen question

Consider the following countries - 1. China 2. France 3. India 4. Israel 5. Pakistan Which among the above are Nuclear Weapons States as recognized by the T...

International RelationsOpen question

2015Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

India is a member of which of the following? 1. Asia-Pacific economic corporation. 2. Association of South-East Asian Nations. 3. East Asia Summit Select t...

International RelationsOpen question

In the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, an initiative of six countries, which of the following is/are not participant/ participants? 1. Bangladesh 2. Cambodia 3. Ch...

International RelationsOpen question

Consider the following countries - 1. China 2. France 3. India 4. Israel 5. Pakistan Which among the above are Nuclear Weapons States as recognized by the T...

International RelationsOpen question

2014Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to a grouping of countries known as BRICS, consider the following statements: 1. The First Summit of BRICS was held in Rio de Janeiro in 2009....

International RelationsOpen question

Topic timeline

International RelationsEconomic DiplomacyInternational Groupings

Prelims 2014· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to a grouping of countries known as BRICS, consider the following statements: 1. The First Summit of BRICS was held in Rio de Janeiro in 2009....

BRICS Grouping

Overview

Key facts

Reference table

Reference table

Reference table

Reference table

Overview

Quick revision

Elimination traps

High-confidence PYQs

Topic timeline

Related topics

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC Prelims PYQs on BRICS Grouping

Editorial & Review Process