21 September 2026 | International Current Affairs
The 18th BRICS Summit was held in New Delhi on 12–13 September 2026 under India’s chairship. The summit concluded with the New Delhi BRICS Leaders’ Declaration, making BRICS a high-value topic for General Awareness because it connects international relations, multilateral institutions, global finance, Global South cooperation and India’s foreign policy.
What happened?
BRICS leaders met in New Delhi under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” The declaration reaffirmed cooperation across political and security, economic and financial, and cultural and people-to-people pillars. It also stressed a more representative and effective multilateral system. Official PIB declaration.
Why it matters
For exam preparation, BRICS is not merely a list of countries. The 2026 summit links India with debates on reform of global institutions, financial cooperation, sustainable development, technology and the priorities of the Global South. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the session on inclusive global governance and strengthening multilateralism.
Data figure
| Parameter | Fact |
|---|---|
| Summit | 18th BRICS Summit |
| Host | New Delhi, India |
| Dates | 12–13 September 2026 |
| Chair | India |
| Theme | Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability |
| Members | 11 |
BRICS members: capital, currency and top leadership
| Country | Capital | Currency | Leader |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | Brasília | Brazilian real | President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva |
| Russia | Moscow | Russian ruble | President Vladimir Putin |
| India | New Delhi | Indian rupee | Prime Minister Narendra Modi |
| China | Beijing | Renminbi/yuan | President Xi Jinping |
| South Africa | Pretoria | Rand | President Cyril Ramaphosa |
| Egypt | Cairo | Egyptian pound | President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi |
| Ethiopia | Addis Ababa | Ethiopian birr | Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed |
| Iran | Tehran | Iranian rial | President Masoud Pezeshkian |
| Saudi Arabia | Riyadh | Saudi riyal | Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman |
| UAE | Abu Dhabi | UAE dirham | President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan |
| Indonesia | Jakarta | Indonesian rupiah | President Prabowo Subianto |
The official BRICS site confirms the 11-member composition. BRICS official member information.
Background
The acronym BRIC was coined in 2001 for Brazil, Russia, India and China. South Africa joined in 2011. The later expansion added Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Indonesia, taking the grouping to 11 members.
Static GK connection
- BRIC originally represented Brazil, Russia, India and China.
- South Africa joined in 2011.
- BRICS cooperation has political/security, economic/financial and people-to-people dimensions.
- The New Development Bank is associated with BRICS financial cooperation.
Possible MCQ areas
- Venue and dates of the 18th BRICS Summit.
- Theme of BRICS 2026.
- Current number of BRICS members.
- Member-country capitals and currencies.
- New Development Bank and BRICS financial cooperation.
Exam relevance
UPSC: multilateralism, Global South and institutional reform. SSC: capitals, currencies and summit facts. Banking: New Development Bank and financial cooperation. Defence: strategic and security cooperation.
Official source
PIB – New Delhi BRICS Leaders’ Declaration
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