India hosts 3rd BRICS ministerial on disaster risk reduction
Asked by UPSCPrelims 2025, 2017, 2014Mains 2026 (GS3), 2026 (GS2), 2024 (GS3)7 PYQs
UPSC has already asked about this. Read the story with these questions in mind.
- Prelims 2014With reference to a grouping of countries known as BRICS, consider the following statementsSolve with answer →
- Mains 2024 · GS3What is disaster resilience? How is it determined? Describe various elements of a resilience framework. Also mention the global targets of Sendai Framework for…See model answer →
See all 7 PYQs
- Mains 2026 · GS3Discuss how the contradiction between 'rapid infrastructure development' and 'disaster-risk reduction' in ecologically-sensitive areas of India can be managed, with suitable examples.See model answer →
- Mains 2026 · GS3"Community participation is the cornerstone of effective disaster management". Analyse this statement with suitable examples from India. Also discuss the challenges to community participation…See model answer →
- Prelims 2025Consider the following statements with regard to BRICS: 16th BRICS Summit was held under the Chairship of Russia in Kazan. …Solve with answer →
- Prelims 2017With reference to ‘Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Housing and Urban Development (APMCHUD)’, consider the following statementsSolve with answer →
- Mains 2026 · GS2“BRICS acts as a powerful counterweight in global governance, actively amplifying the voice and influence of the Global South.” Explain the role of BRICS…See model answer →
Battle Brief
Under India’s BRICS Chairship 2026, NDMA hosted the 3rd BRICS Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction in New Delhi on 24 July 2026. Members unanimously adopted a BRICS Joint Statement on DRR and pledged to speed up the BRICS DRR Work Plan for 2025 to 2028.
Fact File
- Date
- 24 Jul 2026, New Delhi
- Host
- NDMA, Ministry of Home Affairs
- Chairship
- India’s BRICS Chairship 2026
- Outcome
- BRICS Joint Statement on Disaster Risk Reduction (unanimous)
- Work Plan
- BRICS DRR Work Plan (2025 to 2028)
- Knowledge products
- Six flagship products launched
The BRICS ministerial meeting on disaster risk reduction: what happened?
BRICS cooperation on disasters has grown from the Udaipur Declaration (2016) to the Kazan Declaration (2024) and the BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Group (DRRG). Brazil raised the Group to ministerial level. India’s Chairship theme is “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
- The meeting was chaired by the Minister of State for Home Affairs and attended by ministers and heads of delegation from BRICS member countries.
- India placed five strategic priorities under its Chairship to accelerate the Work Plan.
- A High-Level Policy Dialogue covered climate-smart and disaster-resilient infrastructure, financing, technology and partnerships.
- A Ministerial Roundtable focused on implementing the Work Plan through institutional cooperation, capacity building and knowledge sharing.
- Six flagship knowledge products were launched for evidence-based policy and practical DRR work.
- Ministers called for regular technical exchanges, joint projects, simulation exercises and annual thematic workstreams.
- The Joint Statement reaffirmed the collective push to deepen cooperation for resilient societies.
What guides India’s DRR approach in this forum?
- The release cites the Prime Minister’s Ten-Point Agenda for Disaster Risk Reduction as the people-centric guide.
- Priorities named for cooperation: science and technology, early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, nature-based solutions and community resilience.
- The Chairship theme packages these as Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.
Where does this sit in BRICS DRR history?
- Udaipur Declaration, 2016.
- Kazan Declaration, 2024.
- BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Group (DRRG) established; Brazil elevated it to ministerial level.
- The New Delhi meeting is labelled the 3rd BRICS Ministerial Meeting on DRR under India’s Chairship 2026.
What practical tools did the meeting add?
- Six flagship knowledge products for evidence-based policymaking and capacity building.
- A policy dialogue on climate-smart and disaster-resilient infrastructure systems.
- A roundtable on accelerating the 2025 to 2028 Work Plan.
Why does the BRICS ministerial meeting on disaster risk reduction matter?
| Angle | What to note |
|---|---|
| Disaster management | BRICS now has a ministerial DRR track and a 2025 to 2028 Work Plan. |
| Diplomacy | India’s Chairship 2026 used NDMA as the host platform. |
| Infrastructure | Climate-smart and disaster-resilient systems were a dedicated dialogue. |
| Knowledge | Six flagship products support shared learning across members. |
What are the challenges in the BRICS ministerial meeting on disaster risk reduction?
- Declarations and work plans need follow-through in national budgets and local drills.
- Early warning and resilient infrastructure require money and data sharing, not only statements.
- Nature-based solutions need clear national guidelines to move from pilots to scale.
- Simulation exercises and joint projects will show whether the ministerial track is operational or ceremonial.
What should be done next on the BRICS ministerial meeting on disaster risk reduction?
- Run technical exchanges, joint projects and simulation exercises as ministers asked.
- Use the six knowledge products in national DRR planning and training.
- Track Work Plan milestones through 2028 under annual thematic workstreams.
- Keep NDMA linked to BRICS technical expert exchanges.
What can Prelims ask on the BRICS ministerial meeting on disaster risk reduction?
- 3rd BRICS DRR Ministerial: New Delhi, 24 Jul 2026; NDMA host; India Chairship 2026.
- Joint Statement adopted; Work Plan 2025 to 2028.
- Lineage: Udaipur 2016, Kazan 2024, DRRG; Brazil raised it to ministerial level.
- Six flagship knowledge products launched.
How to write about the BRICS ministerial meeting on disaster risk reduction in Mains
Practice question (10 marks, 150 words): Disaster risk reduction is increasingly a subject of plurilateral diplomacy. Examine the value of a BRICS ministerial track on DRR for India.
- Intro: 3rd ministerial and Joint Statement.
- From Udaipur to Kazan to DRRG.
- India’s priorities and Ten-Point Agenda.
- Infrastructure and early warning cooperation.
- Conclusion: diplomacy must become drills and finance.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2026-07-24): NDMA hosted the 3rd BRICS Ministerial Meeting on DRR in New Delhi; a joint statement on disaster resilience was adopted.
- BRICS countries share disaster risks and can share solutions.
Quotable data pointNDMA hosted the 3rd BRICS Ministerial Meeting on DRR in New Delhi.
PIB: MHA: BRICS DRR ministerial, 24 Jul 2026
Exam angle
UPSC
Prelims: Sendai; CDRI.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
Practice · UPSC
The 3rd BRICS Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction in July 2026 was hosted by
Answer (b) & explanation
Home Ministry / NDMA release, 24 Jul 2026.
Practice · UPSC
The BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Work Plan cited at the New Delhi ministerial covers
Answer (c) & explanation
Home Ministry release, 24 Jul 2026.
Questions students ask about this
Who hosted the 3rd BRICS DRR Ministerial?
NDMA under the Ministry of Home Affairs, in New Delhi on 24 July 2026.
What was the main outcome?
Unanimous adoption of the BRICS Joint Statement on Disaster Risk Reduction.
What is the time span of the BRICS DRR Work Plan cited?
2025 to 2028.
How many flagship knowledge products did India launch at the meeting?
Six.
Keep studying
Go deeper
ExplainerCyclones: Formation of Tropical Cyclones, Structure, Classification, Naming, Temperate Cyclones and Cyclone Management in India (UPSC Notes + PYQs)ExplainerLandslides in India: Causes, Vulnerable Zones, Recent Disasters and Mitigation (UPSC Notes)
Official source: PIB: MHA: BRICS DRR ministerial, 24 Jul 2026
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending