BRICS: Origin, Expansion, New Development Bank, Contingent Reserve Arrangement and India’s Position (UPSC Notes + 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 it below ↓
- 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 →
See all 5 PYQs
- Prelims 2015The ‘Fortaleza Declaration’, recently in the news, is related to the affairs ofSolve it below ↓
- Prelims 2016Consider the following statements: New Development Bank has been set up by APEC. …Solve it below ↓
- Prelims 2025Consider the following statements with regard to BRICS: 16th BRICS Summit was held under the Chairship of Russia in Kazan. …Solve it below ↓
Origin
Goldman Sachs economist Jim O’Neill coined “BRIC” in 2001 for fast-growing economies. Foreign ministers met in 2006; leaders met at Yekaterinburg in 2009. South Africa joined in 2010, making it BRICS.
Institutions
- New Development Bank (Shanghai; agreed at Fortaleza 2014, operational 2015): equal founder shares; lends for infrastructure and sustainable development; India’s K.V. Kamath was the first president. New members include Bangladesh, the UAE, Egypt and Algeria.
- Contingent Reserve Arrangement: $100 billion pool for balance of payments support.
- BRICS payments initiatives, a grain exchange idea, and cooperation on vaccines and startups.
Expansion
At Johannesburg (2023), six were invited; Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the UAE joined in January 2024 (Saudi Arabia has not formally confirmed; Argentina declined). Indonesia joined in January 2025. A “partner country” category was created at Kazan (2024). Rio (2025) was the first summit with the expanded group.
India’s position
India sees BRICS as a Global South platform for reforming the UN, IMF and World Bank, not an anti-Western bloc. It is cautious about a common currency (it has said de-dollarisation is not its aim) and about China’s dominance. India balances BRICS and SCO with the Quad and G7 outreach. As 2026 chair, it has stressed resilience, innovation and people-centred cooperation.
BRICS: UPSC angle
For UPSC CSE
Prelims: members, NDB headquarters, Fortaleza Declaration, CRA, summit hosts. Mains GS-II: BRICS relevance, India’s multi-alignment, China factor.
BRICS UPSC PYQs (Prelims)
Questions UPSC has actually asked, from the official papers. Pick an option to check yourself.
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.
– 2. South Africa was the last to join the BRICS grouping.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
The first BRIC summit was held at Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009. South Africa joined in 2010–11, which made it BRICS. In 2014 it was the newest member. Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE and Indonesia joined from 2024. Answer as per the official UPSC key · Battle IAS PYQ bankAnswer (b) & why
The ‘Fortaleza Declaration’, recently in the news, is related to the affairs of
The Fortaleza Declaration came out of the 6th BRICS summit in Brazil (July 2014). That summit agreed to set up the New Development Bank (Shanghai, with an Indian first president, K. V. Kamath) and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement. Answer as per the official UPSC key · Battle IAS PYQ bankAnswer (b) & why
Consider the following statements :
– 1. New Development Bank has been set up by APEC.
– 2. The headquarters of New Development Bank is in Shanghai.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
The New Development Bank was set up by BRICS (Fortaleza summit, 2014) and began work in 2015. Its headquarters is in Shanghai, and its first president was India’s K. V. Kamath. It funds infrastructure and sustainable development in member countries. Answer as per the official UPSC key · Battle IAS PYQ bankAnswer (b) & why
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 full member of BRICS.
– III. The theme of the 16th BRICS Summit was Strengthening Multiculturalism for Just Global Development and Security.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Russia hosted the 16th summit at Kazan in October 2024. Indonesia became a full member in January 2025. The theme was “Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security”, not multiculturalism. Answer as per the official UPSC key · Battle IAS PYQ bankAnswer (a) & why
Mains PYQs on this topic
Questions from the official UPSC Mains papers (2023-2026 in the Battle IAS Mains bank), newest first. Each links to a model answer.
- UPSC Mains 2026 · GS Paper II · Q10 · 10 marks
“BRICS acts as a powerful counterweight in global governance, actively amplifying the voice and influence of the Global South.” Explain the role of BRICS in projecting itself as an alternative to other groupings.
Quick quiz
The New Development Bank is headquartered in
Agreed at Fortaleza.Answer (b)
The Fortaleza Declaration relates to
UPSC 2015.Answer (b)
Which country joined BRICS as a full member in January 2025?
After the 2024 additions.Answer (b)
FAQs
Who coined the term BRIC?
Jim O’Neill of Goldman Sachs, in 2001.
What is the CRA?
A $100 billion arrangement for members facing short-term balance of payments pressure.
Is BRICS planning a common currency?
There is talk of local-currency trade and payment systems; India has not supported a common currency.
Who chairs BRICS in 2026?
India.
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Image: Alan Santos/PR, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
How to use this in Mains
If asked: UPSC Mains 2026, GS-II: “BRICS acts as a powerful counterweight in global governance, actively amplifying the voice and influence of the Global South.” Explain the role of BRICS in projecting itself as an alternative to other groupings.
Quote: “India sees BRICS as a Global South platform for reforming the UN, IMF and World Bank, not an anti-Western bloc.”
Use it: India's position in a line; ideal for the body.
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