18th BRICS heads of IP offices meet in New Delhi
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 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 →
The 18th Meeting of Heads of Intellectual Property Offices of BRICS countries was held in New Delhi from 1 to 3 September 2026, hosted by the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks under DPIIT. It adopted Updated Operational Guidelines for IP BRICS cooperation and backed new projects on awareness, fintech, commercialisation and patent documentation.
- Dates
- 1 to 3 Sep 2026, New Delhi
- Host
- O/o CGPDTM, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry
- Delegates
- around 35, physical and virtual
- Outcome
- Updated Operational Guidelines adopted
- Chairship theme
- Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability
The 18th meeting of BRICS heads of IP offices: what happened?
Patents, trade marks and geographical indications protect new ideas and local products. BRICS IP offices meet every year to share methods and cut delays. India hosted the meeting during its BRICS Chairship in 2026.
- The 18th meeting of heads of IP offices of BRICS, hosted by the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks, adopted updated operational guidelines [PIB].
What did the meeting cover?
- Traditional knowledge and traditional systems of medicine as shared heritage that must be protected.
- Progress on the Study on Reinforced Patent Examination Cooperation, to cut backlogs and share search results.
- Patent analytics and Geographical Indications, to protect and sell GI products across BRICS.
- Russia, Iran and Ethiopia joined online; others came in person.
What new projects were agreed?
- BRICS Intellectual Property Awareness Series and IP BRICS FinTech Innovation Monitor.
- BRICS Industrial Property Commercialisation Forum and Best Practices Repository.
- IP policies for public health, Research on Design Systems, and a Manual of Patent Documentation.
What can Prelims ask on the 18th meeting of BRICS heads of IP offices?
- 18th Heads of IP Offices of BRICS: New Delhi, 1 to 3 Sep 2026.
- Host: Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (DPIIT).
- India’s BRICS Chairship theme: Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2026-09-02): the 18th meeting of heads of IP offices of BRICS, hosted by the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks, adopted updated operational guidelines.
- IP cooperation supports innovation among emerging economies.
Quotable data pointThe 18th meeting of heads of IP offices of BRICS, hosted by the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks, adopted updated operational guidelines.
PIB: Commerce: BRICS IP heads meeting, 2 Sep 2026
Exam angle
Prelims: CGPDTM.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
India's 2026 BRICS Chairship theme spells out
Answer (a) & explanation
PIB, 2 Sep 2026.
Questions students ask about this
Where was the 18th meeting of BRICS heads of IP offices held?
In New Delhi, from 1 to 3 September 2026.
What was its main outcome?
Adoption of the Updated Operational Guidelines for IP BRICS cooperation.
Which office hosted it?
The Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks under DPIIT.
Keep studying
Go deeper
Official source: PIB: Commerce: BRICS IP heads meeting, 2 Sep 2026
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending