BRICS Explained: BRICS has become an important name in discussions about the global economy, international relations, and the changing balance of power. The group brings together major emerging economies and provides a platform where member countries can discuss economic cooperation, development, and wider global issues.

For students preparing for UPSC, SSC, banking and other competitive examinations, BRICS is also an important topic for current affairs and general knowledge. But what exactly is BRICS, how did it begin, and why is India an important part of the group?

BRICS originally started with four countries and later expanded to include more emerging economies. Over the years, its role has grown beyond economic discussions, with members focusing on cooperation in areas such as trade, education, health, science, and technology. Here is a simple guide to the history of BRICS, its members, and India’s role.

BRICS Explained

No.	BRICS Member Country	Joining Year
1	Brazil	2006
2	Russia	2006
3	India	2006
4	China	2006
5	South Africa	2010
6	Egypt	2024
7	Ethiopia	2024
8	Iran	2024
9	Saudi Arabia	2024
10	United Arab Emirates (UAE)	2024
11	Indonesia	2025

What Is BRICS?

BRICS is a platform for political, diplomatic and economic cooperation among countries of the Global South. The name BRICS comes from the initial letters of its original member countries, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The group aims to increase cooperation among its members and strengthen the voice and participation of developing countries in global institutions and decision-making.

Unlike a traditional international organisation, BRICS does not operate with a founding treaty, permanent secretariat or its own regular budget, according to the source material. Instead, it works as a forum for coordination and cooperation between member countries. Its discussions cover several areas, including economic relations, development, diplomacy and other issues of common interest.

Which Countries Are Members of BRICS?

BRICS began with Brazil, Russia, India and China. South Africa later joined the group, turning BRIC into BRICS. The group subsequently went through another major expansion, with Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates joining in 2024. Indonesia became a full member in 2025, taking the reported total number of full members to 11.

The current members mentioned in the source are Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia. This expansion has increased the geographical and economic diversity of the group and has made BRICS an increasingly significant platform for emerging economies.

• Brazil
• Russia
• India
• China
• South Africa

How Did BRICS Begin?

The story of BRICS goes back to 2001, when Goldman Sachs economist Jim O’Neill used the term BRIC to describe the rapidly growing economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China. The four countries began working together under the BRIC framework in 2006. Their first BRIC summit was later held in 2009 in Yekaterinburg, Russia, marking an important step in turning the idea into a regular platform for cooperation.

South Africa was added to the group in 2010 and took part in its first BRICS Summit in 2011. A further expansion was decided at the 2023 BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE were added in the expansion that followed, while Indonesia became a full member in 2025. As a result, the group reached 11 full members according to the provided source.

India’s Role in BRICS

India has been part of BRIC since the beginning and is one of the group’s founding members. Its participation has focused strongly on issues such as greater representation for developing countries, reforms in global institutions and stronger economic cooperation. India has also used the BRICS platform to engage with other major emerging economies on issues that affect the developing world.

India has held the BRICS presidency in 2012, 2016 and 2021. Through the group, India works with other member countries in areas including the economy, education, healthcare, science and technology. The source also states that the BRICS presidency rotates among member countries and that India is holding the presidency in 2026.

Why Is BRICS Important for India?

BRICS provides India with an international platform to discuss economic and diplomatic issues with several major emerging economies. India can use this platform to push for greater representation of developing countries in global institutions while also strengthening cooperation with other member nations. This makes BRICS relevant not only to India’s foreign policy but also to its wider economic and strategic interests.

The group is also useful because its cooperation extends beyond traditional economic matters. India participates in discussions involving education, health, technology and development. For competitive-exam candidates, India’s position in BRICS is particularly important because questions can be asked about its founding membership, presidencies, the group’s expansion and its objectives.

Important BRICS Facts for Competitive Exams

The candidates should note that the acronym BRIC was coined in 2001, and the four countries started collaborating as BRIC in 2006. The first BRIC Summit was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia in 2009. South Africa’s membership forced the name change to BRICS, and the subsequent addition of more countries to the group.

The next five facts are particularly beneficial for students taking general knowledge and current affairs tests:

• The BRIC countries were initially Brazil, Russia, India and China.
• The inaugural BRIC Summit took place in Yekaterinburg, Russia in 2009.
• South Africa was admitted to the group in 2010, and attended its inaugural BRICS Summit in 2011.
• The countries that joined during the 2024 expansion are Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
• In 2025, Indonesia will become a full member of the BRICS.

BRICS Summit and Its Rotating Presidency

Leaders from the member countries of the BRICS Summit come together here to discuss the priorities and areas of cooperation. The presidency rotates from year-to-year among the member countries, with each year having one member country assume the role of leading the activities of the group. Presidencies in India have been three times – in 2012, 2016 and 2021.

The rotating presidency enables members to focus more on issues they are interested in and to maintain the group’s collective cooperation programme. It is important for students to know the fact that the presidency, in relation to the BRICS, can be asked in competitive exams in the following questions: BRICS President, place of the BRICS Summit, membership of the BRICS, BRICS major decisions.

BRICS Expansion and Its Growing Significance

BRICS have evolved significantly in size and diversity with the addition of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The 2023 Johannesburg Summit was an important milestone as members agreed to expand the grouping and Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates will join the expanded group in 2024. In 2025, Indonesia was admitted to the group as a full member, bringing an additional major economy to the table.

As countries join BRICS, it is a wider pool of emerging economies from different parts of the world. This has given rise to greater interest in the group from the policymakers and the students and observers of international affairs. It is also important for those interested in the world’s economic and diplomatic events to know about its history and goals, as it has gained a lot of members.

Since the term BRIC was coined in 2001, BRICS has undergone significant changes. Initially, it was a reference to four emerging economies which later turned into a formal forum for cooperation when Brazil, Russia, India and China started to cooperate in 2006. The initial summit in 2009 and South Africa’s later admission strengthened the modern-day format of BRICS, and the 2024 and 2025 additions to the group greatly bolstered the membership.

Disclaimer: This article was prepared from information contained in the source material, and is intended to provide general information only. The membership of the BRICS, their presidency, and details of their summits can change over time.

Readers and candidates for examination should check with official sources for the latest information before relying upon it for examinations or other important uses.

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