35
Total MCQs
11
Members (2026)
2006
BRICS Founded
New Delhi
18th Summit
🇮🇳
India Hosted
BRICS – Who Named It & Origins (5 MCQs)
1
Who coined the term 'BRIC' in 2001 and what was his organization?
Jim O'Neill, senior economist at Goldman Sachs, coined 'BRIC' in 2001 to identify the 4 fastest-growing developing economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China. Memory: 'O'Neill = Coined BRIC at Goldman in 2001'.
2
When was BRICS formally established (first formal meeting of foreign ministers)?
BRICS establishment: September 2006 (first formal meeting of foreign ministers at UNGA sidelines). This is why 2026 marks 20 years of BRICS. Memory: '2001 = Term coined; 2006 = Formal establishment'.
3
When was the FIRST BRICS Summit (heads of state/government) held and where?
First BRICS Summit (heads meeting) = 2009 in Russia. Different from 2006 (which was just foreign ministers). Key distinction: 2006 = establishment; 2009 = first summit of leaders.
4
When did South Africa join BRICS and at which summit did it first participate?
SA was invited in 2010, accepted, and first participated in the 2011 BRICS Summit hosted by China. Acronym changed from BRIC to BRICS at this point.
5
BRICS has no Headquarters. But its bank, the New Development Bank, was set up in 2014. Where is the NDB headquartered?
NDB (New Development Bank) HQ: Shanghai, China. Note: BRICS itself has NO headquarters/secretariat. NDB was established in 2014 (decision at 6th BRICS Summit in Brazil). Memory: 'NDB is in Shanghai (not Beijing!)'
BRICS Expansion & Members (5 MCQs)
6
In 2023, BRICS invited 6 new countries at the 15th Summit. Use the mnemonic 'I Ran To See You Indoor' — what does 'Indoor' stand for?
Mnemonic: 'I Ran To See You Indoor' → Iran, Saudi Arabia (Ran To = R.A.), Egypt (E), Ethiopia (E), UAE (U), Indonesia (Indoor). Indonesia joined as the 6th new invitee and most recent full member in 2025.
7
Which country joined BRICS most recently (as of 2026)?
Indonesia is the most recent full member, joining in 2025. Among the 6 invited in 2023, some accepted later. Memory: 'Indonesia = last to join = most recent in 2025'.
8
How many FULL MEMBER countries does BRICS have as of 2026?
BRICS 2026: 11 full member countries. Original 5 (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) + 6 new ones (Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ethiopia, UAE, Indonesia) = 11. Memory: '5 original + 6 new = 11 members'.
9
How many PARTNER COUNTRIES does BRICS have as of 2026, and which is the most recent?
BRICS Partner Countries (2026): 10. Most recent (10th): Vietnam. Partner country tier was formally established at the 2026 (18th) Summit. Memory: 'Vietnam = 10th partner = newest in 2026'.
10
BRICS represents what share of global population (approx.) as of 2026?
BRICS 11 members cover ~49.5% of global population (driven by India + China being world's most populous nations). Also: 40% of global GDP and 26% of global trade.
18th BRICS Summit 2026 – Key Facts (8 MCQs)
11
Where was the 18th BRICS Summit 2026 held and on which dates?
18th BRICS Summit: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, September 12–13, 2026. Hosted by India for the 4th time.
12
India hosted BRICS for the 4th time in 2026. Which were the previous 3 years?
India hosted BRICS in: 2012 → 2016 → 2021 → 2026. Pattern: 4-year gap, then 5-year, then 5-year. Memory: '12, then +4=16, +5=21, +5=26'.
13
What was the theme of India's BRICS Chairmanship (18th Summit 2026)?
Theme: BRICS itself is the acronym: B=Building, R=Resilience, I=Innovation, C=Cooperation, S=Sustainability. Memory: The theme IS the acronym – 'Building Resilience Innovation Cooperation and Sustainability'.
14
What declaration was adopted at the 18th BRICS Summit 2026?
New Delhi Declaration — named after the host city (New Delhi). Pattern: Summit declarations are always named after the host city. Memory: '18th Summit in New Delhi → New Delhi Declaration'.
15
Which country hosted the 17th BRICS Summit (2025), and which country will host the 19th (2027)?
17th Summit (2025) = Brazil hosted. 18th Summit (2026) = India hosted. 19th Summit (2027) = China will host. Chairmanship transferred to China from Jan 1, 2027.
16
PM Modi greeted BRICS leaders against a backdrop of which structure's image?
The backdrop was the Ramanathaswamy Temple corridor in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. This is the LONGEST PILLAR CORRIDOR in the world — 1212 pillars, ~1.17 km long. One of the 12 Jyotirlingas. The outer corridor was built by 18th-century zamindar Muthuramalingam Sethupathi.
17
India gifted Vladimir Putin a book at the 18th BRICS Summit. Which book was gifted?
India gifted Putin the Thirukkural — a Tamil literary classic by Thiruvalluvar (~2000 years ago), dealing with ethics, conduct, and statecraft. A Russian translation was gifted. Memory: 'Thiruvalluvar wrote Thirukkural = Tamil classic gifted to Putin'.
18
Which tree species saplings did BRICS leaders plant together at Bharat Mandapam?
BRICS leaders planted saplings of the Great Banyan Tree (Ficus benghalensis) at Bharat Mandapam. PM Modi also released 2 commemorative stamps inscribed 'BRICS Two Decades of Cooperation 2006–2026'.
New Delhi Declaration – Key Decisions (7 MCQs)
19
What was BRICS's stance on the West Asia conflict in the New Delhi Declaration?
BRICS took a balanced stance: support ceasefire, oppose forced displacement of Palestinians, support Two-State Solution (Israel and Palestine as two separate countries based on 1967 borders), Lebanon ceasefire must continue, no attacks on civilian infrastructure. Indirectly anti-US/Israel without naming them.
20
BRICS opposed unilateral Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms. What does CBAM do?
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM): Developed countries like the US impose heavy tariffs on imports from nations that emit high greenhouse gases during production (e.g., cement). BRICS said this unfairly targets developing nations who can't afford green tech, and opposed its unilateral use.
21
India proposed a 'BRICS Risk Lab' at the 18th Summit. Where will it be located?
BRICS Risk Lab: proposed by India to be set up in GIFT City, Gujarat. Purpose: BRICS nations share business risk solutions (cybersecurity, trade disruption prevention) so members are less dependent on Western technology and funding.
22
What did BRICS announce regarding UNSC reform at the 18th Summit?
BRICS supported UNSC reform: UNSC has 15 members (5 permanent P5 with veto + 10 non-permanent). P5 = China, France, Russia, UK, USA (since 1945). BRICS called this undemocratic and explicitly supported India's bid for permanent UNSC membership.
23
BRICS decided NOT to launch a new common currency. Instead, what did they agree to do?
No new BRICS currency was announced (despite speculation). Instead: promote local currency exchange, make national payment systems interoperable (like India's UPI working in other BRICS nations), faster cross-border payments, BRICS Payment Task Force to oversee this.
24
What is BRICS AgrIN (also called BRICS Grain Exchange) and what does it focus on?
BRICS AgrIN = Agricultural Innovation Network (or Agri Innovation Network). Also called BRICS Grain Exchange. Farmer-centric, non-binding initiative. BRICS nations will share research on seeds, germ plasm, genetic resources for better agriculture. Memory: 'AgrIN = Agri Innovation = farmers sharing seeds'.
25
India raised which terrorist attack in the BRICS terrorism discussions?
India raised the Pahalgam Terror Attack at the BRICS Summit, condemning the killing of civilians. BRICS collectively adopted zero tolerance for terrorism, terror financing, and extremism; recognized the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Working Group.
Leaders at 18th BRICS Summit (5 MCQs)
26
Which country's leader did NOT personally attend the 18th BRICS Summit — sending a Foreign Minister instead?
Brazil's President Lula da Silva was busy with elections; FM Mauro Vieira represented Brazil. Memory: 'La La song → Mauro (Maro) → Brazil sent FM'. Saudi Arabia also sent FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud; UAE sent Crown Prince Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
27
Who is the President of Iran who attended the 18th BRICS Summit?
Iran's President: Masood Pezeshkian. Memory: 'Masoor ki daal (red lentil) → I ran (I RAN away from eating it) + Pesh kiya (presented to me) = Masood Pezeshkian, Iran'.
28
Who is the President of Egypt who attended the 18th BRICS Summit?
Egypt's President: Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Memory: 'Sis = Sister → I and my Sis went to see Egypt's pyramids → el-Sisi, Egypt'.
29
Who is the Prime Minister of Ethiopia who attended the 18th BRICS Summit?
Ethiopia's PM: Abiy Ahmed. Memory: 'Abe + Opia (Ethiopia without Ethi = Opia) → Hey Abe/Abbe, Ethiopia suno = Abiy Ahmed'. Also, Abiy Ahmed won Nobel Peace Prize 2019.
30
Indonesia's President at the 18th BRICS Summit was:
Indonesia: President Prabowo Subianto. Memory: 'Subianto → Subi-aan-to → Sabhi Aao (everyone come) Indoor (Indonesia) = Prabowo Subianto, Indonesia'.
BRICS Practice MCQs (PYQ Style) (5 MCQs)
31
Consider: (1) BRICS was established in 2001. (2) NDB headquarters is in Shanghai. (3) 18th BRICS Summit was held in New Delhi. Which are correct?
Analysis: (1) WRONG — 2001 is when the TERM was coined; BRICS was established in 2006. (2) CORRECT — NDB HQ is in Shanghai. (3) CORRECT — 18th BRICS Summit was at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
32
India has hosted BRICS summits in 2012, 2016, 2021 and 2026. Which country hosted the 2019 BRICS Summit?
2019 BRICS Summit (11th) was hosted by Brazil (Brasília). Pattern of hosting order varies among member states. Brazil also hosted the 17th Summit in 2025.
33
Which acronym correctly expands the theme of India's BRICS Chairmanship 2026?
India's theme: 'Building Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability' — using the BRICS letters themselves as the theme acronym. Very important fact.
34
Which is NOT correct about BRICS NDB (New Development Bank)?
NDB facts: Established 2014, HQ Shanghai, BRICS members have equal voting rights (unlike IMF/World Bank where developed nations dominate). Option D is wrong — NDB is in Shanghai, NOT New Delhi. Note: BRICS itself has NO headquarters.
35
Ramanathaswamy Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. It is located in which city/island?
Ramanathaswamy Temple is in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu (on Pamban Island). It has the world's longest pillar corridor (1,212 pillars, ~1.17 km). This was the backdrop shown at the 18th BRICS Summit welcome ceremony.