The spotlight will be on education cooperation this week as India hosts the 13th BRICS Education Ministers’ Meeting in Bhubaneswar from August 5 to 7. Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi is scheduled to participate in the meeting, which is being held under India’s BRICS Chairship 2026.Alongside the ministerial meeting, the 3rd BRICS Senior Officials’ Meeting will also take place in the Odisha capital, bringing together ministers, senior officials and delegates from BRICS member countries to discuss common priorities in education.In a statement, the Ministry of Education said, “The Ministry of Education, under India’s BRICS chairship 2026, is scheduled to host the 13th BRICS Education Ministers’ Meeting and the 3rd BRICS Senior Officials’ Meeting from August 5-7, 2026 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.”
Focus on early education and skills
The agenda stretches from classrooms to workplaces.One of the key discussions will centre on Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), an area that has gained attention as countries work to improve learning outcomes from the foundational years.Another major focus will be Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). Member countries are expected to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation under the BRICS TVET Cooperation Alliance, with an emphasis on skills development and preparing a workforce that can respond to changing economic needs.The ministry said the meeting will deliberate on “strengthening early childhood care and education (ECCE) and skill development and enhanced cooperation under the BRICS TVET Cooperation Alliance.”
Research, start-ups and recognition of qualifications
The discussions are not limited to school and vocational education.Education ministers are also expected to deliberate on promoting collaborative research, innovation and start-ups across BRICS countries. Other issues on the agenda include mutual recognition of academic qualifications and capacity building for academic leadership.These areas are aimed at making it easier for institutions and students across BRICS nations to work together through academic partnerships and research collaborations.
India’s chairship theme
According to the Ministry of Education, India’s BRICS Chairship 2026 is guided by the theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”The ministry said the theme reflects the people-first approach outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 2025 BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
A year of BRICS education engagements
The meeting in Bhubaneswar is part of a series of education-related engagements organised during India’s BRICS chairship.The first and second BRICS Senior Officials’ Meetings were held on April 7 and April 28. They were followed by the BRICS Network University Conference and the International Governing Board Meeting on July 20 and 21.Ahead of this week’s ministerial meeting, the BRICS TVET Symposium and the Joint Management Committee Meeting of the BRICS TVET Cooperation Alliance were held in New Delhi on August 3 and 4 under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.According to the ministry, these meetings are intended to deepen cooperation in technical and vocational education, skills development, workforce preparedness and the exchange of research and best practices among BRICS countries.
Students also brought into the process
India’s BRICS chairship is also attempting to involve students alongside government-level discussions.The ministry said Model BRICS has been conceptualised as a student-focused initiative to be organised alongside BRICS ministerial meetings across the country.According to the statement, the initiative seeks to familiarise young people with BRICS processes while strengthening their understanding of diplomacy, multilateral cooperation and consensus-building.
What is BRICS?
BRICS was originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.The grouping expanded in 2024 with the inclusion of Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. Indonesia joined the bloc in 2025, making it one of the largest multilateral groupings representing emerging economies.(with inputs from PTI)
