India joins BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies; National Productivity Council named India Centre
India joined the BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies (BCIC) at a DPIIT event at Vanijya Bhavan, New Delhi, on 4 February 2026, signing a Trust Fund Agreement with UNIDO.
Summary
India joined the BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies (BCIC) at an event organised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) at Vanijya Bhavan, New Delhi, on 4 February 2026. The BCIC, launched in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), is a one-stop centre that supports manufacturing companies and MSMEs across BRICS countries, with a focus on Industry 4.0 competencies. DPIIT Economic Adviser Agrim Kaushal and UNIDO Director Dr Cristiano Pasini signed a Trust Fund Agreement formalising India's participation. The National Productivity Council (NPC) was designated as the India Centre for BRICS Industrial Competencies.
Key facts
- Joined
- 4 February 2026, Vanijya Bhavan, New Delhi
- BCIC
- One-stop centre for manufacturing and MSMEs in BRICS; Industry 4.0 focus
- Partner
- UNIDO
- Agreement
- DPIIT–UNIDO Trust Fund Agreement (Agrim Kaushal, Dr Cristiano Pasini)
- India Centre
- National Productivity Council (NPC)
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Which body has been designated as the India Centre for BRICS Industrial Competencies?
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Correct answer: A — National Productivity Council
The National Productivity Council (NPC) was designated as the India Centre for BRICS Industrial Competencies.
The BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies was launched in partnership with which UN agency?
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Correct answer: B — UNIDO
The BCIC was launched in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
Consider the following about India joining the BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies (February 2026): 1. India's participation was formalised through a Trust Fund Agreement between DPIIT and UNIDO. 2. The BCIC focuses on strengthening Industry 4.0 competencies of manufacturing companies and MSMEs. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the DPIIT release.