Bhubaneswar is set to take centre stage on the global education map as it hosts the BRICS-India Education Track Meetings from 5 to 7 August 2026.
The high-profile international gatherings, being organised under India’s BRICS chairmanship, will bring together education ministers, senior officials and experts from the 11-member grouping for intensive discussions on strengthening education systems across the Global South.
A comprehensive preparatory meeting was held on 31 July at the Conference Hall of Lok Seva Bhawan under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Smt. Anu Garg to ensure flawless execution of the event. Officials reviewed every aspect of logistics, protocol, security, transport, medical facilities and inter-departmental coordination.
The meetings will take place at Hotel Mayfair Lagoon. More than 200 delegates are expected, including eight education ministers from BRICS member countries, around 40 senior officials, representatives of the Government of India and other distinguished guests.
The programme schedule is packed. On 5 August, the Third BRICS Education Senior Officials’ Meeting will be held. The following day will feature detailed deliberations among education ministers and senior officials of the member states. The highlight will come on 7 August with the 13th BRICS Education Ministers’ Meeting. Delegates will also visit the World Skill Centre in Bhubaneswar.
India’s BRICS chairmanship theme emphasises a people-centric and human-welfare approach, focusing on resilience, innovation, mutual cooperation and sustainable development to address global challenges. Priority areas for the education track include strengthening early childhood care and education, enhancing skills development and collaboration under the BRICS Technical and Vocational Education and Training Cooperation Mechanism (TCA), promoting collaborative research, innovation and start-ups, advancing mutual recognition of qualifications (MRQ), and building capacity for educational leadership.
Dr K.M. Praffullachandra Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India, joined the preparatory meeting virtually and provided a detailed briefing. Discussions covered airport-to-hotel transfers, protocol arrangements, security, transport, liaison officers, coordination with embassies, cultural programmes, local sightseeing for delegates, medical support and ambulance services. Chief Secretary Anu Garg assured full support from the Odisha government and directed all departments to work in close coordination.
Among those present were Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Deoranjan Kumar Singh, Higher Education Commissioner and Secretary Aravind Agrawal, Health Commissioner and Secretary Ashwathy S., Skill Development, Technical Education and Sports Commissioner and Secretary Bhupendra Singh Punia, and Special Secretary Home R.K. Sharma, along with other senior officials.
BRICS currently comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. While the grouping has been holding summits since 2006, 2026 marks India’s turn to host key track meetings. Just last month, Puri hosted the BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group technical meeting, underscoring Odisha’s growing role in facilitating international cooperation.
As the countdown begins, Bhubaneswar is ready to welcome the world and contribute to shaping a more collaborative, innovative and inclusive future for education across BRICS nations.
