Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Education on 12th August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
The Ministry of Education reported on the BRICS Network University (BRICS NU) meetings held in July 2026 during India's BRICS Chairship. The discussions focused on the preservation and documentation of traditional and indigenous knowledge systems in the digital age. Key developments include India's proposal to establish a 12th International Thematic Group (ITG) and the adoption of a declaration during the 13th BRICS Education Ministers Meeting on August 7, 2026.
Key Points / Main Content
BRICS NU Conference (July 20, 2026)
The virtual conference addressed the theme "Need and Challenges of Preservation of Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge Systems in the Digital Age."
Sessions covered the mapping, documentation, protection, and the role of digital technologies in preserving traditional knowledge.
India shared "Guiding Principles on Strengthening Collaboration on Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge System" with member nations.
International Governing Board (IGB) Meeting (July 21, 2026)
The IGB reviewed collaborative activities among 178 participating universities.
The network currently operates through 11 International Thematic Groups (ITGs).
Institutional Framework and Proposals
Each BRICS member country may nominate two Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) per ITG; India currently has 22 participating institutions.
India formally proposed "Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge System" as the 12th ITG.
This proposal was officially recognized in the Declaration of the 13th BRICS Education Ministers Meeting held on August 7, 2026.
Impact Analysis
BRICS Member CountriesImpact
Member nations are now integrated into a collaborative framework for the digital preservation of indigenous knowledge.
Action Required
Member countries must deliberate on the "Guiding Principles" shared by India and coordinate on the transition toward the newly proposed 12th International Thematic Group.
Indian Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs)Impact
The 22 participating Indian institutions are positioned as leaders in the documentation and protection of traditional knowledge systems.
Action Required
Nominated HEIs must continue their collaborative research and documentation efforts within the existing 11 ITGs and prepare for the implementation of the 12th ITG.
BRICS Network University International Governing Board (IGB)Impact
The IGB is responsible for managing the expansion of the thematic groups and the activities of the 178 member universities.
Action Required
The IGB must facilitate the formal inclusion of the "Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge System" as the 12th ITG following the ministerial declaration.
Key Entities Referenced
BRICS Network University (BRICS NU): A collaborative educational initiative involving a consortium of higher education institutions from BRICS member countries focusing on joint research and educational themes.
International Governing Board (IGB): The administrative body that oversees the collaborative activities and institutional participation of the 178 member universities within the BRICS Network University.
International Thematic Groups (ITGs): Specific research and educational focus areas within the BRICS NU; India proposed the 12th group dedicated to Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge Systems.
Guiding Principles on Strengthening Collaboration on Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge System: A policy document shared by India to establish a framework for member countries to cooperate on the documentation and digital preservation of traditional knowledge.
13th BRICS Education Ministers Meeting: A high-level ministerial meeting where the declaration adopting India's proposal for the new thematic focus on indigenous knowledge systems was formally mentioned.
Ministry of Education
Parliament Question: IGB Meeting Of BRICS
Network University
प्रव तथ: 12 AUG 2026 6:38PM by PIB Delhi
During India’s BRICS Chairship 2026, the Ministry of Education organized the BRICS Network
University (BRICS NU) conference, virtually, on 20th July 2026. The theme of the meeting was "Need and
Challenges of Preservation of Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge Systems in the Digital Age". The
Conference was divided into three sessions - (i) Mapping, Identification and Systematic Documentation of
Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge Systems across BRICS Countries, (ii) Preservation and Protection
of Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge Systems and (iii) Role of Digital Technologies in Preserving
Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge Systems.
During these sessions, subject experts from India and BRICS member countries held deliberations on
mapping, identification, systematic documentation, preservation, protection and using digital technologies
in preserving traditional and indigenous knowledge systems. India shared the “Guiding Principles on
Strengthening Collaboration on Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge System” with the member
countries of BRICS.
The International Governing Board Meeting (IGB) of the BRICS NU took place, virtually, on 21st July
2026. During the meeting, members of the IGB presented updates on the collaborative activities among
the 178 participating universities across 11 International Thematic Groups (ITGs) in the BRICS NU.
Under the BRICS NU, each BRICS Member Country has the option to nominate two Higher Educational
Institutes which work on subjects of focus in 11 International Thematic Groups (ITGs). India has 22
Institutions within the BRICS NU. India proposed “Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge System” as the
12th ITG during the BRICS NU and IGB meetings and has also been mentioned in the Declaration
adopted during the 13th BRICS Education Ministers Meeting on 7th August 2026.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Education, Dr Sukanta Majumdar in a written
reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
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