India joins BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies to promote manufacturing sector

Key facts

• India joined the BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies (BCIC) on 4 February 2026.
• BCIC was launched by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in 2025.
• The National Productivity Council (NPC) has been designated as the India Centre for BCIC.
• A trust fund agreement formalising India’s participation was signed between the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and UNIDO.
• The agreement was signed by Economic Adviser, DPIIT, Agrim Kaushal, and Director, UNIDO, Cristiano Pasini.
• NPC will operate under DPIIT’s policy direction to support capacity building and manufacturing-related initiatives for MSMEs within the BRICS framework.
• The launch event was presided over by Secretary, DPIIT, Amardeep Singh Bhatia.
• Attendees included senior officials from DPIIT, the Ministry of MSME, the Ministry of External Affairs, UNIDO representatives, and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).