On June 9, 2026, Indian and Russian officials discussed the BRICS university rankings project during a bilateral meeting in Moscow, according to a statement from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. The project aims to create a ranking system for universities within the BRICS bloc (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) to promote academic excellence and cooperation.
The discussions focused on developing a methodology that reflects the diverse educational systems of BRICS nations, moving beyond traditional Western-centric metrics. Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov led the talks, emphasizing the need for a transparent and inclusive framework.
This initiative, first proposed at the 2023 BRICS summit, has gained traction as member states seek to strengthen higher education ties. The ranking system is expected to be piloted in 2027, with input from academic experts across the bloc.
