India Joins BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies to Support Manufacturing and MSMEs

Current Context: On 4 February 2026, India joined the BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies (BCIC). The event took place at Vanijya Bhavan, New Delhi.

• A Trust Fund Agreement was signed between Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
• National Productivity Council (NPC) was designated as the India Centre for BCIC.
• NPC will provide technical handholding to MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) for advanced manufacturing.
• Operates under DPIIT policy guidance with UNIDO technical support to modernize manufacturing and integrate MSMEs into global value chains.

Question:

Q.1 Which organisation has been identified as India’s nodal centre for the BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies?
a) National Skill Development Corporation
b) National Productivity Council
c) Bureau of Indian Standards
d) Small Industries Development Bank of India

Answer: b) The National Productivity Council (NPC) was designated as the India Centre for BCIC.