India Joins BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies

India’s Strategic Entry into BCIC

India Joins BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies: India has formally joined the BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies (BCIC), reinforcing its commitment to industrial skill development and workforce readiness. The announcement was made at an official event organised by DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in New Delhi. This move aligns with India’s broader manufacturing and MSME strengthening agenda.

The partnership is significant as BCIC operates under the broader BRICS framework with technical support from UNIDO. It aims to equip industries with modern competencies required for globally competitive manufacturing.

Static GK fact: BRICS currently includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, representing over 40% of the global population.

What is the BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies

The BCIC functions as a multilateral platform offering integrated support services to manufacturing enterprises and MSMEs. It focuses on capacity building, technology adoption, and productivity enhancement across BRICS nations.

The centre acts as a knowledge hub, enabling countries to share best practices and industrial expertise. It particularly addresses challenges faced by emerging economies in modernising production systems.

Focus on Industry 4.0 Capabilities

A core mandate of BCIC is strengthening Industry 4.0 competencies, which involve digitalisation of manufacturing processes. This includes automation, data analytics, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things.

Industry 4.0 enables smart factories, predictive maintenance, and real-time decision-making. For Indian manufacturers, this transition is essential to improve efficiency and meet global quality standards.

Static GK Tip: Industry 4.0 is referred to as the fourth industrial revolution, following mechanisation, electrification, and computerisation.

Trust Fund Agreement with UNIDO

India’s participation has been formalised through a Trust Fund Agreement signed between DPIIT and UNIDO. This agreement establishes the financial and operational framework for India’s engagement with BCIC.

The agreement reflects a long-term commitment to industrial capacity building. It also ensures access to UNIDO’s global expertise and internationally accepted methodologies.

National Productivity Council as India’s BCIC Hub

The National Productivity Council (NPC) has been designated as India’s focal institution for BCIC. NPC will operate under DPIIT’s policy guidance with technical support from UNIDO.

NPC will lead training programmes, productivity improvement initiatives, and knowledge dissemination. Its nationwide presence enables outreach to industries across regions and sectors.

Static GK fact: NPC was established in 1958 and functions as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Importance for MSMEs and Manufacturing

MSMEs form the backbone of India’s industrial ecosystem but often face technology and skill gaps. BCIC provides targeted capacity building to help MSMEs adopt advanced manufacturing practices.

For large manufacturers, the centre supports efficiency improvement and global competitiveness. This complements initiatives such as Make in India and the PLI Scheme.

Strengthening BRICS Cooperation

By joining BCIC, India enhances South-South cooperation within BRICS. The platform enables technology sharing, industrial collaboration, and peer learning among developing economies.

BCIC also strengthens institutional linkages and promotes practical, outcome-oriented cooperation. This supports shared industrial growth among BRICS members.

Employment and Skill Development Impact

Modern manufacturing requires a skilled workforce capable of handling advanced technologies. BCIC-supported programmes focus on reskilling and upskilling industrial workers.

This approach supports employment generation while ensuring workforce readiness for future manufacturing environments. It aligns industrial growth with inclusive development goals.

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India Joins BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies: