UPSC Mains 2026 · GS II · Q10 · 10 marks · 150 words

“BRICS acts as a powerful counterweight in global governance, actively amplifying the voice and influence of the Global South.” Explain the role of BRICS in projecting itself as an alternative to other groupings.

हिन्दी में

“ब्रिक्स (BRICS) वैश्विक शासन में एक शक्तिशाली संतुलनकारी शक्ति के रूप में कार्य करता है, जो वैश्विक दक्षिण की आवाज़ और प्रभाव को सक्रिय रूप से प्रबल बनाता है ।” ब्रिक्स (BRICS) की भूमिका को समझाइए कि वह स्वयं को अन्य समूहों के विकल्प के रूप में कैसे प्रस्तुत करता है ?

Regional GroupingsGlobal Institutions

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “The expansion of BRICS has been projected as a step towards greater representation for the Global South. Critically examine this claim in the context of growing concerns about China's strategic dominance within the grouping.”

Pakshal SecretryAIR 8 · CSE 2025 · 251 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a date or context

Recently in the Kazan Summit of BRICS, 5 new members: Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, UAE and [Iran?] joined the BRICS grouping.

Expansion of BRICS → greater representation of Global South

Body · points

  1. All the new members are from global south eg Egypt, Ethiopia
  2. Rise in Total Representation

(i) Population share rose to 46% of world's population

Diagram
- Pie chart showing population share - Sector labelled BRICS representing 46% - Sector labelled Non BRICS

(ii) Share of BRICS in to total GDP of would to 30%.

Diagram
- Bar chart comparing BRICS GDP share - Left bar labelled BRICS showing 24% - Right bar labelled BRICS+ showing 30% - Arrow indicating growth from 24% to 30%

③ Two of the Biggest nation of Global South leaders are its member eg India, China

④ Observer States → ensures more comprehensive representation of global south.

⑤ Initiatives for Global South (i) NDB → Provides finance to global south (ii) BRICS Bridge Platform → To improve infrastructure in global south (iii) Call for more representation of global south in multilateral institutions

Limitation of BRICS (i) Overshadowing by China (i) China share in BRICS GDP = 63% of Total. (ii) China has 40% of Total BRICS population.

(2) Dominance of China in decision → CNN Report → Expansion was initially opposed by India but China dominated (3) financing of NDB → China major contributor (4) BRICS is seen as anti-west organisation (5) RC vs BIS Divide in BRICS (Two Axis) (6) Self-serving nature of Russia & China → Didn't come to help Global South in pandemic.

Way forward (1) Diversifying cooperation areas (2) Separate platform for engaging with Global South within BRICS (3) Trade in local currency

Close · a way forward

"Expansion of BRICS is reminder to all Multilateral body to evolve with changing times" - PM Modi

1 more topper’s answer to this question, part by part, and how they all approached it: open the question.

Toppers’ answers to other close questions

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026, General Studies Paper II, Q10. The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.