New Delhi : The 14th BRICS Science Ministerial Meeting, held under India’s chairship, concluded with the unanimous adoption of the ‘Chennai Consensus’, reaffirming the grouping’s commitment to building a stronger, resilient and future-oriented framework for Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) cooperation.
The consensus was announced by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences and MoS in the Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, during the closing session of the ministerial meeting.
The Chennai Consensus puts a people-centred and humanity-first approach at the core of BRICS scientific cooperation. It focuses on sustainable development, inclusive growth, resilience and the use of technology and innovation to improve the quality of life of people across BRICS countries.
Addressing the closing session, Dr. Jitendra Singh said the discussions had demonstrated the increasingly important role of science, technology and innovation in tackling shared global challenges. Deliberations covered a wide spectrum of areas, including Artificial Intelligence, High-Performance Computing, quantum technologies, advanced materials, biotechnology, healthcare, climate change and sustainability.
Stronger Research Cooperation and Shared Infrastructure
The Chennai Consensus reflects the expanding scope of BRICS STI collaboration, which now includes 14 thematic Working Groups, 11 editions of the BRICS Young Scientist Forum, nine editions of the Young Innovators Prize and nine BRICS STI Framework Programme calls covering research, innovation and flagship projects.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said India’s chairship theme of “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability” should translate into practical partnerships, stronger research networks, greater mobility for scientists, shared research facilities and increased opportunities for young researchers and innovators.
A key outcome of the meeting was greater emphasis on shared research infrastructure and mega-science projects. The consensus welcomed the work of the BRICS Working Group on Research Infrastructures and Mega-science Projects, including its Action Plan and the Terms of Reference for a dedicated Task Force.
The meeting also noted progress towards operationalising the BRICS Global Research Advanced Infrastructure Network (BRICS GRAIN), which aims to facilitate access to major research facilities, researcher mobility, joint scientific work and collaboration on large-scale infrastructure.
BRICS Science and Research Repository
The consensus also welcomed the BRICS Science and Research Repository, envisaged as a digital platform for sharing scientific knowledge and improving visibility of research capabilities across member countries.
The proposed repository could help map research institutions, scientists, research outputs, datasets, infrastructure and potential areas for collaboration, while promoting open science and knowledge exchange in accordance with national regulations and data governance requirements.
Focus on Young Scientists and Startups
The people-centric approach extends to developing scientific talent and innovation ecosystems. The Chennai Consensus encourages greater interaction among young scientists and innovators and supports continued programmes under the BRICS Young Scientist Forum and BRICS Young Innovator Prize.
It also takes note of progress under the BRICS STI Entrepreneurship Partnership, aimed at connecting incubators, accelerators and early-stage investors, while improving opportunities for young innovators and researchers to access markets and collaborate across countries.
The BRICS Youth Startup Platform also received support. The consensus highlighted the importance of increasing access to finance for early- and growth-stage startups and noted discussions around a possible BRICS Startup Innovation Fund, in coordination with the STI track where appropriate.
Cooperation Across Emerging Technologies
The Chennai Consensus covers a broad range of scientific and technological priorities, including Artificial Intelligence and High-Performance Computing, biotechnology and human health, materials science and nanotechnology, photonics, astronomy, geospatial technologies, renewable energy, ocean and polar science, disaster management, and social sciences and humanities.
It also supports continued cooperation in quantum technologies, encouraging scientists, universities and innovation communities to pursue practical collaborations and joint research projects.
Dr. Jitendra Singh stressed that BRICS cooperation in science and technology must now move increasingly from dialogue towards measurable outcomes, including joint projects, coordinated research calls, shared platforms and accessible research infrastructure.
He said that as BRICS continues to expand, its STI cooperation should remain responsive to the needs of the Global South, with advanced technologies made more accessible, affordable and responsibly deployed for improving people’s lives.
STI Calendar for 2026-27 Endorsed
The ministerial meeting also endorsed the BRICS STI Calendar of Activities for 2026-27, ensuring continuity of the Working Groups, Steering Committee, Senior Officials’ process, Young Scientist Forum, Young Innovator Prize and other thematic programmes.
The Chennai Consensus also marks the transition of the BRICS STI ministerial process to the next chairship, with the next BRICS Science Ministerial Meeting scheduled to be held under China’s chairship in 2027.
Dr. Jitendra Singh thanked the participating BRICS ministers, delegations, experts and scientific communities for their contributions. He also acknowledged the work of the Department of Science and Technology and partner institutions in steering India’s BRICS STI chairship towards concrete outcomes.
The adoption of the Chennai Consensus marks an important step towards a more integrated BRICS scientific ecosystem, with greater emphasis on shared research, scientific infrastructure, innovation, talent mobility and collective responses to global challenges. Under India’s chairship, BRICS STI cooperation has been given a stronger focus on practical collaboration, sustainable development and technology-driven progress across the Global South.