NEW DELHI: Central government offices in Delhi and New Delhi, as well as Delhi government offices, autonomous bodies and public sector undertakings under the Delhi government, will remain closed on September 11, in view of the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit being hosted in the national capital.The Delhi government declared September 11, which falls on a Friday, as a holiday through a notification issued by its general administration department on Thursday.The decision was taken in view of the BRICS Summit and the arrangements connected with it, news agency PTI reported.According to an official memorandum issued by the ministry of personnel, public grievances and pensions, the closure of central government offices was decided considering the scale of the event, the extensive logistical arrangements required and the need to minimise inconvenience to the public.The ministry has directed that the decision be communicated to all concerned, news agency ANI reported.The Delhi government notification said the holiday would apply to all government offices, autonomous bodies and public sector undertakings under the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi.September 12 and 13 fall on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.The order for central government offices states: “Recognising the magnitude of this event, the substantial logistical arrangements involved, and to minimise inconvenience to the general public, it has been decided to keep the Central Government offices located in Delhi/New Delhi closed on Friday, the September 11, 2026 (September 12 and 13, 2026 being Saturday and Sunday respectively).”
BRICS Summit from Sept 11 to 13
The BRICS Business Forum and the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit are scheduled to be held from September 11 to 13 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, ANI reported.The summit is expected to be attended by leaders from around 30 BRICS member and partner countries, along with heads of international organisations and business representatives from BRICS nations, including India.The move to keep government offices closed comes as authorities step up security and traffic arrangements in the capital ahead of the summit.Delhi Police has intensified security around 10 hotels designated for visiting dignitaries and delegates, while 22 diversion points have been earmarked to facilitate their movement.The summit-related arrangements are also expected to involve traffic restrictions and diversions as authorities prepare for the movement of visiting delegations in the city.
India’s BRICS chairship
India’s BRICS Chairship this year is guided by the theme: “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, reflecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a people-centric approach rooted in the spirit of “Humanity First.”During the summit, leaders will also discuss strengthening intra-BRICS cooperation on common priorities and exchange views on global and regional issues of mutual importance, ANI reported.Under India’s chairship, more than 350 meetings and high-level engagements have been held across over 25 cities in the country.These engagements aim to strengthen the BRICS strategic partnership across three key pillars, political and security, economic and financial, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.India’s BRICS Chairship has also sought to advance cooperation through practical and development-oriented outcomes through business-to-business and people-to-people initiatives.India is a founding member of BRICS and has previously held the chairship three times, in 2012, 2016 and 2021.India assumed its fourth BRICS Chairship on January 1, 2026. The year also marks 20 years since the establishment of BRICS.(With agency inputs)