BRICS summit in Delhi: GST Council meet postponed, schools and offices to remain shut; all you need to know

The 57th GST Council meeting, scheduled to be held in New Delhi on September 12, has been postponed to October 7 as the national capital gears up to host the BRICS summit.

The meeting will now be preceded by a meeting of officers on October 5 and 6, reported PTI, citing people familiar with the matter.

The rescheduling comes as New Delhi prepares for the annual BRICS summit, which India is hosting on September 12 and 13.

The summit is expected to discuss a range of global issues, including the economic consequences of the ongoing West Asia crisis.

The GST Council, chaired by the Union finance minister and comprising state finance ministers, is the apex decision-making body on goods and services tax.

The BRICS grouping, which originally comprised Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, expanded in 2024 with the inclusion of Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the UAE. Indonesia joined the grouping in 2025.

Delhi schools, central govt offices to remain closed

The summit-related preparations have also led to changes in normal functioning in the national capital.

All schools in Delhi, including government, government-aided and recognised private schools, will remain closed on September 11, according to an order issued by the Directorate of Education.

"All offices and schools under the directorate of education (including government aided and unaided recognised private schools) shall observe holiday on September 11, 2026," the order dated September 5 said.

All central government offices in Delhi and New Delhi will also remain closed on September 11, the Personnel Ministry said, citing the scale of the event and the logistical arrangements involved.

BRICS Leaders' Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam

The BRICS Business Forum and the 18th BRICS Leaders' Summit are scheduled to be held from September 11 to 13 at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital.

The summit is expected to be attended by leaders from around 30 BRICS member and partner countries, heads of international organisations and business representatives from BRICS nations.

The New Delhi Municipal Council has put in place an extensive civic management plan for the summit period, including a round-the-clock Integrated Command and Control Centre at Palika Kendra.

The centre will function from September 5 to 14, with nodal officers from various departments working in shifts to monitor civic services, handle complaints and coordinate with agencies such as the Delhi Police, Traffic Police and the Central Public Works Department.

The civic body has divided 41 major roads into 14 circles, each under a nodal officer who will conduct daily inspections.

NDMC has also planned beautification and cleanliness measures, including floral boards at 15 locations, flower fountains at nine locations and special illumination at 17 roundabouts.

Special sanitation arrangements will be in place from September 9 to 14, with additional personnel, mechanical sweepers, scrubbers, temporary dustbins and mobile toilets being deployed.

Around 300 sanitation workers have been deployed on the night shift, along with 10 mechanical road sweepers, while 120 workers are on the evening shift, officials said.

Mechanised cleaning operations include the deployment of 15 Gobbler machines during the day and 11 pressure-jetting machines for deep cleaning of roads, footpaths, markets and other public spaces.

Major markets are being cleaned three times a day, while door-to-door waste collection and trolley lifting have also been intensified in high-footfall areas.

Delhi civic services, medical facilities put on alert

The civic body will also undertake pothole and footpath repairs, maintain road signs and railings, strengthen drainage arrangements and inspect public toilets.

Ambulances and medical teams will be deployed at identified locations, while food establishments will be inspected and mosquito-control measures stepped up.

NDMC will also display BRICS branding on 154 digital screens and around 83 public and common toilet facilities as part of the summit-related publicity campaign.

The council has asked heads of departments and other officials to remain available round the clock during the 10-day period from September 5 to 14.