All central government offices in Delhi and New Delhi will remain closed on Friday, September 11, in view of the 18th BRICS Leaders' Summit, according to an official memorandum issued Thursday by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. The BRICS Business Forum and Leaders' Summit are scheduled to be held from September 11 to 13 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, and the closure is intended to help facilitate the extensive logistical arrangements required for hosting the high-profile international gathering.
According to the memorandum, the decision to shut central government offices was taken in recognition of the scale of the event and the substantial logistical demands involved in hosting leaders from around 30 BRICS member and partner countries, along with heads of international organisations and business representatives from BRICS nations, including India. "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 11th of September 2026," the order stated, noting that September 12 and 13 already fall on the weekend. The ministry has directed that the decision be communicated to all concerned departments and offices.
The closure order specifically applies to central government offices located in Delhi and New Delhi, and does not, by itself, extend to private offices, schools, banks or other establishments unless separate directives are issued by the relevant authorities. Officials said the move is aimed primarily at easing pressure on the city's transport network and reducing public inconvenience during a period expected to involve extensive security arrangements, traffic diversions and the coordinated movement of VVIP motorcades carrying visiting heads of state and government delegations through the capital.
Also Read: BRICS Summit 2026: UN Chief Antonio Guterres to Attend India Meet
As part of the broader security and logistical preparations for the summit, the Delhi Traffic Police has already begun issuing advisories related to motorcade rehearsals in the lead-up to the event. One such rehearsal, held on September 2 from 10 am to 3 pm, resulted in traffic restrictions and diversions across 22 diversion points and more than 35 roads in the national capital, with motorists advised to plan their routes in advance and use alternate roads wherever possible. Authorities are expected to continue coordinating security arrangements around key venues, government buildings, diplomatic areas and likely delegation routes in the days leading up to the summit.
India assumed the BRICS chairship for 2026 on January 1, marking the fourth time the country has held the position, having previously chaired the grouping in 2012, 2016 and 2021. This year's summit carries particular significance, as it also marks 20 years since the establishment of BRICS, with India's chairship theme centered on "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability." During the summit, discussions among member and partner nations are expected to span political and security cooperation, economic and financial matters, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
The office closure follows a precedent set during India's hosting of the G20 Summit in Delhi in September 2023, when central government offices in the capital were similarly closed for a multi-day period to accommodate that event's logistical and security requirements. With Bharat Mandapam once again serving as the primary venue, authorities are expected to finalize additional security and traffic measures closer to the summit dates as preparations continue across the national capital.
Also Read: 1,204 Lives Lost: Nepal Flood Rescue Efforts Continue Amid Thousands Missing