Overview
Shri Jitin Prasada, Minister of State for Ministry of Commerce & Industry, inaugurated the GBRC 2026 at the IIFT, a Deemed‑to‑be University. The theme, “Managing Business Amidst Worldwide Turbulence”, reflects the current global uncertainty and India’s ambition to stay among the fastest‑growing major economies.
Key Developments
- Inauguration by Shri Jitin Prasada on 2026 highlighting India’s resilient growth despite geopolitical shocks.
- Special session on BRICS amid a multipolar world.
- Directors' Conclaves on internationalisation, AI in management education, and innovation.
- Doctoral Colloquium for Ph‑D scholars to present research and receive feedback.
- Participation of senior academic leaders from IIMs, IIT Bombay, ISB, MDI Gurgaon, BIMTECH and other premier institutions.
Important Facts
The conference attracted research papers across finance, marketing, strategy, global trade, operations, IT‑analytics and public policy. Technical sessions offered evidence‑based insights for policy makers. A valedictory session on June 5, 2026 will present the conference report and award the best papers, posters and doctoral contributions.
Vice‑Chancellor Prof. Rakesh Mohan Joshi emphasized IIFT’s expanding international collaborations and its role as a centre of excellence in trade and policy research. He noted that geopolitical shifts and technological disruptions, especially AI, are reshaping the global business landscape.
UPSC Relevance
- Understanding the role of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry helps aspirants answer questions on trade policy and industrial strategy (GS3).
- The focus on BRICS highlights India’s multilateral engagements, a frequent topic in international relations (GS1) and economic cooperation (GS3).
- Discussions on AI in education and industry illustrate the impact of technology on economic growth and ethical considerations (GS3, GS4).
- The conference’s emphasis on research‑driven policy inputs aligns with the UPSC emphasis on evidence‑based governance and the role of think‑tanks (GS4).
Way Forward
Policy makers are expected to incorporate the conference’s recommendations into trade and industrial strategies, especially in AI adoption and international collaboration. Academic institutions should continue to strengthen research linkages with government to provide timely inputs on emerging challenges. For UPSC candidates, tracking such forums offers insight into the evolving priorities of the Indian economy and its global positioning.