BRICS Summit Impact: Courts and Government Offices Change Schedule in Delhi. (Img: Google)
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has declared September 11, 2026, as a holiday due to arrangements related to the 18th BRICS Leaders Summit. The decision comes as the national capital enters a high-security phase ahead of the international gathering, with government offices, courts and several institutions changing their schedules.
The announcement has drawn attention as the BRICS Summit is expected to bring global leaders, diplomatic teams and senior officials to the national capital, leading to extensive security deployment, traffic management measures and administrative changes across Delhi.
The Supreme Court Administrative General Branch issued a circular on Tuesday, confirming that the Full Court has approved the holiday for the Supreme Court and its Registry on September 11.
The Supreme Court Registry will also remain closed on September 12, which falls on Saturday. As a compensatory arrangement, November 28, 2026, has been declared a full working Saturday for the Supreme Court.
The holiday decision follows an Office Memorandum issued by the Department of Personnel and Training under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
The order directed the closure of Central Government offices located in Delhi and New Delhi on September 11 due to the BRICS Leaders Summit and related arrangements.
The move is linked to large-scale security preparations, movement of international delegations and expected traffic restrictions around important areas of the capital.
Authorities are taking preventive measures to ensure smooth movement of foreign leaders and avoid major disruption during the high-profile diplomatic event.
The Delhi government has already declared September 11 as a public holiday for government offices, autonomous bodies and public sector undertakings operating under the Delhi administration.
The notification issued by the General Administration Department covers several government departments, civic bodies and public institutions. The decision applies mainly to government-controlled organisations. Private offices and businesses will continue to follow their own schedules unless separate directions are issued.
The impact of the BRICS Summit preparations has also reached Delhi’s judicial institutions. The Delhi High Court, the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) and the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) have announced schedule changes for September 11.
NCLAT has declared its Principal Bench in New Delhi and Registry closed on the day of the summit-related holiday. Cases listed before NCLAT on September 11 will now be taken up on September 14.
The decision is expected to reduce inconvenience for lawyers, litigants and court employees who may face difficulties due to security checks, traffic diversions and restricted movement in parts of Delhi.
The 18th BRICS Leaders Summit will be held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi from September 12 to 13, 2026. India is hosting the summit under its BRICS chairship, making the event a major diplomatic milestone for the country.
The summit is expected to bring together leaders from BRICS nations, partner countries, international organisations and business representatives. Key discussions are likely to focus on global economic cooperation, trade, energy security, food security, financial reforms and strengthening the voice of developing nations.
Security agencies, Delhi Police, traffic authorities and civic departments are working on detailed arrangements to manage the movement of international delegations.
Residents in several parts of Delhi may experience traffic diversions, security checks and restricted movement during the summit period. The closure of government offices and courts is part of a wider strategy to manage pressure on roads and public infrastructure.
The 2026 BRICS Summit holds special significance as India continues to play a key role in shaping discussions among emerging economies. India has earlier hosted BRICS summits in 2012, 2016 and 2021. The 2026 summit also marks two decades since the formation of the grouping. The event is expected to highlight India’s diplomatic outreach and its role in discussions around global economic reforms.
Authorities are expected to issue further updates regarding traffic restrictions, security guidelines and public movement plans as the summit dates approach. Government offices and courts affected by the holiday will resume normal operations after the scheduled closure. For Delhi residents, the biggest concerns will remain travel planning, road diversions and changes in daily movement during the BRICS Summit period.
