NEW DELHI: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked universities and colleges across India to actively participate in BRICS Sustainable Lifestyle Week (BSLW) 2026, scheduled from November 1 to 7. The initiative will be organised under Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) as part of India’s BRICS Chairship in 2026. Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) have been requested to conduct activities promoting environmentally responsible lifestyles among students, faculty members and staff.In a communication dated October 30, 2026, the UGC asked institutions to organise awareness programmes, campus activities and community initiatives throughout the week. The programme will focus on seven themes, covering healthy lifestyles, energy conservation, water management, sustainable food systems and waste reduction.Seven themes for BRICS Sustainable Lifestyle WeekThe Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has shared a day-wise activity plan for participating institutions.
| Date | Theme | Suggested activities |
| November 1 | Adopt healthy lifestyles | Yoga, walkathons, tree plantation and LiFE pledge |
| November 2 | Save energy | Switch off non-essential electrical appliances for an hour and conduct awareness sessions |
| November 3 | Save water | Rainwater harvesting, leak repairs and awareness campaigns |
| November 4 | Adopt sustainable food systems | Promote millets, traditional diets and food-waste reduction |
| November 5 | Say no to single-use plastics | Plogging drives and reusable bags and bottles |
| November 6 | Reduce waste | E-waste collection, recycling and repair awareness |
| November 7 | Reduce waste | Community clean-up drives and waste-to-art installations |
UGC asks institutions to involve students and facultyThe UGC has encouraged HEIs to involve all departments, constituent units and field centres in the programme. Student participation will be encouraged through university green clubs, school eco-clubs, National Service Scheme (NSS) and National Cadet Corps (NCC) networks.Institutions have also been asked to display BSLW and Mission LiFE publicity materials across campuses, including digital display boards. They can share photographs, videos, infographics and success stories through their websites and social media platforms using #MissionLiFE, #Proplanetpeople and #BRICSforLiFE.Nodal officers and reporting requirementsEach institution must nominate a nodal officer to register and upload its activities on the MoEFCC’s Meri LiFE portal.The ministry will conduct daily online orientation sessions from October 27 to November 7, 2026, through Webex. The sessions will take place from 11 AM to 1 PM and 3 PM to 5 PM.After the programme concludes, institutions must submit a brief report covering their activities and best practices on the Meri LiFE portal by November 12, 2026.For coordination, institutions can contact MoEFCC scientist Dr H. V. C. Chary Guntupalli through WhatsApp at 9990517580 or email lifemoefcc@gov.in.
