The 16th BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) ended in Chennai, preceding the 14th BRICS STI Ministerial Meeting. Held under India's BRICS Chairship 2026 with the theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability", it was coordinated by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and hosted by IIT Madras. Delegates reviewed BRICS STI Working Groups, priority areas and the BRICS STI Framework Programme, along with upcoming events like the BRICS Young Scientist Forum and the Young Innovator's Prize.