UGC announces 7-day ‘Green Campus’ campaign as part of BRICS Sustainable Lifestyle Week, 2026
New Delhi: What if turning off unused lights, using a reusable water bottle or repairing an electrical gadget becomes part of a sustainability drive of your institution? Institutions of higher education across India are invited to engage their student communities to make such everyday changes to their lifestyles to participate in the BRICS Sustainable Lifestyle Week (BSLW), 202
The University Grants Commission (UGC) issued a circular on 30 October 2026, to all universities and higher education institutions inviting them to engage the student community in various activities under the framework of ‘Mission LiFE’ between November 1-7, 2026.
As India assumes the BRICS Chairship in 2026, the campaign aims to foster among the student community an understanding of positive changes that they can make to their lifestyle to keep the environment clean and healthy.
BRICS Sustainable Lifestyle Week 2026: Seven Themes and Activity Schedule
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has shared a day-wise activity plan for participating institutions. Universities and colleges are expected to organise suitable programmes according to these themes.
|
Date |
Daily theme |
Suggested activities |
|
November 1 |
Adopt Healthy Lifestyles |
LiFE pledge, walkathons, cyclothons, yoga sessions, tree plantation and poster competitions |
|
November 2 |
Save Energy |
Switching off non-essential electrical appliances, energy conservation workshops and webinars |
|
November 3 |
Save Water |
Water conservation awareness, repairing leaks, rainwater harvesting and poster competitions |
|
November 4 |
Adopt Sustainable Food Systems |
Promoting millets and traditional diets, reducing food waste and composting |
|
November 5 |
Say No to Single-use Plastics |
Plogging drives, reusable bags and bottles, plastic-free campus campaigns and sustainable fashion awareness |
|
November 6 |
Reduce E-waste |
E-waste collection, repair and reuse awareness, authorised recycling and LiFE pledges |
|
November 7 |
Reduce Waste |
Community clean-up drives, campus cleanliness activities and Waste to Art installations |
What Will Occur During Each Day of the Campaign?
1 November: Adopt Healthy Lifestyles
The first day of the month will focus on developing healthier and more sustainable lifestyles. Different institutions may organize the launch of a LiFE pledge; walkathons, cyclothons; essay and poster contests; storytelling and plantation drives under Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, yoga, and awareness displays.
2 November: Save Energy
Institutions may decide to switch off non-essential electrical devices and appliances for one hour. The head of the institution will determine the time ensuring essential functions of the institution are not impacted. Webinars and workshops on energy conservation and energy efficient home appliances are also suggested.
3 November: Save Water
Different awareness activities may include repairing leaking water infrastructure, drip irrigation, and water conserving practices in gardens and lawns. Discussions and competitive activities may also be organized.
4 November: Adopt Sustainable Food Systems
Awareness activities may focus on millets and ways to reduce food waste and promote composting of organic waste.
5 November: Say No to Single-use Plastics
Activities may include campaigns and drives for a plastic free campus, promoting the use of reusable bottles and bags, and storytelling for kids and staff on sustainable clothing choices and textiles.
November 6: Reduce e-waste
Day 6 will focus on the proper management of e-waste. Institutions may conduct collection drives in partnership with authorised recyclers, and raise awareness on the need to repair, reuse and dispose of electronic products responsibly. The plan includes involvement of LiFE pledges through the MyGov platform, Eco Club activities for Mission LiFE, Waste to Wonder installations.
November 7: Reduce Waste
The last day will focus on involving the community for the management of waste. Some suggested activities include cleanup drives by Anganwadi workers and children, as well as 30 minute community clean up walks along rivers, streams and other wetlands. Each institution may also organise Waste to Art displays.
UGC Directs Universities to Appoint Nodal Officers
As per the UGC circular, all higher education institutions must ensure participation from all departments and constituent units, and field units/centers. Suggested participation is also from students, teachers and staff, representatives of industry and civil society. Each institution must nominate a nodal officer to register and upload the activities on Meri LiFE portal of MoEFCC.
The commission has also suggested that the activities of the campaign be promoted through campus Hoardings, digital display boards, website and social media. The seven theme based Hoardings and one General campaign Hoarding shared by MoEFCC can also be placed at various locations on campus. Institutions have been suggested to use the hashtags #MissionLiFE, #Proplanetpeople and #BRICSforLiFE while promoting the activities on social media, and sharing community success stories, photographs and DIY sustainability solutions.
Meri LiFE Portal Report Submission Deadline: November 12
After completing the seven-day campaign, participating institutions are required to submit a short report. This report is to be submitted via the Meri LiFE portal and must capture the activities and practices undertaken during the campaign and any best practices adopted.
The deadline for submission is November 12, 2026. UGC has also informed institutions that MoEFCC will conduct daily online orientation from October 27 to November 7, 2026 from 11 AM to 1 PM and 3 PM to 5 PM via Webex. For clarifications, institutions may contact Dr. H. V. C. Chary Guntupalli, Scientist 'E', MoEFCC, at +91 9990517580 via WhatsApp or send an email to life-moefcc@gov.in.
UGC, through the BRICS Sustainable Lifestyle Week 2026, is calling upon universities and colleges to develop sustainable campuses and integrate sustainability as a shared campus responsibility. The program encourages academic communities to engage with practical activities related to energy, water and food and waste management and plastic use.
FAQs
Q1. When will BRICS Sustainable Lifestyle Week 2026 be celebrated in India?
BRICS Sustainable Lifestyle Week (BSLW) 2026 will be celebrated in India from November 1 to November 7, 2026, during India’s presidency of BRICS in 2026.
Q2. Which organization has issued guidelines for BRICS Sustainable Lifestyle Week 2026?
The University Grants Commission (UGC) issued a circular on October 30, 2026, to all higher educational institutions (HEIs) to plan and organize various activities, based on the themes prepared by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
Q3. What is the purpose of BRICS Sustainable Lifestyle Week 2026?
The main aim of the campaign is to develop awareness and bring about changes in behavior of citizens to adopt eco-friendly and sustainable lifestyles and behaviors and promote it in the society.
Q4. What are the 7 themes of BRICS Sustainable Lifestyle Week 2026?
The seven themes of BSLW 2026 are:
- Adopt Healthy Lifestyles (1st Nov)
- Save Energy (2nd Nov)
- Save Water (3rd Nov)
- Adopt Sustainable Food Systems (4th Nov)
- Say No to Single-use Plastic (5th Nov)
- Reduce E-waste (6th Nov)
- Reduce Waste (7th Nov)
Q5. What kinds of activities can colleges do during BRICS Sustainable Lifestyle Week 2026?
Colleges and universities can organize walkathons,cyclothons, yoga sessions, tree plantation drives, conservation of energy and water, campaigns on millets, plastic-free campuses, e-waste drive, community clean-up drives, etc.
Q6. Is celebration of BRICS Sustainable Lifestyle Week 2026 obligatory for colleges and universities?
The UGC circular requests all higher educational institutions to actively organise suitable activities aligned with the seven daily themes and encourage participation from students, faculty members, staff and other stakeholders.
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