Speaking Skills: Debate and Arguments
Instruction for Conducting The Debate
- Form two teams: One supports the topic (affirmative) and the other opposes (negative).
- Set time limits for opening statements, rebuttals, and conclusions (e.g., 3 minutes each).
- Introduce the topic clearly and allow each team to present their arguments.
- Ensure respect: No interruptions while others are speaking.
- Encourage rebuttals: Teams should respond to the opponent’s arguments.
- Judge based on clarity, logic, and evidence, not just personal opinions.
- Conclude the debate by summarizing key points from both sides.
1. Politics & Governance
- Is India ready for a Uniform Civil Code?
- Should voting be made mandatory in India?
- Is India moving towards becoming a global superpower?
- Should India adopt a presidential form of government instead of the parliamentary system?
- Are state governments doing enough to promote federalism in India?
2. Economy
- Is the “Make in India” initiative a success?
- Should India implement a Universal Basic Income (UBI)?
- Has India’s economic growth benefited the rural population?
- Is digital currency the future of India’s economy?
- Should there be more privatization of public sector enterprises in India?
3. Education
- Should the Indian education system focus more on skill-based learning than rote learning?
- Is online education an effective alternative to traditional schooling in India?
- Should coding be a compulsory subject in Indian schools?
- Are Indian students overburdened by academic pressure?
- Is NEP (National Education Policy) 2020 the right step towards educational reform?
4. Social Issues
- Has the Swachh Bharat Mission been effective in changing India’s sanitation practices?
- Should there be a reservation system based on economic status rather than caste?
- Is gender equality in India progressing fast enough?
- Has social media done more harm than good in Indian society?
- Should the legal age for marriage be increased to 21 for both men and women in India?
5. Environment & Sustainability
- Is India doing enough to combat climate change?
- Should India focus more on renewable energy than coal-based power?
- Should single-use plastic be completely banned across India?
- Is urbanization causing irreversible environmental damage in India?
- Can India achieve a balance between economic growth and environmental protection?
6. Science & Technology
- Is India ready for a transition to electric vehicles?
- Will Artificial Intelligence lead to more job losses than job creation in India?
- Should India invest more in space exploration rather than in social development?
- Is 5G rollout in India the key to technological revolution?
- Will India’s digital revolution help bridge the rural-urban divide?
7. Health & Welfare
- Has India successfully handled the COVID-19 pandemic?
- Should healthcare in India be made free for all citizens?
- Is mental health given enough importance in India’s healthcare system?
- Are India’s public healthcare systems equipped to handle future pandemics?
- Should India have stricter laws to regulate unhealthy foods and beverages?
8. Culture & Society
- Is Bollywood a true reflection of Indian culture?
- Has globalization eroded India’s traditional cultural values?
- Should India make stricter laws to prevent cultural appropriation?
- Is the representation of women in Indian media positive enough?
- Should regional languages be given more importance in India’s education system?
9. Sports
- Should cricket continue to receive more support than other sports in India?
- Is India investing enough in the development of Olympic sports?
- Should India introduce a mandatory sports period in all schools?
- Is commercialization of sports damaging the spirit of athletics in India?
- Can India become a global sports powerhouse by 2030?
10. Law & Justice
- Should the death penalty be abolished in India?
- Is India’s judicial system too slow to deliver timely justice?
- Should there be stricter punishments for cybercrimes in India?
- Is the Juvenile Justice Act too lenient in India?
- Are India’s defamation laws being misused to curb free speech?
Miscellaneous Topics
- Are Indian Students overburdened by Academic pressure?
- India should invest more in space exploration than in social development.
- Beti Padhao Beti Bachao is just a jumla (illusion not reality)
- Has Social Media done more harm than good in Indian society.
- Has India become stronger as a nation in 10 years? Reality or illusion?
- One nation and one election is a great move for India.
- Does Indian media play a crucial role in destroying communal harmony?
- Is bollywood a true reflection of Indian culture?
- Indian democratic agencies are becoming the puppets of ruling parties.
- AI is Eroding jobs or expanding the job opportunities.
- Can India become a Global sports powerhouse by 2030?
- Can Money buy real happiness?