Debating Matters India is jointly organised by the British Council India and the Institute of Ideas. Now in its fifth year, the Regional Finals haven taken place in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.

India, with its strong tradition of debate and extensive schools debating scene, has been a wonderful country to introduce the Debating Matters ethos and approach to over the past five years. Vignesh Gundesha, DM India alumnus, says of the competition:

“The most important thing that sets Debating Matters apart is that it allows you to question ideas. Your prepared speeches make up a small fraction of the actual debates, after which you’re left to be grilled not only by the opposition but the judges and the audience. You’re asked to fend for your ideas, beliefs, statements, and the way you think and reason is challenged and questioned.”

The competition is supported by the Wellcome Trust. Find out more about the success of past years of the competition below and for full information about this year’s competition see the Debating Matters India micro site.

Congratulations to the champions of Debating Matters India Year 5: National Public School, Koramangala from Bangalore!

National Public School, Koramangala were crowned the champions of Debating Matters India Year 5 after a series of hard fought debates which took place at the British Council India Head Office in New Delhi from 17-19 January.

Top debates were had on everything from celebrity culture in politics to clinical trials, genetic screening and disability, and the importance of learning English. The final debate saw a showdown between NPS Koramangala, from Bangalore, and Paljor Namgyal Girls School, from Sikkim, over the debate motion: “Curbs on free speech are justified in the interests of social harmony”. Though close, NPS Koramangala argued an articulate and sophisticated case for the centrality of free speech to democracy and its being necessary to challenge the ideas of others, to win the debate on the against side of the motion.

Read the full story of this years DM India National Final!

DM India National Final, Delhi 2012

2009/10 DM India National Final video

2008/09 DM India National Final video

FURTHER HELP

Visit the British Council’s Debating Matters India competition website. If you’d like to see Debating Matters expand to more countries please contact the competition’s director, Tony Gilland.