ISDS selects the Indian National Debating Squad to train them to represent the country at multiple prestigious international debates.
About the Tournament
The Indian Schools Debating Society (ISDS) is set to select the Indian National Debating Squad for 2024-25 and aims to train students for prestigious international competitions like the World Schools Debating Championships (WSDC). The squad’s goal is to represent India globally and imbibe leadership and critical thinking skills among young debaters. Among the National Squad, the five students selected to represent India at the World Schools Debating Championships in 2025 will fly to Panama where the Championships will be held at a subsidised cost.
Competitions
- World Schools Debating Championships (WSDC): The premier global debate competition, with the 2025 edition hosted in Panama.
- International Competition for Young Debaters (ICYD): Aimed at under-15 debaters, alternating between the Cambridge and Oxford Unions in the UK.
- Regional Championships: Includes Asia World Schools Debating Championships, Doxbridge WSDC, and others.
Eligibility
- Students aged 12-18, studying in India, and in school during July-August 2025.
- 12th graders in 2024-25 are ineligible.
- Students can compete as an institutional school team, or as a cross team i.e. a team consisting of students from different schools
- All teams participating in the Junior Selection Championship should have at least one 8th Grader on the team (7th grader who wish to participate, can email ISDS)
- All teams participating in the Senior Selection Championship should have at least one 10th Grader on the team
- Unless the participating school is same-sex, a three member team should have at least one female member, and a four member team should have at least two.
- To be eligible as a top speaker, students are expected to speak in at least three of the total number of rounds.
- Since there is a cap on the number of teams who can register, initially only limited teams per school (1-2) will be accepted before opening further slots for the same school.
- Schools who do not meet the criteria will be disqualified regardless of their technical registration status.
Registration Process
- Regional Selection Rounds: Held in August-September 2024, these are online events in the WSDC format.
- Intermediate Selection Round: Selected students undergo further assessments in October-November 2024.
- National Selection Camp: Top students from Stage II are invited to Chennai in December for intensive training and final selections.
Types of Entry
- Team-based Applications: Preferred method, with regional rounds split into North, South, Central, East, and West zones.
- Individual Applications: Through partner competitions, though less favored by ISDS.
Important Dates
- North Zone Junior: August 31, 2024
- South Zone Junior: September 14, 2024
- Central Zone Junior: September 21, 2024
- East Zone Junior: September 21, 2024
- Senior Selection: September 28, 2024
Deadlines for each round are one week prior to the event date.
Format
- WSDC format
- No. of debates; 4 rounds – 2 prepared, 2 impromptu
- Junior Selection Championship will have all 5 minutes speeches
- Senior Selection Championship will have all 6 minutes speeches
- No reply speeches
Logistics
- Timings: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM IST
- Venue: On Zoom
- Speakers can only participate in the competition designated for their region unless the organisers allocate otherwise
- These tournaments have team caps of 50 to ensure we have capacity. Team slots will be given to teams on a first come first serve basis taking into consideration diversity
- Additional team slots will be given to the school based on spot availability and diversity considerations (e.g.: a second team consisting religious diversity on the team will be preferred over another school team sending a second team without this diversity)
Why Participate?
- Represent India internationally.
- Develop essential leadership and critical thinking skills.
- Receive top-notch training and feedback.
- Network with peers nationwide and globally.
- Opportunity to compete in Panama for the WSDC 2025.
How to Register?
Interested participants can register through this link.
Deadline
Deadlines for each round are one week prior to the event date.
Click here to view the official notification of the ISDS National Selection Tournaments 2024-25.
