Swadhin 2026: Conventional Debate Competition is organised by NEENV - The HRD Society, Hansraj College, University of Delhi, with the objective of fostering meaningful dialogue, critical thinking, and intellectual discourse among students through the art of debating. The competition follows the Conventional Debate format and invites students from colleges to engage in a spirited exchange of ideas on a contemporary issue of national and social relevance. Designed to encourage analytical thinking, persuasive communication, and respectful discussion, the competition provides participants with an opportunity to present well-reasoned arguments while responding effectively to opposing viewpoints. Each team will comprise two participants. The debate motion/topic will be announced one day prior to the competition, allowing teams adequate time to prepare their arguments and conduct research. Participants will be evaluated by an esteemed panel of judges on the basis of: Content and depth of arguments Logical reasoning and analytical ability Rebuttal and refutation skills Clarity of expression Team coordination Confidence and stage presence Adherence to the prescribed time limit The competition aims to promote informed discussions, broaden perspectives, and strengthen participants' public speaking and advocacy skills in a competitive yet respectful environment. Whether you are an experienced debater or someone eager to test your ability to think critically and communicate persuasively, Swadhin 2026 offers an excellent platform to showcase your potential, engage with talented students from diverse institutions, and compete for recognition in a prestigious inter-college debate competition.
Team Size: 2
Offline Venue: Hansraj College, University of Delhi
Maximum Entries: 30 Teams (First Come, First Served)
Conventional Debate Team Size: 2 members per team (one speaker For the Motion and one speaker Against the Motion)
Speaking Time: 3 minutes per speaker (2 minutes for the main speech followed by up to 1 minute for an interjection).
Language: The debate will be conducted in Hindi and English (Bilingual).
Interjections: Each speaker may use up to 1 minute of their allotted 3-minute speaking time for an interjection. The interjection must be relevant, respectful, and within the scope of the motion.
Judging: The decision of the judging panel will be final and binding.
Registration Process: Register your team through the Unstop registration portal. Pay the registration fee of ₹149 per team using the payment option provided during the registration process. Your registration will be considered complete only after successful payment. Once your registration and payment have been verified, you will receive a confirmation email from the HRD Cell, NEENV - Hansraj College on your registered email address. Only confirmed registrations will be eligible to participate in the competition.
Venue
Hansraj College, University of Delhi
North Delhi, India
Note: Participation is limited to the first 30 registered teams on a first-come, first-served basis. Teams are advised to retain their payment receipt or transaction ID until they receive the confirmation email. Please do not rely on the registration count displayed on the platform. Registrations will remain open until all 30 team slots are successfully confirmed . Once the maximum capacity of 30 confirmed registrations is reached, registrations will be closed automatically . Since seats are allotted on a First Come, First Served basis, participants are strongly advised to complete their registration as early as possible to secure their place.
Prizes & Recognition: a) Winner
Kind Other Details: Share from the Prize Pool Worth ₹15,000 in Kind + Trophy
Additional Perks: Certificate b) Runner- up
Kind Other Details: Share from the Prize Pool Worth ₹15,000 in Kind + Trophy
Certificate Participation Certificate: Every participant who successfully competes in the debate will receive a Certificate of Participation.