THE  PODIUM

"In all debates, let truth be thy aim, not victory, or an unjust interest." – William Penn

EVENT DETAILS

·Date: 19th April 2026

·Time: 10 A.M.

·Venue: SG Hall, FIEM Campus

CRITERIA FOR PARTICIPATION

·Participants must register individually. Once the debate begins, participants can form teams of two based on their choice. Each team must have:

• One member speaking for the motion
• One member speaking against the motion

·To participate, individuals must provide a valid identity card from their respective institution (for students) or organization (for working professionals).

oFailure to provide an ID will result in disqualification.

·There is no age limit for participation—anyone interested in debating is welcome!

·Registration Fee: Rs. 50 per person.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

1.Language Usage:

oParticipants can speak in English, Bengali, or Hindi.

oHowever, mixing languages during the speech

(except for quotations) may lead to penalties.

2.Speaking Time Limit:

oIn the Preliminary Round, each speaker will get 3 minutes to present their argument.

• First 2 minutes: Main speech
• Last 1 minute: Conclusion

oIn the Final Round, speaking time will be announced later.

oA warning bell will ring after 2 minutes in prelims. Participants must wrap up within the next 1 minute. Exceeding the time limit will lead to repeated bells and point deductions.

3.Rebuttal Session (Q&A Round):

oAfter a speaker finishes their speech, a 1-minute rebuttal session will follow.

oWho can ask questions?

• Any participant (regardless of their stance)
• Audience members
• Even judges, if they find it necessary

oRules for rebuttal:

• Each opposing speaker gets one chance to question the speaker.
• The speaker gets one chance to answer back.
• No further arguments or interruptions will be entertained.

4.Code of Conduct:

oUse of non-parliamentary language (abusive, disrespectful, or offensive words) will not be tolerated.

oCarrying notes or papers to the podium is discouraged, though not strictly prohibited.

oNo books, props, or external materials can be used during rebuttals.

5.Respecting Sentiments:

oReligious, cultural, or community-sensitive topics

should be handled with care.

oAny speech that hurts religious or communal sentiments may lead to immediate disqualification as per the judgment of the event coordinators.

6.Single Participant Rule (Turncoat Format):

oIf a participant is unable to find a team member, they will still be allowed to compete.

oHowever, they will follow the Turncoat format, where they must:

• Speak FOR the motion in one round
• Speak AGAINST the motion in another round

oTo avoid confusion, event coordinators will ensure that Turncoat speakers do not deliver their opposing speeches sequentially.

EXPLANATIONS OF TERMS

What is Rebuttal?

A rebuttal is a structured response to counter or challenge an argument made by an opponent. It is the part of the debate where a speaker’s views are questioned, and they must defend their stance logically. A strong rebuttal can make or break a debate!

What is Turncoat?

A Turncoat format requires a speaker to argue both sides of the same motion. This means that a single participant must first support the motion and then argue against it. This is considered one of the toughest debating styles, as it requires quick thinking and a deep understanding of both perspectives.

CONTACT DETAILS (Event Coordinators 2026)

For any queries, feel free to reach out to:

• Shivangi Saha – +91 83350 74410
• Rajjyashree Raychaudhuri – +91 9831658714