Top 80 Group Discussion (GD) Topics 2024: Check Current & Latest GD Topics for MBA

Top 80 Group Discussion (GD) Topics 2024: Check Current & Latest GD Topics for MBA

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Vipra Shrivastava
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Updated on Nov 21, 2024 14:34 IST

GD/PI forms an important part of MBA admission in India. Aspirants must know that as much as it is important to score well in the entrance exam, it is important to perform well in the GD/PI round as well. If you are preparing for MBA GD/PI? Get more than 80 latest and trending Group Discussion (GD) topics WAT-GD-PI rounds of IIMs and top MBA colleges in India. 

MBA GD topics and PI tips

Group Discussion or GD is one of the main rounds of MBA admission process in India. Performance in the GD round can make or mar your chances of getting selected in the B-school of your choice. Why? Because, a group discussion is a proven technique to judge the suitability of an individual for leadership role which is essential for a career in business management. GDs assess the candidate's knowledge, point of view, leadership skills, communication skills and behaviour in a group - traits that are necessary to be a good manager. Top MBA colleges in India lay a lot of emphasis on GD for the selection of candidates who have the potential and temperament to be good business leaders. 

MBA admission season has kicked in with announcement of CAT, XAT, SNAP, NMAT exam dates. The GD-WAT round at most of the top colleges will be conducted between Feb to April 2025. So, along with the preparation of MBA entrance exams start working on WAT-GD/PI rounds. Improve your general awareness and practice essay writing. You also need to practice public speaking and extempore to be able to lead the GD. Read this article for comprehensive preparation of MBA GD-PI round. Also get current group discussion topics for interview round of various B-schools.

Q:   How is the post-MBA life for MBA graduates from top MBA institutions like FMS, XLRI, MDI, IIM Mumbai, SP Jain, and JBIMS?

A:

The rewards of life post-MBA can be substantial for graduates from renowned institutions such as FMS, XLRI, MDI, IIM Mumbai, SP Jain, and JBIMS. With their impressive qualifications, graduates from these top-notch B-schools are highly coveted by prestigious companies in diverse industries and can expect lucrative job offers from some of the leading recruiters in the market. Compared to the past, the job prospects for business school alumni are much more promising, with MBA degree holders having ample opportunities to explore various career paths. Based on their strengths and interests, MBA graduates can find themselves working in strategy, product management, business development, finance, operations, or human resources, among other fields.

Q:   Is MDI Gurgaon good for MBA?

A:

Yes, MDI Gurgaon is good for pursuing PGDM courses. It has been ranked #11 under the “Management” category by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2024 rankings. It also provides placement support to the candidates. Many industry giants participate in its placement drive. Some of the companies that participate in the campus placements are Adidas, Godrej, Pidilite, Amazon, American Express, EY and Deloitte. The highest and average package offered in the 2024 placements stood at INR 63.3 LPA and INR 25.5 LPA, respectively.

Q:   Why choose IIM Bangalore executive MBA course?

A:

With an average package of INR 33.07 LPA and an NIRF ranking of 2 for its Management courses, E-MBA from IIMs is considered one of the best choices for working professionals who want to improve their knowledge and education level by pursuing a Management degree. Additionally, IIM Bangalore has seen an improving trend in the average package over the years. In 2022, the average package stood at INR 30.09 LPA and INR 26.08 LPA in 2021. 

Also Read: Top PGDM Colleges in India: NIRF Ranks, Placements, Fees

What is a Group Discussion or GD for MBA?

A GD for MBA admission is usually of 20-25 minutes wherein a topic is given to a group of students to discuss. Students are given about five minutes to prepare trending GD topics before the discussion is started. During the discussion, panelists observe speakers for spoken English, confidence, clarity of thoughts, ability to present an argument convincingly and leadership quality as these qualities are necessary for an individual to succeed as a business manager or an administrator.

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The Group Discussion and Written Ability Test rounds of top B-Schools typically begin in February and go on till August. MBA aspirants must start preparing current and trending GD topics for MBA interview soon after they have appeared for the entrance exams. The GD/WAT/PIs at top B-Schools are tough to crack and require public speaking skill so get on to the preparation for public speaking as early as you decide to pursue MBA. Read detailed analysis of most trending GD topics for business, politics and current affairs for MBA admission 2024.

Q:   Is Executive MBA from IIM Calcutta worth it?

A:

IIM Kolkata is one of the top five Management institutes in the country as per NIRF 2023 rankings. It has been placed at fourth spot. The institute provide placements support to Executive MBA course candidates. Many top recruiters from different sectors such as Information Technology, Manufacturing, Telecom, Banking, participate in its placement drive. As per past years’ records, some of the top recruiters that made offers during IIM Calcutta Executive MBA placements were EY GDS, Infosys, HSBC, Accenture, and BCG. Read more about the course here.

Which Skills are Judged in a GD?

Group discussion technique is a very effective way to judge an MBA aspirant’s ability to work in a group. Given below is the list of qualities judged during the MBA Group Discussion:

• How good is your communication skill

• How confident you are in interacting with the other group members

• How open-minded you are in acknowledging diverse points of views

• How flexible or rigid you are in having an opinionated discussion

• Your leadership skills

• Your analytical abilities

• Problem-solving skills and critical thinking

• Time management skills

• Your ability to make an objective decision

• Social behaviour and common courtesy

Check CAT Cut offs and predict calls from IIMs and other Top MBA Colleges, whether your CAT score is 70 percentile, 80 percentile or 90 percentile. Check Fees, Placement Reviews, Admission, Shortlist Criteria and eligibility of all MBA Colleges by clicking the link below:

Predict IIM & Non IIM Calls

Types of Group Discussion (GD) Topics for MBA Admission

Group Discussion (GD) is one of the most important selection parameters for admission to top B-schools in India. After the announcement of results for MBA entrance exams, qualified candidates have to clear the GD and/or Written Ability Test (WAT) rounds conducted by management Institutes. Candidates can expect the following types of Group Discussion (GD) Topics for MBA admissions.

  1. Current Affairs GD Topics
  2. Abstract Topics for GD
  3. Business & Economy Topics
  4. GD Topics of Social Issues
  5. Social Media GD topics
  6. Latest GD topics

Group Discussion (GD) Topics for MBA Admission 2024-2025

Here are some of the commonly asked GD topics for MBA admission. We have segregated the group discussion topics for interview topic-wise. Also know how to prepare your argument on these recent GD topics.

Current Affairs Topics for GD Preparation

In most of the MBA Group Discussions, topics are given from Current Affairs, as that is a good test of candidate's awareness related to social and economic surroundings which may influence their decision making. Given below are some of the most popular current group discussion topics for MBA admission. 

Group Discussion (GD) Topics on Current Affairs

2024 Union Budget: Increase in Income Tax Slabs- Good or Bad for Middle Class?

US Elections - Attack on Trump; Biden Opting Out- What is the political future?

Electoral Bonds: Fair or Unfair

18th Lok Sabha Elections

Quick Commerce:A step towards progress or a wasteful luxury?

Funding Democracy: Are Electoral bonds boon or a bane

PM Internship Scheme: How effective will it be in addressing unemployability?

Iran-Israel Conflict: Impact on the Middle East and other countries

Global Innovation Index 2024: India Jumps to 39th Rank

India a 5 trillion economy by 2024? It it too ambitious?

Innovation vs Invention: What does the world need?

EVs and future

US meddling in other countries' politics is dangerous for the world

Unrest in neighbours Pakistan and Bangladesh: Potential threat to India

GST rate increase in 2024

India's emergence as the global semiconducter powerhouse

India's performance in Paris Olympics 2024

India's performance in Paralympics 2024

Athletics regaining popularity and support in India

Inclusion of women soldiers in combat troops

Job Reservation in Private Sector

Corruption in bureaucracy slows down country's growth

Downfall of some of the top startups- lessons to learn

Regulation on digital and social media to check fake news dissemination

Government regulation of OTT Platforms

US Passes Bill to Ban TikTok

Uniform Code of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP)

India World’s Largest Arms Importer: SIPRI Report

Emergence of India as an economic power

3 New Criminal Laws introduced in India - Implications of these Laws

India should be made permanent member in UN

Over dependence on AI

Dangers of bio-warfare

Gun culture in USA

India's successful landing on Moon

ISRO launches Adtiya-L1, India's first solar mission

Inclusion of African Union in G20

ChatGPT: Dangers of plagiarism 

One Nation One Election

India Overtakes China in Population. Future Ramifications

Caste-based census

Should BCCI invest more on Women's cricket

CHAT GPT- Pros and Cons

Vande Bharat Express

Indian Unicorns

Agnipath Scheme

Moonlighting: Ethical or Unethical

5G Telecom Services in India

BHIM: Making India Cashless

Reducing Carbon Emission and Role of Developing Countries 

COVID-19 Nasal Vaccine

Tech Layoffs

Women's Reservation Bill passed by Parliament

European Union's role in Ukraine-Russia conflict

India as the G20 host

Taliban Rule and Women's Education in Afghanistan

Twitter and Free Speech

Social Media's Role in Politics and Regime Change

Metaverse and Future

Population Control Bill

Uniform Civil Code

Tata taking over Air India

Ukraine-Russia Conflict

US Inflation

Inflation Heat in Europe

Cryptocurrency

Ayodhya and Religious Tourism

India's Performance in Olympics 2024

Repealing of Farm Bills

Farmers' Protest and MSP

Indo-Russia Relations

Taliban Takeover of Afghanistan

Will AI replace or assist humans

Is Climate Change a Hoax

Online Education is here to stay

Is gender equality desirable or a burden

Bio-war and bio-weapons new means of world supremacy

World post COVID-19

Indian vaccines vs foreign vaccines

Jal Jeevan Mission

Coronavirus: Impact on Global Economy

Importance of Statue of Unity

COVID 19: Importance on spending on Public Health

COVID 19: Has it pushed the world 10 years back?

Is social distancing the new world order?

Online education, work from home: Have we arrived in virtual world

Nationwide lockdown to flatten the COVID 19 curve: Dent on Economy

Coronavirus and lockdown exposed social inequality in modern India

Citizenship Amendment Act - What and Why

How will Abrogation of Article 370 improve situation in Kashmir

Should there be a limit to Media Freedom?

Why Individual Data Privacy is important?

Will companies benefit from the Companies Amendment Bill?

Discounts on E-commerce website are harmful in the end

Is India ready for electric vehicles?

Will De-Nuclearisation Instill World Peace?

Will fake news kill Social Fiber of India if unchecked?

Can India afford spending a fortune on projects like Mission to MARS?

Is it still too early for India to have bullet trains?

Making Aadhaar mandatory is not a good idea- for or against

Implication of State Assembly elections at the national level?

Is banning of Pakistani artists from India justified?

Modicare: Will it be an affordable healthcare project?

Implications of CAA-NCR

Doklam Standoff Farm Bill Amendment -The new agricultural bill
Atmanirbhar Bharat: Call for self reliance NEP: The new education policy
Free Speech an excuse to polarise Chadrayaan-2 mission

Abstract Topics for GD Preparation

A group discussion on abstract topic is not so common however a lot of top B-schools choose these topics judge a candidate's ability to think beyond the obvious. These are the topics which cannot be argued upon facts. They often reflect an individual's personality and mindset. Given below are some of the most oft-discussed abstract topics of GD rounds of MBA admission. 

Group Discussion (GD) on Abstract Topics

Hard Work Vs Smart Work

How important is it to be patient in Business and Management?

Work-Life Balance is a Myth

Building strategies Vs Execution

Self Motivation

First impression is the last impression

Change is the only constant

Leader Vs Follower

Friends, Enemy or Frenemies?

Innovation Vs Invention

Ethics or Profit?

Freedom: A Myth?

Thoughts on Me Too Campaign

Do we need more entrepreneurs than managers?

Can failures teach you important lessons in life?

Women are better multi-taskers- agree or disagree?

Business & Economy Topics for GD Preparation

GD topics from Business and Economy are often reported from top tier B-schools as knowledge of the domain you are entering is gives the colleges confidence of the candidate's real interest and aptitude. Given below are some of the most popular and recent GD topics from Business and Economy for MBA admission. 

Group Discussion (GD) Topics on Business & Economy

Will reduced Goods & Services Tax (GST) help the Indian economy in growing faster?

How is the falling rupee impacting the Indian economy?

How capable in India of leading Solar Energy, Wind Energy revolution?

Cashless Economy – Is India ready for it?

Is MBA necessary to be Successful in Business?

Should the Indian economy be privatized?

Can India become largest GDP contributor by 2028

Blockchain Technology – Pros & Cons

Views on Bitcoin/CryptoCurrency

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in retail sector good for India- agree or disagree?

Ways in which Technology is impacting the Banking sector

Agriculture Vs Manufacturing Industry in India

How can we control banking frauds to reduce NPAs?

Minimum Support Price: Is it a Political gimmick?

Is Globalization an Opportunity or a Threat?

How will the deal between Walmart and Flipkart impact the Indian Economy?

Will India be able to double Farmers’ Income in the next 5 years?

Is ‘Startup India’ Boosting Entrepreneurship

India V/s China: Will India remain way behind China?

How beneficial is the merger of Public Sector Banks?

Make in India campaign

High Deficit Financing V/s high interest rates: Can both go together?

Will RERA restore the trust of homebuyers?

Should Business Lobbying be made legal in India?

Demonetization: Discuss its Success & failures

Views on YONO

Is Corruption in Economy the root cause for Indian Economic slowdown?

Views on Merging the General & Railway Budget

Statue of Unity - Symbol of Pride or Wastage of Public Money?

Will Automation and Artificial Intelligence reduce or increase Jobs?
Surcharge on Income Tax (IT) for the Super-Rich All You Need to Know about Right to Information

Latest GD Topics on Social Issues

Our social life hugely impacts business & economy and vice versa. Social issues and their solutions are also an indicator of the society and country's progress. It is important for a future manager to have the right knowledge and right opinion on social issues. Given below are some of the popular GD topics on social issues for MBA admission. 

Group Discussion (GD) Topics on Social Issues

Capital punishment for heinous crimes 

Rehabilitation of criminals

Gender inclusivity

Reservation is a step towards social upliftment

Social equality and wealth redistribution

Should army training be made mandatory for all citizens?

Success of Swachh Bharat Mission

Smart City Project – How useful will they be?

Social Media: A boon or a bane for the society?

Is Net Neutrality essential to make India Digital?

Will Beti Bachao Beti Padhao abolish the orthodox mindset?

Crime against women - Who bears the responsibility?

Views on Retirement Homes    

Views on Climate Change Summit

Does Browsing at Workplace affect productivity?

Should national anthem be played in cinema halls?

Rural vs Urban India

Environment and us

India needs a uniform civil code- For or against?

Give views on the present system of education in our country

Download List of Top MBA Colleges

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Latest GD Topics for MBA

Here are some latest GD topics with answers to help you prepare for the MBA selection process round.

Wealth Redistribution

There is a lot of buzz around the proposition of wealth redistribution. But does offer a solution to bridge the gap between rich and poor. Proposed by the Opposition party of India, wealth redistribution can be a mechanism of social equality and at the same time of social unrest.

The Constitution of India, guarantees to its citizen property as a fundamental right under Article 19(1)(f). Under Article 31 it said that the state shall pay compensation in case of acquisition of private property. And the government did use this provision at the time of independence. For reforms and infrastructural development, it had to acquire land belonging to citizens, for which they were appropriately compensated.

But does the State have the right to take away property or wealth of Citizen A to give it to Citizen B? Or should Citizen A be taxed more than Citizen B, merely because he owns more property, for the sake of parity? This is an extremely controversial and unfair step. More than anything this can lead to property/wealth owners feel as if being punished for having more resources than others. The under privileged may find this as an attractive proposition but will it last? There are many instances of citizens not being able to utilize resources gifted as much as opportunities/skills imparted. Wealth redistribution is a contentious topic and requires deep understanding of consequences. There have been a lot of political debates on the same as well. The Supreme Court has also constituted a nine-judge Bench to interpret the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) with respect to ownership and control of material resources.

The question to ask is – is this the only way of achieving social parity in a developing country like ours?

Overdependence on AI

AI or Artificial Intelligence as a concept is a marvel of Science. It has revolutionized engineering and daily life. Even the Nobel Prize for Physics 2024 has been awarded to Geoffery Hinton and John Hopfield for using "tools from physics to develop methods that are the foundation of today's powerful machine learning".

But it is really required in every walk of life. The AI is slowly and steadily grabbing more than required space in our lives. No doubt that AI and Machine Learning has led to some amazing inventions that has made our lives easier. It has helped us make better decisions, gather more knowledge and learn better.

However, over dependence on AI can lead to dangerous consequences. It can cloud your judgement, influence their way of thinking and give you a sense of power, that is far more dangerous than anything. It will also kill social interaction. Empathy, ethics and other emotions necessary to a human will wean away. Furthermore, inability to stay on course with the rapidly changing technology will add to anxiety and frustration leading to mental disorders.

Thus it is widely believed, “too much of anything is dangerous.“ Depend on machine but not over depend.

Is India Capable of Hosting the Olympics 

  • As India consistently progressing in the field of technology and infrastructure, she is quite capable of hosting a mamoth event like Olympics. The success of G20 summit hosted in 2023 is an example of that. 
  • India is fairly equipped in conducting a world class event now as it has made long strides in infrastructure, transport, technology and hospitality sector in the recent years. 
  • The challenge however will be to provide sports infrastructure to participants from 206 countries. The number of spectators who will visit the country for the games can be expected to be in millions. 

Chandrayaan 3: India’s Successful Landing on Moon

  • On August 23, 2023, India created history by reaching the South Pole of the Moon and making successful landing on its surface.
  • This ISRO mission has put India is a very strong position globally as no country has managed successful landing on the South Pole of the Moon, a location where there are evidences of high concentration of water.
  • Following the unsuccessful landing of Chandrayaan 2, in 2019, ISRO started working on lunar mission which was conceptualized and executed a mission in which there was no room for failure.
  • The journey of Chandrayaan 3 started on July 14, 2023 from Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota.
  • After a 40-day journey, India witnessed, Propulsion module (PM), carrying Lander module (LM) named Vikram and a Rover, named Pragyaan making a soft lunar landing at 6.04 PM IST on August 23, 2023.
  • Vikram's successful landing put India in the super-power club of the US, Russia and China who have reached the moon’s surface so far. However, only India has managed soft landing at the South Pole of the Moon.
  • Days before, Vikram’s soft landing, Russia's Luna-25 spacecraft crashed on the Moon.
  • The point where Vikram landed has been named Shiv Shakti point.

Aditya-L1: India’s First Solar Mission

  • India Space Research Organisation (ISRO) followed up with the success of Chandrayaan 3 mission with the successful launch of Aditya-L1, nation’s first solar mission.
  • Aditya-L1, a satellite dedicated to study the Sun, was launched on September 2, 2023 at 11:50 IST.
  • Aditya-L1 is India’s first space based observatory to study the Sun. It is a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C57) launched Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) located in Sriharikota.
  • Aditya- L1 has7 distinct payloads developed indigenously. 5 of the payloads are developed by ISRO and 2 are developed by Indian academic institutes in collaboration with ISRO.
  • The Advisory Committee for Space Sciences (ADCOS) conceptualized the solar mission in January 2008. Aditya L1 was initially planned as a 400 kg (880 lb) satellite in a Low Earth Orbit (800 Km) with a coronagraph to study the solar corona.
  • In 2026-2017, an experimental budget of INR 3 crore was allocated by the Indian government for it. ISRO started to work on the solar mission from December 2019 and the final budget stood at INR 400 crore.

Non Fungible Token or NFT

These days Non-Fungible Token or NFT is a popular topic of discussion among youngsters. But what is NFT? NFT or Non-Fungible Token are a data or a unique item stored on a blockchain. For example, digital art-work can be stored as NFT by the creator and sell it online. People can buy the art-work by using crypto currency. Selling an art-work digitally will ensure that the ownership of the item is transferred to the buyer. They can sell the item again at a higher price but the ownership will shift to the new buyer.

For example, the first tweet by former CEO of Twitter Jack Dorsey was sold for USD 2.9 million. Similarly, a Nyan cat gif was sold as NFT for USD 58000 in February 2021.

When one decides to invest in NFTs, they must be aware of the pros and cons.  

Pros

  • Art creators can earn a lot of money by selling their work digitally
  • Transformation of the art work in digital mode can make it available to a larger audience
  • NFTs can be used to storing valuable data

Cons

  • The NFT sector is currently unregulated
  • NFTs can be bought only by cryptocurrency – Ethreum
  • Copies of digital artwork sold as NFT are available online and exposed to everybody
  • Whenever NFT is bought or sold, it consumes a lot of energy. This is not good for the future as the world is already facing many threats due to climate change
  • In the greed of making lots of money, many people are mindlessly investing in NFTs
  • There are possibilities of fraud

Social Media - Curse or Boon

 Points for the GD topic:

  • Social media helps in expanding knowledge to a wider audience in a cost-effective manner via posts or videos.
  • It is easily available to everyone and provides an option to voice opinions freely.
  • Many people are also contributing to the society by using social media for good cause by using hashtags or YouTube videos to either highlight a social issue or help a victim. The recent role of social media in the Arab Spring is one such example.

Points Against the GD topic:

  • Social media encourages violent behavior by easily spreading fake news that might hurt social sentiments or people of some repute.
  • Social media is misused by many people to harass others. It also promotes cyberbullying that promotes violent human behavior.

Industrial Revolution 4.0 - Pros & Cons

 Points for the GD topic:

  • It is a collaborative era of Cyber-Physical Systems that has the potential to bring a massive improvement in the way we live.
  • It can bring advantages like building sustainable economies and transparency in governance.
  • It will bring huge digital transformation.
  • It can be utilized to provide low-cost healthcare facilities and bring improvement in other sectors as well.

Points Against the GD topic:

  • It might not be helpful for those who are not digital literates.
  • Adopting to Industry 4.0 can increase cybersecurity issues.

Note: Such topics help a hiring manager to judge a candidate’s ability to understand a problem and offer a solution to it. Your analytical and decision making skills are highlighted here.

Preparing your points for these trending group discussion topics in advance can make you feel confident during the discussion. Also, don’t forget to follow the group discussion rules. Here are some useful GD tips for you.

Group Discussion Topics of IIMs and Non-IIMs (Current Affairs)

Since there is no definite set of topics that can be asked in the GD round, therefore, MBA aspirants are advised to keep an eye on the latest happenings and prepare accordingly. Given below are some of the GD topics for MBA asked in IIMs and non-IIMs.

MBA GD Topic Area B-schools
Due to COVID-19, education industry has seen many new startups. Discuss how this the affected everyone in positive or negative way? Social/Economic IIM Bangalore
 Only 1% of India’s population pays income tax. As the tax base hasn’t grown over the year, should the government look to other sources of income? If yes, where? Economic IIM Bangalore
Can Government schools be developed so that they can give quality education or such a case is not possible at all. Education IIM Bangalore

An IITian working at Google has come up with an idea to make schooling online

Education IIM Ahmedabad
Is introducing bullet trains in India a good idea Business IIM Calcutta
Caste-based reservations are impediments on building a caste-less society’. Social Issue IIM Kozhikode
Encounter of Hyderabad rapists justified or not Social Issue IIM Ahmedabad
An IITian working at Google has come up with an idea to make schooling online Education IIM Ahmedabad
Is introducing bullet trains in India a good idea Business & Economy  IIM Calcutta
Caste-based reservations are impediments on building a caste-less society Social Issue IIM Kozhikode
Ban of additional homework given to students from school to be done at home Education IIM Ahmedabad
Poverty in India: Facts, Causes, Effects, Solution Business & Economy  IIMs
Indian Economy in 2018-19: Performance & Policies of Modi Regime Business & Economy  IIMs
Agriculture Role in India and Subsidies: Problems & Challenges Business & Economy  IIMs
Women Empowerment & Gender Justice: Addressing the Equality Challenges Social Issue IIMs
End of Globalization/ De-Globalization/ Nationalization Business & Economy  IIM Bangalore, MDI Gurgaon, IIM Lucknow
Climate Change/Pollution Social Issue IIM Bangalore, IIM Trichy, TISS Mumbai
Retirement Homes: Do advantages of living in them outweigh the disadvantages? Social Issue TAPMI, IIM Indore
Social Media: Impact on human behavior and society Social Issue IIM Ranchi, IIM Ahmedabad
Impact of technology on Jobs Current Affairs MDI Gurgaon, CAP process for New IIMs
Me Too campaign Current Affairs IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Calcutta,
Crypto Currency/ Bitcoin Current Affairs IMI Delhi
Banking Scams Current Affairs MDI Gurgaon
Mars Mission for India Justified? Current Affairs MDI Gurgaon
Shortage of Open Spaces and Playgrounds Lead to Negative Tendencies in Children Social Issue IIM Ahmedabad
Knowledge is the biggest asset you can accumulate Abstract Topic IIM Lucknow
Is India Ready for a cashless Economy? Business & Economy IIFT
Traveling: Helps in Generating Ideas and Experiential Learning Social Issue CAP process for New IIMs
Zero Abstract Topic XLRI
Death Penalties for Perpetrators of Crime Against Women. Is it Justified? Social Issue IIM Indore

Also Read:

Dos of Participating in a GD Round

• Think before you speak

• Pick up clues from the discussion and intelligently add points that come to your mind with regards to the topic, in case you don’t know much about the topic.

• Back up your points with facts and figures if needed

• Be gentle and sure in your presentation of views

• Speak to-the-point and make sure that you do not repeat the points

• Be calm and composed while speaking

• Listening to others is also an important aspect of participation in the group discussion, so listen to others

• Have a respectful attitude towards the viewpoints of others

• Your body language should convey your ease of behaviour

• Sometimes the discussion may take a hostile turn. In such a case it is a good idea to intervene to make the situation relaxed. This act of yours will show your leadership and problem-solving skills.

Don’ts of Participating in a GD Round

• Do not initiate the discussion if you do not know the topic well

• Do not go overboard in exhibiting your knowledge even if you know the topic well

• Do not interrupt other members when they are speaking

• Do not change your opinion about the topic just because most of the other participants are having an opinion different from yours

• Do not feel unconfident if a speaker prior to you has presented the points more effectively than you

• Do not ask irrelevant questions

• Do not let your personal biases about the topic enter the discussion

Also Read:

GD/PI Experience Shared by IIM Students 

Read GD/PI experience of students who converted IIM interview calls, pursuing MBA or have passed out from various IIMs.

Student Name

IIM

GD-Interview

Harshil Satasiya

IIM Ahmedabad

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Nishanth Pandey

IIM Lucknow

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Shreshth Khare

IIM Bangalore

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Satya Gopal

IIM Kozhikode 

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Akansha Ghosh

IIM Ahmedabad

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Akash Mohapatra

IIM Ahmedabad

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Mayank

IIM Bangalore

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Abhinav Paigwar

IIM Ahmedabad

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Rupesh Gupta

IIM Ahmedabad

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Sai Prabhu

IIM Bangalore

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Somansh Chordia

IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Calcutta

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Kislay Jha

IIM Ahmedabad

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Ahsaas Sharma

IIM Ahmedabad

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Devesh Bansal

IIM Kozhikode

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Isha Nisar

IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Bangalore

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Akshay Mehendiratta

IIM Ahmedabad

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Anchal Taatya

IIM Ahmedabad

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Ananya Mishra

IIM Ahmedabad

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Pratham Mani

IIM Ahmedabad

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Omkar Mukherjee

IIM Calcutta

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Vaibhav Jatin Shah

IIM Shillong

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Parth Agarwal

IIM Kozhikode

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Anshul Aggarwal

IIM Kozhikode

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Ankur Parmar

IIM Kozhikode

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Priyanjit Biswas

IIM Ahmedabad

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IIM Bangalore

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IIM Bangalore

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Pratham Mani

IIM Calcutta

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IIM Ahmedabad

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IIM Ahmedabad

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IIM Indore

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IIM Ahmedabad

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IIM Bangalore

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IIM Bangalore

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IIM Lucknow

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Shubham Varshney

IIM Ahmedabad

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IIM Calcutta

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FAQs on GD-PI-WAT Round of MBA Colleges

Q: How shall I prepare for a GD round for MBA admission?

A: Since GD or Group Discussion is all about speaking amid a group of competent candidates, the preparation for GD has to be in two-ways. Firstly, the preparation should focus on gaining the subject knowledge or gathering information regarding the relevant topics. The second aspect is practicing. The MBA aspirants who would be appearing for GD rounds should practice in mock GD sessions to improve the technical aspects such as ensuring a smooth entry, making the points short yet informative and to the point, adding value to the ongoing discussion, etc. For the first part, regular reading of newspapers and magazines would help in knowing the latest GD topics. Maintaining a timeline of recent events and their development is also a good idea. For the second part, making a group with fellow MBA aspirants and participating in mock GD rounds through video conferencing can be effective.

Q: What type of GD topics can I expect in B-schools?

A: GD topics are generally around the current events across the country or world. Sometimes, the GD topics can be either direct or abstract. Candidates have to relate the abstract topics according to a recent event of relevance and revolve the discussion around it. It is very much necessary for candidates to be aware of the current and trending GD topics for preparation of this round.

Q: From which subject or area can I expect the group discussion topics for interview for MBA admission?

A: There is no limited list of subjects or areas of group discussion topics for interview. It can range from a plethora of subjects such as Economics, Business, Social Issues, Art, Literature, Entertainment, Science, to name a few. For the Group Discussions for MBA admissions, the topics may be focused on Indian and International Business, Economics, Politics, etc. However, aspirants should not limit their GD preparation to few specific topics but must broaden their horizons to ensure that they are ready to speak on any topic.

Q: What if I get an abstract GD topic during the session?

A: Abstract GD topics may seem difficult in the beginning, but with little focus, it can be linked to a topic, which s/he is well prepared with. The advantage of abstract topics is that it can be interpreted in various ways and the GD can be taken forward accordingly.

Q: What if I am unaware of the theme of the GD topic?

A: In case the candidates do not have much knowledge about the given GD topic, it is best to listen to the points made by other participants. With this, they will get an idea about the topic or chalk out some points to deliver in their round.

Q: Is it necessary to take coaching for GD preparation?

A: While it is not mandatory to take coaching for GD, but if a candidate feels necessary, then s/he can opt for coaching to improve their GK and current affairs, public speaking skills, GD etiquettes, participation in mock GD, performance reviews, etc. However, if a candidate is confident regarding the preparation as well as the participation techniques, then coaching may not be necessary.

Q: What are the best resources for GD topics and preparation?

A: The best and most common study materials for GD topics are the newspapers and magazines of current affairs such as Outlook, Frontline, etc. There are also a number of GD preparation material available online or on social media platforms. It is best to gather in-depth information about an event by maintaining a journal and chronicling the details. This would help them in presenting relevant and analytical points during the GD.

Q: Is it necessary that the GD topic will be from current affairs only?

A: No, it is not necessary that the topics would be related to current affairs. The topic may be a generic or abstract. It is up to the candidates how they want to carry on the discussion and link it to some areas, which are pertinent in today’s times. For example, if the topic is related to the caste system in India, rather than discussing the historical aspect, the candidates may discuss the latest reforms and policies.

Q: Will I get an advantage if I open the discussion in the group discussion?

A: The participant who makes the opening statement in the GD always has some advantage. Firstly, s/he is noted by the panelists for commencing the discussion. Secondly, s/he can prepare the broad layout or direct the discussion into his/her areas of forte. Having said that, being the first one to speak in the GD is not enough unless there are multiple participation and value addition done during the GD.

Q: How can I leave an impact on my GD performance?

A: There are multiple ways in which a participant can create an impact on the GD. The first and foremost way is by starting the GD and making the opening statement. Next is by making regular comebacks with valid points. It would be best if the participants can present facts and figures, examples and anecdotes while speaking during the GD. Also, if s/he can manage a GD which is turning into a cacophony or diverting from the main point, then also his/her performance is duly noted by the panelists.

Q: Is it necessary to present an opinion during the GD?

A: Candidates may present their opinions on the topic during the GD, but they must back their opinion with logic and facts. Having an opinion gives the candidates’ perception and thought process to the panelists, while at the same time, a strong opinion or bias should be avoided.
About the Author
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Vipra Shrivastava
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Vipra is a massive Breaking Bad fan. When not watching crime drama series, she spends time in updating the list of places she wants to visit and people she wants to meet, but she is happiest in the company of dogs. ... Read Full Bio

Comments

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Rahul Sigh

4 years ago

Good guidance... Liked this article...

Reply to Rahul Sigh