Distinctive Debate Clubs

We want to use debate to encourage the 200 million high school students in India to think critically, communicate effectively and lead with courage. This has been our guiding vision from the very first Team India we selected back in 2008, among a group of 25 students from one city. Today, we have reached tens of thousands of students across 20+ cities.

What is the Distinctive Debate Clubs initiative?

Just as Rome was not built in a day, it was also never built by one person. At the forefront of this vibrant debating ecosystem in India have been inspiring, student-run, school debate clubs who do the difficult and innovative work of bringing more students into our community. We want these student leaders and clubs to have the recognition they deserve, and the resources to spread their work.

The ‘Distinctive Debate Clubs’ initiatives will recognise Debate Clubs and their student representatives who are going above and beyond to take debating to peers in and beyond their schools.

What do grantees of this Distinction receive?

School debate clubs receive:

Up to Rs. 15,000/- disbursed to cover expenditures aimed at spreading debate among students, including costs incurred for organising or participating in debate competitions (subject to ISDS’s discretion)

Registration fee waiver for up to 6 students in 2025-26, redeemable for any ISDS hosted competitions or selections

3x free club-wide online workshops from ISDS trainers, tailored to the specific topic areas and requirements of each club

Access to 10 pre-recorded Knowledge Masterclasses

Guidance and problem solving support from the ISDS team for running the debate clubs

The student representative responsible for the club’s operations will be featured on an ISDS ‘Honour Roll’ as a recognition of their effort to build the debating ecosystem in India

Our Impact last year

We supported Emerald Heights in organising their inaugural debate competition, the Emerald Heights Parliamentary Debate 2024, by funding their invited adjudicator pool. The event saw participation from over 80. Additionally, we facilitated access to our National selections 2024 and competitions to the grantees by offering them free registration to encourage inclusivity and wider participation.

How can you (as a Club Head) or your school participate?

Let us know about the current work you and your school club undertake, your future plans, the type of support you are seeking, and the challenges you face by filling out the application form below by February 05th 2025.

Why should you participate?

Receive a prestigious commendation for your commitment to impact
Join a community of like-minded peers who uplift one another
Have the opportunity to bring more students into the debating fold and do more debating!

How will we select grantees?

We have a two-step process:

An eminent panel of debaters and professionals will screen and evaluate applications and shortlist the strongest based on scale and depth of impact, innovation, strength of future plans, financial needs, and growth given context and challenges.
The student representatives of shortlisted clubs will be invited to an interview, where their work and values will be further explored based on their application. Final decisions will be announced after this stage by February 22nd, 2025.

Our Screening Committee

TBA

Distinctive Debate Clubs