About the Organiser
The Department of Laws, Panjab University, was originally established at Lahore in 1889 and was re-established at the University Campus in Chandigarh in 1959. Its alumni include Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, Union Cabinet Ministers, State Chief Ministers, Ambassadors, Senior Bureaucrats and other legal luminaries.
The Prof. (Dr.) Anil Kumar Thakur Debating Society was founded in 2022 in memory of Prof. (Dr.) Anil Kumar Thakur (1976–2021), an academician of Constitutional law. The Society promotes interdisciplinary research, competitive debating and public speaking among students.
About the Competition
The Department of Laws, Panjab University, is organising the 5th Prof. (Dr.) Anil Kumar Thakur Memorial National Debate Competition in memory of Prof. (Dr.) Anil Kumar Thakur.
Theme and Motion
The theme for the competition is “Special Intensive Revision: Should It Be Done or Not?” The debate will examine the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, including its implications for voter-list accuracy and electoral participation.
In favour: Special Intensive Revision Should Be Done.
In opposition: Special Intensive Revision Should Not Be Done.
The motion relates to the Election Commission of India’s process of revising electoral rolls under Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. Participants may address issues including door-to-door verification, removal of deceased or duplicate electors, the principle of “one person, one vote”, potential disenfranchisement and universal adult suffrage under Article 326.
Eligibility
- Any bona fide undergraduate student from any discipline may participate.
- Only one team per university, college or institute is permitted.
- Multiple entries from the same institute will not be entertained.
- Entries will be accepted on a first-come-first-served basis.
- Students of the Department of Laws, Panjab University, are not eligible to participate.
- The medium of communication is English.
- Formal attire is mandatory for all participants.
Team Composition
Each team must comprise two members. A single-member team will be disqualified.
The registration form, sealed and signed by the competent authority, along with the payment receipt, must accompany the online registration.
Competition Structure
The competition will be conducted over two days and will include two Preliminary Rounds, Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals and the Final.
Twenty-four teams will contest the two Preliminary Rounds, with five minutes per speaker. The top eight teams will advance to the Quarter-Finals, where each speaker will have 10 minutes. Four teams will proceed to the Semi-Finals, with 10 minutes per speaker, and two teams will contest the Final, with seven minutes per speaker.
The sides supporting or opposing the motion will be allotted by draw of lots for each round. Teams will argue both sides across the two Preliminary Rounds. After both speakers have finished, the Judge or Panel may ask questions or permit rebuttal for three minutes, subject to the Jury’s permission.
Detailed round-wise rules will be shared at the venue during registration. Participants are advised to arrive at least one hour before the event begins.
Evaluation Criteria
Participants will be evaluated on the following parameters:
- Content Quality: 10 marks
- Knowledge of Subject: 10 marks
- Confidence: 5 marks
- Command on Language: 5 marks
- Time Management: 5 marks
- Question and Answer: 5 marks
- Dress Code and Conduct: 10 marks
The total is 50 marks per member and 100 marks per team of two.
Prizes and Certificates
- Winners: ₹6,500 cash prize, trophy and certificate
- Runners-Up: ₹3,500 cash prize, trophy and certificate
- Best Team: ₹3,500 cash prize, trophy and certificate
- Best Debater: ₹2,500 cash prize, trophy and certificate
Winner and Runner-Up prizes will be awarded on the basis of total team marks. The Best Team will be determined by preliminary-round marks, while the Best Debater will be determined by overall scores across all rounds. Ties will be resolved through a tie-breaker, the details of which will be shared at venue registration.
Participation certificates will be given to participants attending their allocated and final rounds.
Registration Fee
Early Bird Registration: ₹1,800 per team without accommodation and ₹2,100 per team with accommodation.
Non-Early Bird Registration: ₹2,100 per team without accommodation and ₹2,700 per team with accommodation.
There will be no refund of the fee under any circumstance. Online pre-registered teams must bring the printed and signed registration form and a hard copy of the payment receipt on the day of the competition.
Important Details
- Dates: Oct 30–31, 2026
- Mode: Offline
- Venue: Department of Laws, Panjab University, Sector 14, Chandigarh
- Language: English
- Registration Deadline: Oct 20, 2026
- Early Bird Deadline: Oct 10, 2026
- Dress Code: Formal attire
- Accommodation: Provided only on the basis of the response submitted through the Google Form; it will not be available on the spot or on last-minute request.
Event Schedule
Day 1:
- Registration & Breakfast: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
- Preliminary Rounds: 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (with a break)
- Lunch: 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
- Quarter-Finals: 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Day 2:
- Breakfast: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
- Semi-Finals: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- Lunch: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- Final: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Valedictory Ceremony: 2:30 p.m.
How to Register?
Check the registration details at the end of the post!
Deadline
October 20, 2026
- Email: debate.laws@gmail.com
- Student Coordinators: Chandini Jaswal: +91 82880 30573; Durgeish Damini Jaiswal: +91 9805453866
- Instagram: @awaazpu
Click here to register!