Rules:

1. Debate will be conducted in English only.

2. Competition is open to all.

3. Contestants shall participate in teams of 2 (irrespective of stream) or individually, in which case they will be randomly paired with another individual participant on the spot.

4. One contestant shall speak for the motion and one against the motion from each team.

5. Unparliamentary language will not be entertained and will be penalized.

Format :

1. Each contestant shall have 3 minutes for speaking + 1 minute for additional time. Other teams may not ask questions during this period.

2. To maintain the originality of individual arguments, other teams will not be allowed to observe their competitors' arguments and must await their turn in a pre-allocated waiting area.

3. In the final round, other teams as well as the judges may ask questions. The teams will be expected to rebut the same and will be marked for their rebuttals. Each participant's rebuttal will be allotted 1.5 minutes.

4. All rebuttals must be made separately at the end, after both teams have made their primary arguments.

5. Each contestant shall be evaluated objectively out of a total of 50 points.

6. The decision of the judges and the organizing committee shall be final.