Group discussion will always be a part of the recruitment process for years to come. Communication skills are one of the primary skills judged in a group discussion where participants are judged on how well they communicate and put their thoughts and points across.
Participation in group discussion is bound to benefit all participants, including students, freshers, and experienced applicants, to get admission & entrance exams when applying for interviews & internships, and many more.
It helps them learn something, thus adding a take-away feeling once the GD is done. In addition, there are easy group discussion topics that help students or candidates applying for interviews think and bring more output for the session.
It also helps them gain confidence. It was thus making a change in their personality.
Easy Topics for Group Discussion
As we know, practice can take you a long way. All organizations are bound to conduct group discussions to recruit employees, and it is only fair that you practice for it.
The following topics have been differentiated as follows,
- General Interest Group Discussion Topics
- Group Discussion Topics on Current Affairs
- Group Discussion Topics on Education
- Group Discussion Topics on Social Issues
- Creative Group Discussion Topics
General Interest Group Discussion Topics
A group discussion is a process wherein a few people discuss each other, putting their points across, view, and other opinions systematically about a certain issue, problem, or topic among the other members of the group.
The following are the general interest group discussion topics.
- Is beef ban illogical in India?
- How will 2024 shape 2025?
- Can illiterate people be given a driving license?
- Print media versus digital media.
- Benefits and the challenges in private trains
- The era of electric vehicles in India
- Facebook versus LinkedIn
- Leaders versus managers
- Should law monitor artistic expression?
- The traffic situation in India.
- Information overload
- Who is the try ally for India?
Also Read: How to Start a Group Discussion? Steps, Tips
Group Discussion Topics on Current Affairs
Group discussions are used as a part of recruitment in certain government exams as well. One such exam is the SBI PO exam that conducts group discussions.
In addition, many IIMs all over India, such as IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, also conduct group discussions as well in order to give entrance for aspiring students.
The following are the group discussion topics on current affairs.
- Has demonetization become more effective?
- Impacts of lockdown in India.
- Linking of Aadhaar: Is making Aadhaar mandatory a good idea?
- AI: boon or bane for India?
- Is GST making an impact?
- Should Chinese apps be banned in India?
- The impact of Covid-19 on India and Indians.
- Has bank mergers been good for the Indian economy?
- Is globalization an opportunity or a threat?
- Are e-commerce discounts harmful in the long run?
- Chinese goods are a threat to Indian businessmen and the economy.
Group Discussion Topics on Education
The primary objective of a group discussion is to check participants' team playing and team-building skills.
One has to understand the other person's point of view and make sure the whole team concludes it is acceptable to everyone.
The following are the group discussion topics on education.
- Should yoga be made compulsory at the school level?
- How safe do you think the children are at the Indian school?
- Is the dress code really necessary for students?
- Do schools and colleges/universities need students to have compulsory attendance?
- Increasing the number of engineering colleges is a welcome step. Do you agree or disagree?
- The pros and cons of e-learning
- Is an MBA a rat race?
- Has examination killed education?
- The pros and cons of private learning institutions
- Indian universities versus foreign universities.
- Is English the medium of teaching in schools?
- Should animals be dissected for educational and academic purposes?
Also Read: Top 10 Do's and Don'ts of Group Discussion
Group Discussion Topics on Social Issues
Group discussions play a very important role in today's world as GD can help put one's point across and express their opinions.
The following are group discussion topics on social issues.
- Do students require sexual and reproductive health awareness?
- The pros and cons of work from home (WFH)
- Mob lynching in India.
- Lack of balance in the work-life in today's world.
- Child marriages in India.
- What's the status of Indian women in this current scenario?
- Is mental illness a taboo in India?
- Are girl infanticide and the determination of the gender of the unborn baby a crime?
- Is Indian culture decaying or degenerating?
- Drug abuse is widespread among teenagers.
- Should the reservation system be based on the economic status of the individual?
- Does Delhi need to revise its law on vehicular air pollution?
- Is women empowerment the solution to violence against women in India?
Creative Group Discussion Topics
Creative group discussions are commonly conducted during class events or internships and interviews to judge the participants' creative and imaginative sides.
The following are the creative group discussion topics.
- Is criticism good?
- Is obesity a disability?
- The age of information.
- Online tourism is killing the offline travel business.
- Bollywood films and Hollywood influence on Indian music is harming folk culture in India.
- Silence is golden. Does it apply in today's scenario?
- Smart work versus hard work
- Every cloud has a silver lining.
- Is being rich equal to being successful?
- Are traditions an obstacle to our progression?
- Are beauty pageants necessary for people?
- Women are better parents when compared to men.
Also Read: Easy Topics for Group Discussion
Tips for Group Discussion
Group discussion can be stressful to some, and you would want to do better at it at all costs.
Here are some tips to keep in mind before you participate in a group discussion.
- Be aware of your body language.
- Be assertive and not aggressive.
- Be attentive and alert.
- Never interrupt anyone when they are speaking.
- Stay updated at all times.
- Maintain a firm posture, don't bow.
- Be a good listener.
- Dress formally.
- Do not verbally argue with anyone.
- Make eye contact with the people.
- Practice beforehand.
- Be confident when you speak.
- Don't be afraid to start or initiate.
- Do not repeat what has already been told.
Parameters Judged in a Group Discussion
Communication skills are one of the primary skills judged in a group discussion where participants are judged on how well they communicate and put their thoughts and points across.
Here are other key parameters that in a group discussion that you are usually judged on during a group discussion.
- Attitude plays a huge role in a group discussion. Always have a positive attitude and let that positive attitude take over the session. Be kind to others and give them a chance to put their points across as well.
- Leadership skills - how well you can lead the team and hold their attention. Though a leader who isn't appointed in a group discussion, one is bound to emerge as a leader. Hence always take that opportunity to do so.
- Subject knowledge and analytical skills - the candidate is judged on the subject knowledge, how well you are aware of the subjects, and how good you are at solving problems.
- Behaviour with the team of candidates likes how well you treat the other candidates, how you interact with the other, and how well you put your point across.
- Listening skills are one of the most crucial skills they (candidates) are judged upon. It shows how attentive and focused you are. Listening is more important than the speaking skills here, as only if you listen will you contribute to the GD.
- Confidence is another important aspect to improve on if you don't already have it. If you have a very good & valid point and cannot put it across confidently enough, you might fail to get the judge's attention.
Also Read: Group Discussion Topics for College Students
Books for Group Discussion
Group discussions assess participants on their decision-making skills, on how well they can decide in the short period of the group discussion.
Here are a few books one can refer to to get more depth on the GD.
- Group Discussion on Current Topic by Joshi P. N.
- High School Talksheets--updated! 50 Creative Discussions for High School Youth Groups by David Lynn
- Topics for Group Discussion by Shrikant Prasoon
- Effective Group Discussion: Theory and Practice Loose Leaf by Gloria Galanes, Katherine Adams
- GD Guide: To Excel in Group Discussion by Gyan Shankar