This document provides information about group discussions, including their definition, purpose, types of topics, and tips. A group discussion involves 8-12 members discussing a topic for 20-30 minutes while being evaluated. There are three main types of topics: factual, controversial, and abstract. Factual topics are practical everyday issues, controversial topics aim to generate debate, and abstract topics test creativity. Good discussion skills include active listening, making concise well-reasoned points, being respectful of others, and summarizing the discussion. Body language should remain open and engaged. The goal is to demonstrate knowledge, communication skills, leadership, and ability to work with others.

1. Group DISCUSSION

2. Definition of Group
Discussion
• Group Discussion is a modern
method of assessing students
personality.
• It is a comprehensive tool to judge
the worthiness of the student and his
appropriateness for the job.

3. Group Discussion
• The term suggests a discussion
among a group of persons.
• The group will have 8 & 12 members
who will express their views freely,
frankly in a friendly manner, on a
topic of current issue.
• Within a time limit of 20 to 30
minutes,the abilities of the members
of the group is measured.

4. Prerequisites of a Group
Discussion
• Topics given by panelists
• Planning and preparation
• Knowledge with self-confidence
• Communication skills/ power of speech
• Presentation
• Body Language and personal appearance
• Being calm and cool
• Listening skills
• Co-operation

5. Why do we have a GD?
• Understand a subject more deeply.
• Ability to think critically.
• Solving a particular problem.
• Group to make a particular decision.
• It gives you the chance to hear other
students' ideas.
• It improves your listening skills.

6. BODY SPORT OF GDs
POSITION
• Push your body to
the back of the
chair.
• Keep your hand on
your lap
• Hand movements
should be restricted.
• Keep your legs
stationed firmly on
the ground.
SIGNIFICANCE
• Keeps you alert.
• Indicates that you
are logical person.
• Indicates you that
you don’t need
hands as props
when speaking.
• Keeps you firmly
positioned.

7. Benefits of group discussion
• Language skills
• Academic knowledge
• Leadership skills
• people handling skills
• Team work
• General knowledge.

8. TYPES OF GROUP DISCUSSION
FACTUAL TOPICS
CONTROVERSIAL TOPICS
ABSTRACT TOPICS

9. Factual Topics
Factual topics are about practical things, which
an ordinary person is aware of in his day-to-day
life. Typically these are about socio-economic
topics. These can be current, i.e. they may have
been in the news lately, or could be unbound by
time. A factual topic for discussion gives a
candidate a chance to prove that he is aware of
and sensitive to his environment.
E.g. - The education policy of India, Tourism in
India.

10. Controversial Topics
Controversial topics are the ones that are
argumentative in nature. They are meant to
generate controversy. In GDs where these topics
are given for discussion, the noise level is usually
high, there may be tempers flying. The idea
behind giving a topic like this is to see how much
maturity the candidate is displaying by keeping
his temper in check, by rationally and logically
arguing his point of view without getting personal
and emotional.
E.g. - Reservations should be removed, Women
make better managers.

11. Abstract Topics
Abstract topics are about intangible
things. These topics are not given
often for discussion, but their
possibility cannot be ruled out. These
topics test your lateral thinking and
creativity.
E.g. -A is an alphabet, Twinkle
twinkle little star, The number 10.

12. Tips for summarizing a
Discussion
• Avoid dwelling only on one aspect of the
GD.
• Keep it brief & concise.
• It must incorporate all the important
points that came out during the GD.
• If the examiner ask you to summarize a
GD, it means the GD has come to an end.
• Do not add anything once the GD has
been summarized.

13. DO’S IN GD
• Listen to the subject carefully
• Put down your thoughts on a paper
• Initiate the discussion if you know the subject
well
• Listen to others if you don’t know the subject
• Support points with some facts and figures
• Make short contribution of 25-30 seconds 3-4
times
• Give others a chance to speak
• Speak politely and pleasantly. Respect
contribution from other members.
• Disagree politely and agree with what is right.
• Summarize the discussion if the group has not
reached a conclusion.

14. DON’TS IN GD
• Initiate the discussion if you do not have
sufficient knowledge about the given topic.
• Argue and shout during the GD
• Look at the evaluators or a particular group
member
• Talk irrelevant things and distract the
discussion
• Pose negative body gestures like touching the
nose, leaning back on the chair, knocking the
table with a pen etc.
• Display low self confidence with shaky voice
and trembling hands.
• Try to dominate the discussion
• Put others in an embarrassing situation by
asking them to speak if they don’t want.

15. Don’ts during group
discussion
• Being shy /nervous / keeping isolated
from G.D
• Interrupting another participant before
his arguments are over
• Speak in favour ; example:Establish
your position and stand by it stubbornly
• Don’t make fun of any participant even
if his arguments are funny.
• Don’t engage yourself in sub-group
conversation.

16. Important points in group
discussion
• Be assertive: An assertive person is direct ,
honest careful about not hurting others
‘self-respect’.
• A patient listener: listening to another
person is one way of showing appreciation.
• Right language : Words can make friends &
right words at the right time make the best
results.
• Be analytical and fact-oriented : It is
necessary to make relevant points which
can be supported with facts and analyzed
logically.

17. Accept criticism
• If any member of the group criticizes or
disapproves a point, it is unwise to get
upset or react sharply.
• Maximize participation ; one must try to
contribute fully, vigorously & steadily
throughout the discussion.
• Show leadership ability: A group
discussion also evaluates your
leadership qualities.

18. • Accept the contradicts view
• Express your argument with few facts,
cases, %,
Newspapers publications etc.
• Express without hurting others
feelings.

19. • Suggestions
• Never try to bluff.
• Practice group discussion with friends on
different subjects.
• Remember !speech is a powerful
weapon.

20. Topics of Importance frequently
discussed
• Is India Shining
• Mobile phones / Internet – a boon or
nuisance
• Students focusing on software industry-
good or bad
• Child marriage
• India 2020
• Daughters are more caring than sons
• Influence of western culture in Indian
Universities
• Influence of computers in medical sciences

21. Topics for Next session
• Does Travelling help in generating
ideas and experiential learning?
• Knowledge is the biggest asset you
can accumulate.
• Zero