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Essential MBA
GD Guide
Key topics with Strategies
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Importance of Group Discussions

Tips and Strategies to handle a GD
Top 25 GD topics
Sample GD
Importance of Group Discussions

"Group Discussion", popularly known as GD, is a methodology used by colleges to gauge whether the
candidate has certain personality traits. In a GD, a group of candidates is given a topic or a situation,
typically given some time to think about the same, and then asked to discuss it among themselves for a
specific duration. As in a football game, where you play like a team, passing the ball to each team member
and aim for a common goal, GD is also based on team work, incorporating views of different team
members to reach a common goal.

GDs are conducted to find out whether a candidate possesses the required qualities and skills to contribute
effectively to the goal accomplishment process. The performance of candidates is evaluated on the basis of
following parameters:

 Knowledge/Content

Your ability to have an opinion on contemporary issues reflects your general awareness. Knowledge is a
sharp differentiator and helps you to leverage a strong competitive advantage. If you do not possess the
requisite knowledge of the given topic, your discussion runs the danger of being shallow and superficial.
Being well versed with current affairs and issues of concurrent importance can help you to do well along
this parameter. Also, the quality and relevance of content is a must.

Suggested Reading: Know the answers to commonly asked Questions on GD Content

 Initiative

Taking initiative indicates your ability to impart direction to the group and define the key issues along
which the discussion has to progress. The "Key Word Approach", wherein you start with defining the
dominant words in the topic and then develop subsequent constructs, can help you to initiate effectively.
For example, in a topic like "Should Republic Day celebrations be redefined?", the key words are "Republic"
and "redefined".

 Group Dynamics:

Candidates participating in GD are evaluated for their ability to work in a team. Corporate world is all about
working in a team. So you need to demonstrate the skill to strike a balance between individual excellence
and group performance. A person scoring high on this parameter will be more suitable to work in groups
and hence contribute effectively to organizations.

 Communication Skills:

This evaluates the candidate's ability to communicate his/her ideas and is measured from a dual
perspective - verbal and non-verbal. While verbal communication scores the student on parameters like
fluency, articulation and modulation, the non-verbal quotient defines his/her adequacy vis-&-vis body
language, eye contact and posture. Confidence in voicing your opinion reflects your clarity of thoughts.
Apart from the above mentioned parameters, the candidate is judged on the basis of following skills:

 Problem solving skills

 Listening skills
 Reasoning ability
 Conceptualizing ability
 Leadership skills
 Persuasive skills

Suggested Reading: Expert tips to ace Group discussions

Tips and Strategies to handle a GD

A group discussion is based on variety of topics which can be broadly classified into- factual & abstract.
Given below is the strategy to tackle these two types of GD topics:

1. Factual: These topics are based on static or dynamic components of the environment (such as
social, political, economical, etc.). In other words, these topics check your general knowledge as
well as understanding of current happenings.
 The first step towards approaching a factual topic is to analyse the topic from multiple
angles.
 Try to explore the history of the topic- find the people/events that triggered the issue.
 Discuss the pros and cons from various perspectives.
 Give examples to justify your viewpoint.
 Find the stake holders in the given issue- figure out the elements that are going to lose or
benefit from the issue.

Generally, the factual topics belong to the following areas- education, sports, social, political,
economics, IT, environment, national & international events etc. Examples of factual topics- The
Euro crisis: issues and challenges, Genesis of Caste System in India etc.

2. Abstract: These topics assess your perception and interpretation on wide-ranging subjects. The
way you look at the topic decides your subsequent participation and performance in a GD. The
challenge here is to put forth multiple implications of the topic and then evoke a discussion on
some of them. Idea generation and ability to add a tangible angle to an otherwise abstract topic
are essential to ace such kind of GDs.
 Think creatively on the topic and then translate that thinking into concrete ideas and
words.
 A creative idea is best justified if it is supported with facts or linked to a current event.
 Pay attention to other candidates’ points so that they can be developed further.
 These topics have a wide scope. So, try to explore them from various aspects.
 Use POPBEANS approach for idea generation- People, Objects, Place, Behaviour, Event,
Actions, Nature, Society.

Examples of abstract topics: Smart work v/s Hard work, Modernization is not westernization, Red,
Borderless world – a myth/reality? etc.

Do’s and Don’ts of a GD:

 Being the first speaker or not: Speaking first is preferable if you can manage to produce some
original content. However, if you have nothing substantial to say, it can prove to be
counterproductive. In other words, speaking sense is more important than when to speak or how
much to speak.

 The kind of GD topic: If the GD topic is easy, then speaking earlier is preferable as points tend to get
exhausted early. However, if you don’t have sufficient knowledge of the topic, you should listen
 carefully so that you can summarize or generate ideas from whatever has been said. Generally, in
case studies and difficult/abstract topics, it may be better to speak up later.

 Group behaviour: If there is hesitation on the part of the group to begin discussion on the topic, you
can take the initiative and provide direction, even if your own thoughts are not very clear yet. This
would demonstrate your leadership skills. You may introduce the topic with a relevant quote or an
example/incident, identify to define the key words in the topic, and subsequently correlate them to
frame a flowchart for the discussion.

 Changing your stand during the course of a GD: You can change your stance in the GD if it is for
genuine reasons and you can rationally explain why you have changed. It conveys flexibility and
openness on your part. However, it should not arise out of confusion. Also if you do change, it is
advised that you do not change again. It is not necessary to have strong views on an issue. Even if
you do have strong views, it is important to be objective and state your views with fact and reason.
The objective is to conduct a meaningful discussion.

 Take down notes: It is important to remember the issues raised and the important points made - you
will need this both to summarize as well as identify how you could contribute more points to the
discussion. However, rather than writing down long sentences, just jot down the key words. You
should develop the capability to take mental notes and if you need to jot down, limit the notes to key
words. This is because, one tends to lose track of the discussion while writing down notes.

 GD Etiquette: Don't be rude or offensive. Also, avoid using slangs and jargons. You should be
courteous to everyone present in the GD.

 Don’t state wrong facts: One thing about factual data is that it can provide extra-points to you but if
you state a wrong fact, you can be stuck with someone explaining that you need to check your facts.
In case you are not sure about something, you can always say that you are quoting that piece of
information approximately.

How to enter the GD when others are speaking:

 Generally, when we enter a group discussion, we do so by interjecting the other person and
contradicting his viewpoint. A smart way to enter the discussion could be by supporting the point
of another person. The popular way adopted to enter a loud GD is by increasing one’s volume.
Though this method comes almost naturally and one is prone to shouting in such an environment,
this may contribute to the melee. So, make sure that even though with a raised voice, it does not
pass the impression that you are shouting.

 GDs are peculiar in the sense that move like a wave, and have their highs and lows. You are advised
to note these patterns, and whenever you find that the noise levels have reduced, that is your
moment to enter the discussion. But do remember, at times, you would not get such a chance at
 all. And if in the first few minutes of the GD, you observe that there are no lows, you would be left
with no choice but to barge your way in.

 A good way to enter group discussion is to ask a question from other participants. Questions
provide a vital chance to jump in the discussion and provide inputs. At this juncture, ask follow up
questions or give thoughts on the question that you raised.

 Enter after a person has made his point. Interjections need to be made at the right moment. For
example, someone has just started with his points and you try to cut him short. It is rare that the
other person would give you a chance to speak before he completes his points. On the other hand,
if you allow him to put across his points and then enter the discussion by interrupting him, there is
a greater chance you succeed.

Suggested Reading: Know the tips and strategy to handle different situations in a GD

Use of certain words and phrases:

1. Filler Words: These words give us time to think, but these words de-emphasize what we are trying
to say. Examples are:

 Um…

 Sort of…

 Type of …

 Well, you know…

 You know what I mean…

Inappropriately used, they rob our speech of the power of persuasion.

2. Link Words: There are times when people want to soften the impact of what they want to say and
they start with a seemingly incidental and important piece of information and then use a link word
or expression before they say what they really mean.

 By the way…

 But…

 However…

 Incidentally…

 On the other hand…

3. Emphatic Words: Words that can be used to emphasize the ideas that follow them:

 Definitely

 Honestly
  Must

 Actually

 Frankly

 Literally

Be careful while using these words. At times their use might imply that the information that follows is
untrue.

4. To give your opinion/ agree with an opinion:

"I think we should ….."
"I think the correct approach is to ……"
"I am in agreement with what has just been said."
"I would like to add the following ……"

5. To disagree:
"I don't agree with the idea that ….."
"I differ on this issue. I think we should ….."
"May be we should consider the following….."
"I feel we should do/ should not do this…."

6. To seek clarification:
"Could you please restate what you just said?”
"I did not understand you. Can you please repeat?"

Final Tips to ace a GD:

 Practice speaking out loud whatever thoughts crosses your mind on a subject, to overcome your
inhibition.
 Practice reading out loud from books and newspapers.
 Watch news on popular English news channels.
 Form groups with others and practice GD on various topics.

Top 25 GD topics

1. Man on Moon or Food for Man?

2. Global Warming
3. Reality Shows: How real?
4. Intellectual Property Rights Issues in India.
5. The Youth Channels – a Threat to Indian Culture.
6. Corruption can neither be eliminated nor be mitigated in India.
7. GST: Pros & Cons
8. Child labour
9. Artificial Intelligence
 10. Demonetization
11. Why do we lag behind China?
12. Media: an effective 4th pillar of Indian Society?
13. Too much media hype distracts policy making.
14. Should Pakistani artists be banned from working in India?
15. Modernization is not westernization
16. Ethics and values are utopian words
17. Consumer is the king in today's market.
18. Criminalization of Politics
19. Borderless World: A Myth or Reality?
20. We Need More Entrepreneurs than Managers
21. E-Learning: A Substitute for Classroom Learning?
22. Brevity is the soul of wit.
23. Youth in Politics
24. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
25. Women Empowerment is limited to debates.

Suggested Reading: Detailed list of GD topics 2018

Sample GD

Should we allow incurably diseased persons to live or not?

Points In Favour:

If we feel sad to kill even an animal or a bird, how can our conscience allow us to kill a fellow human being
just because he is incurably ill? Moreover he has done no harm to society and his illness is not because of
his fault. Therefore, we must provide him proper treatment and allow him to live as long as Nature has
willed it.

God has gifted us life. So, he alone has the right to take it back. No human being has a right to interfere in
His scheme of things. Once on this earth, every man has a right to live as long as God does not want him to
die. Therefore, the reasoning that just because a man is suffering from an incurable disease, he should be
put to death is untenable and beyond reason.
It is not always the case that incurably diseased persons spread contagious diseases as some might argue.
Even in those rare cases where it may be true, these persons are not real health hazards because it is
medically established now that all incurable diseases are not contagious. However, as a precautionary
measure, we should open separate hospitals or isolation wards for persons suffering from incurable
contagious diseases and thus quarantine them.

Killing an incurably diseased person will put an end to research work in medical science. Even otherwise,
suffering people have been the subject of research work quite less. Now new vistas of progress have been
opened in medical sciences and alternative medicine like Acupuncture, Acupressure, Reiki Pranik healing,
Touch therapy, Herbal therapy, Diet therapy, etc. hold a ray of hope for the so called incurably diseased
persons. So, why snatch life from them?

Points against:

This world is governed by Darwin's survival of the fittest principle. An incurably diseased person is weak
and has no value whatsoever to the society. Moreover, he has no means to live. Therefore, it would be in
the fitness of things to kill him even against his wish.

An incurably diseased person is the cause of constant worry to his family, his demands are unending and
notwithstanding the best possible attention, care and treatment given to him, he always remains
dissatisfied and disgruntled. This adversely affects peace of mind and comfort of the family members.
Therefore, the best way out of such a situation is to put an end to his life.

These days we are saddled with the responsibility of reducing our burgeoning population. The many
diseased persons constitute a good part of it. Even otherwise their contribution to society being nil and
burden great, it would be justified and reasonable not to allow them to drag on their agonizing life.

Conclusion:

Defining gray areas is something which any amount of legislation can never achieve. Our policies need to
ensure that the group of people taking a decision to terminate the life is doing so in the best interest of the
patient and society.

Suggested Reading: Know the answers to commonly asked questions pertaining to the speaker in GDs