5th Prof. (Dr.) Anil Kumar Thakur Memorial National Debate Competition by Panjab University: Register by Oct 20
The Prof. (Dr.) Anil Kumar Thakur Debating Society, Department of Laws, Panjab University, is organising the 5th Prof. (Dr.) Anil Kumar Thakur Memorial National Debate Competition on “Special Intensive Revision: Should It Be Done or Not?” on 30th–31st October 2026, in memory of Prof. (Dr.) Anil Kumar Thakur.
The Department of Laws, Panjab University, Chandigarh, will hold the fifth edition of its national debate competition on 30 and 31 October 2026. Open to undergraduate students from any discipline across the country, the competition invites participants to critically engage with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls — a process currently reshaping India’s approach to voter list accuracy and electoral participationorial Lectures.
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About the Department & the Debating Society
The Department of Laws, originally established at Lahore in 1889, 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, Cabinet Ministers, Ambassadors, Senior Bureaucrats, Police Officers and other legal luminaries.
The Prof. (Dr.) Anil Kumar Thakur Debating Society, which functions with the Law Department was founded in 2022 in memory of the much admired and respected Prof. (Dr.) Anil Kumar Thakur (1976-2021), an academician of Constitutional law and a sage counsellor.
Guided by his vision, the Society promotes interdisciplinary research, competitive debating, and public speaking among students. It features several sub-groups including the Family Law and ADR Center, MUN Club, student discussion group (Awaaz), Law Fest, Scholar Talk, and Prof. (Dr.) Anil Kumar Thakur Memorial Lecture Series. These initiatives have addressed key issues such as same-sex marriage, social media ethics and fake news, with the Society continuing to advance the Founder’s legacy of academic excellence and intellectual curiosity.
About the Competition
This will be the fifth edition of Prof. (Dr.) Anil Kumar Thakur Memorial National Debate Competition.
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About the Theme
This year’s theme examines the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, a drive by the Election Commission of India to overhaul voter registries under Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
Unlike routine updates, SIR involves door-to-door verification by Booth Level Officers to register newly eligible citizens while removing deceased, duplicate or relocated electors — progressing from house-to-house enumeration to draft publication, public claims and objections, and final roll publication.
Motion for Debate
In Favour: Special Intensive Revision Should Be Done
Proponents may highlight the administrative necessity of updating electoral rolls under Article 324 and Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, arguing that door-to-door verification purges duplicate, fake or deceased voters while enforcing the principle of “one person, one vote,” drawing on rulings such as PUCL v. Union of India.
In Opposition: Special Intensive Revision Should Not Be Done
Opponents may argue that intensive revisions impose onerous burdens of proof on citizens — risking disenfranchisement of rural, migrant and marginalised populations — and amount to administrative overreach without explicit parliamentary mandate, contending that arbitrary deletions undermine the constitutional guarantee of universal adult suffrage under Article 326.
Eligibility
- Any bonafide student from any discipline is eligible to participate.
- Only one team per university/college/institute is allowed.
- Multiple entries from the same institute will not be entertained.
- Entries are accepted on a first-come-first-served basis.
- Teams comprise two members; a single-member team stands disqualified.
- The registration form, sealed and signed by the competent authority, along with the payment receipt, must accompany the online registration.
- Students of the Department of Laws, Panjab University (the host) are ineligible to participate.
The medium of communication for the competition is English only. Formal attire is required for all participants.
Format
The competition comprises four rounds — two Preliminary Rounds, Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals and the Final — played out over two days:
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- 24 teams contest two Preliminary Rounds (5 minutes/speaker); the top 8 advance to the Quarter-Finals (10 minutes/speaker, knockout).
- 4 teams reach the Semi-Finals (10 minutes/speaker, knockout); 2 teams contest the Final (7 minutes/speaker).
- Sides (for/against the motion) are allotted by draw of lots for each round; teams argue both sides across the two Preliminary Rounds.
- After both speakers finish, the Judge/Panel has 3 minutes for questions or rebuttal, subject to the Jury’s permission.
Detailed round-by-round rules will be shared at the venue at the time of registration; participants are advised to reach at least one hour before the event begins.
Marking & Evaluation Parameters
| Content Quality | 10 marks |
| Knowledge of Subject | 10 marks |
| Confidence | 5 marks |
| Command on Language | 5 marks |
| Time Management | 5 marks |
| Question & Answer | 5 marks |
| Dress Code & Conduct | 10 marks |
| Total (per member / per team of two) | 50 marks / 100 marks |
Prizes & Perks
| Winners | ₹6,500 (cash) + Trophy + Certificate |
| Runners-Up | ₹3,500 (cash) + Trophy + Certificate |
| Best Team | ₹3,500 (cash) + Trophy + Certificate |
| Best Debater | ₹2,500 (cash) + Trophy + Certificate |
Winner and Runner-Up prizes are awarded on total team marks; Best Team is determined by preliminary-round marks and Best Debater by overall scores across all rounds. Ties are resolved through a tie-breaker, details of which will be shared at venue registration. Participation certificates are given to those attending their allocated and final rounds.
Important Details
| Dates of Event | 30 and 31 October 2026 |
| Mode | Offline (in-person) at the Department of Laws, Panjab University, Sector 14, Chandigarh |
| Registration Deadline | 20 October 2026 |
| Early Bird Registration | Ends 10 October 2026 |
| Day 1 Timings | Registration & breakfast 9:00–10:00 a.m.; Prelims 10:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m. (with break); Lunch 12:30–1:30 p.m.; Quarter-Finals 1:30–2:30 p.m. |
| Day 2 Timings | Breakfast 10:00–11:00 a.m.; Semi-Finals 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.; Lunch 12:00–1:00 p.m.; Final 1:00–2:00 p.m.; Valedictory Ceremony 2:30 p.m. |
| Language | English |
| Accommodation | Provided only on the basis of the response filled in the Google Form; not available on the spot or on last-minute request |
| Dress Code | Formal attire |
Registration Fee Details
| Early Bird – without accommodation | ₹1,800 per team |
| Early Bird – with accommodation | ₹2,100 per team |
| Non-Early Bird – without accommodation | ₹2,100 per team |
| Non-Early Bird – with accommodation | ₹2,700 per team |
There shall be no refund of the fee under any circumstance. Online pre-registered teams must also bring the printed, signed registration form and a hard copy of the payment receipt on the day of the competition.
Registration Procedure
Click Here To Register.
Interested participants can register for the competition through the official registration link.
Contact Us
Mail: [email protected]
Student Coordinators: Chandini Jaswal (+91 82880 30573) Durgeish Damini Jaiswal (+91 9805453866)
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