Speech Debate India x Harvard Debate Council Championship Series
SDI x Harvard Debate Certificate
Speech Debate India x Harvard Debate Council Championship Series is a competition by Speech Debate India for students in Class 4–12, open to students across India.
Mode
In-Person
Eligibility
Class 4–12
Fee
₹16,500
Duration
3 days per tournament
Format
Team · Teams of 2
Time needed
Significant preparation time (estimated 5-10 hours/week for 4-6 weeks) leading up to the 3-day tournament
About This Opportunity
The Speech Debate India x Harvard Debate Council Championship Series is an annual competitive debating event that brings the U.S. Research-Based Debate (USRBD) format to Indian students in grades 4 through 12. Students compete in pairs, researching and debating a live national policy resolution, judged on argument quality, evidence use, and delivery.
The championship is organized by Speech Debate India in partnership with the Harvard Debate Council and runs across three major Indian cities in a single season. Each city hosts a three-day in-person tournament, and teams may compete at one or more city venues. Students compete in three age-appropriate divisions: Elementary School (grades 4-5), Middle School (grades 6-8), and High School (grades 9-12).
All participants receive a certificate co-branded by Speech Debate India and the Harvard Debate Council. National rankings are published at the close of the season across all participating teams.
The programme is open to students across India and internationally. Registration is per team (pair of two students) with a fee of Rs. 16,500 per city tournament.
Eligibility
- Grade Level
- Class 4–12
- Location
- Nationwide
Open to students in grades 4-12 across India and internationally. Students compete in age-appropriate divisions: Elementary School (grades 4-5), Middle School (grades 6-8), and High School (grades 9-12).
Does your child qualify?
WiWit checks eligibility against your child's class, age, and location, and finds more opportunities like this one.
Academic Details
Difficulty: Intermediate
Rewards & Recognition
Certificate
SDI x Harvard Debate Council Certificate
All participants receive a certificate co-branded by Speech Debate India and the Harvard Debate Council, regardless of placement.
Recognized by
Recognition
National Rankings across all city tournaments
Skills your child builds
Highlights
- U.S. Research-Based Debate format in India in partnership with the Harvard Debate Council
- Three-city tournament circuit with published national rankings
- Certificate for all participants co-branded by Harvard Debate Council
Rounds & format
Each three-day tournament features paired rounds followed by elimination brackets. Students compete in their respective division (Elementary, Middle, or High School). Judging uses the U.S. Research-Based Debate scoring criteria.
How entries are judged
Pairs are evaluated on argument quality, use of evidence, rebuttal effectiveness, and presentation delivery in the U.S. Research-Based Debate format.
Selection process
National rankings are determined by cumulative performance across all city tournament results within the season.
How to apply
- 1Online registration
- 2Payment of registration fee
Fees & financial support
Fee details
Registration fee of Rs. 16,500 per team (pair of two students) per city tournament.
Frequently asked questions
Is Speech Debate India x Harvard Debate Council Championship Series free?
₹16,500 registration
Who can participate in Speech Debate India x Harvard Debate Council Championship Series?
Students in Class 4–12.
What will my child gain from Speech Debate India x Harvard Debate Council Championship Series?
Certificate co-branded by SDI and Harvard Debate Council for all participants. National rankings published at season close. Compete in U.S. Research-Based Debate format across three Indian cities. Access to tournaments in Delhi/Gurgaon, Bangalore, and Mumbai.
How we verified this
WiWit checks every listing before publishing it. The details above were last checked against official sources on .
Official sources
Share with other parents
Is this the right fit for your child?
WiWit matches opportunities to your child's class, interests, and skills, not a generic list. Save this and get reminders before the deadline closes.
Categories
WiWit
Don't miss what your child actually qualifies for
There are hundreds more opportunities like this one. WiWit matches them to your child's class, interests, and skills, so you find the right ones without searching through everything.
- Matched to your child's class, age, and interests
- Deadline reminders so you never miss registration
- Every opportunity verified before it's listed
Related Opportunities
Ahmedabad Grand Challenges Programme
by Ahmedabad University
An eight-day residential program at Ahmedabad University for students in Classes 10-12. Participants address real-world challenges in sustainability, public health, and urban systems.
What your child could gain:
CHEMUN — Chennai Model United Nations
by American International School Chennai
THIMUN-affiliated Model United Nations conference at American International School of Chennai for high school students, spanning 13 committees and 39 debate topics over three days.
What your child could gain:
Best Delegate Model UN Conference
by BestDelegate
Best Delegate Model UN Conference offers Indian students a dynamic platform to enhance skills in diplomacy, debate, leadership, and global issue resolution through simulating UN committees.
What your child could gain: