Literary · OFFICIAL RULES

Debate Dias

Where ideas take the stage and arguments take flight. Speak with conviction, challenge perspectives and let the power of your words win the room.

21–22 November 2026 · Report 30 minutes before your scheduled competition. Exact timings and venues will be shared with registered schools.

Debate Dias — Asian Parliamentary debate. Official NCLF event poster.

Eligibility: Cubs: Grades 6–8 · Lions: Grades 9–12
Participation: Team of 3 students, preferably from the same school
Format: Asian Parliamentary debate
Competition dates: Preliminaries: Day 1 · Knockouts: Day 2
Registration deadline: To be confirmed
Prize: Qualification opportunity for Maha Behes
Awards: Qualifying teams advance to Maha Behes nationals in Delhi

COMPETITION 03

Everything you need to know.

Read the competition-specific format and requirements carefully. The festival-wide rules below apply as well.

Asian Parliamentary format

Each division participates in 2 preliminary debates on Day 1. High-scoring teams qualify for the Day 2 knockout rounds under the same rules.
Motions are based on the theme “Another day, Another dollar”. Cubs and Lions receive different motions.
Participants can access the reading list from the Behes website under the Resources tab.
Teams that qualify for Day 2 also qualify for the Maha Behes nationals in Delhi.

Preparation and speaking order

Debate topics are revealed before the round. A coin toss in the debate room assigns proposition and opposition.
Teams receive exactly 10 minutes to prepare after the motion is released: 5 minutes with internet access followed by 5 minutes without internet access.
All electronic devices are prohibited once preparation time ends.
Speeches alternate between proposition and opposition, beginning with the first proposition speaker and continuing until all speakers finish.
Each speaker has a maximum of 3 minutes. Interjections and interruptions are not allowed.

Judging criteria

Matter: the content and quality of the argument.
Manner: the speaker’s presentation and delivery.
Method: the structure and organisation of the speech.

APPLIES TO ALL SIX COMPETITIONS

General competition rules.

All participants must be bona fide students of the school they represent and must carry their school ID card.
The festival will be held on 21 and 22 November 2026. Competition-wise timings and venues will be shared with registered schools.
Participants must report at the venue 30 minutes before their scheduled competition.
Registration closes on a date to be confirmed. Entries received after the announced deadline will not be accepted.
Unless stated otherwise in a competition’s rules, a maximum of 2 entries or teams per school per competition will be allowed.
Mobile phones, smart watches, dictionaries, the internet and AI tools of any kind are prohibited during all on-site rounds, except where a competition’s rules expressly permit them.
Plagiarism, unfair means or misconduct towards volunteers, judges, organisers or other participants will lead to immediate disqualification.
The judges’ decision is final and binding in all competitions. No appeals will be entertained.
The organisers reserve the right to amend, reschedule or cancel any competition, and to photograph and publish the event and submitted entries, with credit to the participants.
The competition help-desk contact will be announced. For urgent assistance, call +91 77498 34857.

READY TO TAKE PART?

Claim your place.

Registration is live through the official NCLF form. Fields marked “To be confirmed” will be published by the organising team when finalised.

General competition rules.

All participants must be bona fide students of the school they represent and must carry their school ID card.

The festival will be held on 21 and 22 November 2026. Competition-wise timings and venues will be shared with registered schools.

Participants must report at the venue 30 minutes before their scheduled competition.

Registration closes on a date to be confirmed. Entries received after the announced deadline will not be accepted.

Unless stated otherwise in a competition’s rules, a maximum of 2 entries or teams per school per competition will be allowed.

Mobile phones, smart watches, dictionaries, the internet and AI tools of any kind are prohibited during all on-site rounds, except where a competition’s rules expressly permit them.

Plagiarism, unfair means or misconduct towards volunteers, judges, organisers or other participants will lead to immediate disqualification.

The judges’ decision is final and binding in all competitions. No appeals will be entertained.

The organisers reserve the right to amend, reschedule or cancel any competition, and to photograph and publish the event and submitted entries, with credit to the participants.

The competition help-desk contact will be announced. For urgent assistance, call +91 77498 34857.

Debate Dias

Everything you need to know.

Asian Parliamentary format

Preparation and speaking order

Judging criteria

General competition rules.

Claim your place.

SEE YOUAT NCLF.

Debate Dias

Everything you need to know.

Asian Parliamentary format

Preparation and speaking order

Judging criteria

General competition rules.

Claim your place.

SEE YOU
AT NCLF.