Group Discussion Topics Success Guide

By www.frshersdoor.com

Introduction
A Group Discussion is a methodology used by an organization to find whether
the candidate has certain personality traits and skills that it desires in its
members. In this methodology, the group of candidates is given a topic or a
situation, given a few minutes to think about the same, and then asked to discuss
the topic among themselves for 15-20 minutes. Freshersdoor.com brings you an
elaborate section for GD as you had ever seen anywhere else. It is a very useful
tool to screen the candidate’s potential as well as their skills.
Why GD is conducted?
Organizations conduct GDs to find out whether you possess the critical
qualities/skills to contribute effectively to the goal accomplishment process. GD
evaluation is done by the subject experts based on the discussions. A report will
be prepared on analysing the facts at the end of the discussion.
Here are some of the important personality traits that a candidate should possess
to do well at a GD
1. Communication skills
2. Interpersonal Skills
3. Leadership Skills
4. Motivational Skills
5. Team Building Skills
6. Analytical /Logical Skills
7. Reasoning ability
8. Different Thinking
9. Initiative
10.Assertiveness
11.Flexibility
12.Creativity
13.Ability to think on ones feet
The reason why institutes put you through a Group discussion and an interview,
after testing your technical and conceptual skills in an exam, is to get to know
you as a person and gauge how well you will fit in their institute. GD evaluates
how you can function as a part of a team. As a manager or as a member of an
organization you will always be working in teams.

Do’s and Don’ts of participating in Group Discussion

As you have to participate in a Group Discussion several questions spring

across your mind. You want to know what actions and gestures can get you
positive points and what can cost you the selection. Here’s a list of Dos and
Don’ts of participating in the GD.

Do’s of participating in a GD:

1. Listen to the subject carefully
2. Put down your thoughts on a paper
3. Initiate the discussion if you know the subject well
4. Listen to others if you don’t know the subject
5. Support you point with some facts and figures
6. Make short contribution of 25-30 seconds 3-4 times
7. Give others a chance to speak
8. Speak politely and pleasantly. Respect contribution from other members.
9. Disagree politely and agree with what is right.
10. Summarize the discussion if the group has not reached a conclusion.

Don’ts of participating in a Group Discussion

1. Initiate the discussion if you do not have sufficient knowledge about the
given topic.
2. Over speak, intervene and snatch other’s chance to speak.
3. Argue and shout during the GD
4. Look at the evaluators or a particular group member
5. Talk irrelevant things and distract the discussion
6. Pose negative body gestures like touching the nose, leaning back on the
chair, knocking the table with a pen etc.
7. Mention erratic statistics.
8. Display low self-confidence with shaky voice and trembling hands.
9. Try to dominate the discussion
10. Put others in an embarrassing situation by asking them to speak if they
don’t want.
Body Language in a group discussion

One of the most important elements of communication is body language. Our

gestures, hand movements, facial expressions etc come under body language.

When we communicate, it is very essential for us to have the correct body

language to avoid offence to anyone.

1. In a group discussion, Positive body gestures are a sign of confidence and

security. They are a sign of active participation and leave a good impression.
2. Positive gestures include Walking upright, Shaking hands confidently etc.
3. Often body language conveys a lot of messages that words may not.
4. A positive body language increases an impact on others.
5. Body language helps to build a rapport with others.
6. Body language helps to understand what others may try to convey.
7. Body language helps to control aggression and conflicts.
8. Body language can show you are energetic in a group discussion.
9. When communicating, it is important for us to have positive body gestures.
Direct and steady eye contact is the most important of them.

Different types of topics in a Group Discussion

A Group Discussion may be based on two kinds of topics factual and Abstract.
1. Factual:
Such topics require familiarity with facts/information on static/dynamic
components of the environment.These topics can be further categorized into
the following :-
 Factual Generic - These topics require a basic level of awareness w.r.t the
various segments of the environment. They test you more on interpersonal
skills and behavior,rather than discrete sectoral information. Examples:-
o Cricket and India.
o Issues of managing diversity in a country like India.
o Honesty is the best policy.
o Living in a joint family is better.
o Guessing is an act of intelligence.
 Factual Specific - These topics assess you on specific challenges in gathering
and analyzing information on select areas. A thorough understanding of
 current affairs can ensure a high comfort level in handling such topics.
Examples:-
o WTO and its impact on the Indian Economy.
o The Jasmine revolution and implications for the Arab world.
o GAAR
o The Euro crisis: issues and challenges.
o Coalgate
2. Abstract:
Such topics are based on your perception. The way you look at the topic
decides your subsequent participation and performance. 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 the hallmarks of success here.
Examples:-
a. Pigs can fly.
b. And the clock struck 13!
c. Pink pyjamas over the Red Fort.
d. Red is red, blue is blue and never the two shall meet.
e. Black

Solved GD Topics

Example 1: Corruption is main outcome of democracy in India

In Favour :
1. Democracy provides equality to everyone, from whatsoever background and
competency; it makes easier to play around loopholes in India.
2. Democracy does not play a direct role to promote corruption but it gives
power to people who are incapable and have their own aims and selfishness.
3. In democracy a person is chosen by population. This procedure could be
faulty because human being can be motivated trough means of greed or fear.
4. Democracy leads to vote politics and vote politics leads to the decisions,
which are favorable to some groups of society. Such decisions and policies are
not good for nation’s growth.
In Against :
1. The risk of Democracy is a systemic risk; corruption is a personal equation
and holds good or bad depending on an individual's and organization’s personal
value systems. The two should therefore not be construed/ read as a cause-
effect relationship.
2. Democracy gives choice to people to select leaders. If people choose wrong
leaders than democracy cannot be blamed.
3. Democracy is a beautiful system, where people choose their leader. So
responsibility is on shoulders of citizens to choose a right capable leader who
can take right and rational decision. More good people should join politics and
people should vote right people.

Conclusion :
Democracy doesn’t support corruption at all. But people themselves are greedy
and selfish who are motivated for corruption.

Example 2: Is FDI good for India?

Points to be known :-
1. Full form of FDI is 'Foreign Direct Investment'.
2. FDI can be defined as 'one company can invest on physical means such as
lands, factories and mines in another company of another country to acquire
lasting management interest'.
3. The host company and the company, which is investing together form a
'multinational corporation' (MNC).
4. Through FDI, the company, which invests will have control over the host
company.
In Favor :-
1. FDI helps in the economic development of the host country (where the
investment is being made).
2. For origin and host countries, FDI provides access to new technologies,
products, skills and organizational and management strategies.
3. Employment increases in the host country.
4. Origin country (the country which makes the investment) also develops
economically.
5. Competition increases. So that, with the competitive spirit, every company
improves to its best.
6. Through FDI in production companies, price reduction is possible.
7. FDI is a boon for the small companies to become more actively involved in
international business activities.
8. Agriculture related people get good price for their goods as middle men will
be eliminated.
In Against :-
1. With the FDI in retail sector, small companies and merchants will suffer a lot.
2. Inflation (the rise in prices over a period of time) may be increased.
3. Technological dependence on foreign technology sources.
Conclusion :-
FDI is good for any country to develop economically and also technologically.

52 Group Discussion Topics 2017

1. Demonetization is good or bad for country?

2. Impacts of Demonetization implemented by Modi good for people or not?
3. The Social Network – good or bad?
4. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in retail – good or bad?
5. Lokpal Bill.
6. Youth in politics
7. Should we have exams?
8. Should attendance be made compulsory in Engineering colleges?
9. Is Indian culture decaying?
10.Live-in relationship
11.Love marriage vs arranged marriage
12.Has democracy hampered India’s progress?
13.Commercialization of health care.
14.High oil prices – How to deal with?
15.Is remixing music a good trend?
16.Are MNCs better than Indian Companies?
17.Will India become a superpower by 2025?
18.Should educational qualification be made compulsory for politicians?
19.Advertising.
20.Privatization in India
21.Impact of Valentine Day on our culture.
22.Brain-Drain.
23.Skilled manpower shortage in India
24.Are space missions a wastage of resources for a country like India
25.Every cloud has a silver lining
26.Should Animals be used for testing drugs and medicines?
27.Impact of movies on teenagers.
28.Rules are made to be broken.
29.Is Globalization really necessary?
30.Is T-20 Cricket killing real cricketing skills?
31.Should there be censorship on the media?
32.Co-education – good or bad?
33.Poverty in 3rd world countries is due to prosperity in 1st world countries
34.Impact of western culture on India.
35.Should we change our national game?
36.Privatization of higher education.
37.Eve-teasing – who is responsible?
38.Do we need education to become successful?
39.Is computerization causing unemployment?
40.Should Internet be censored?
41.Live-in relationship
42.Love marriage vs Arranged marriage
43.Vegetarianism
44.Reservation in promotions.
45.Are engineers doing MBA a national waste?
46.Effect of computers on society
47.Housewife vs working women
48.Television – an idiot box or a useful resource?
49.Should journalism be censored?
50.Cloning of humans – is it ethical?
51.Chinese goods vs Indian Goods
52.Coke and Pepsi should be driven out of India.

For more GD topics with answers visit Freshers Door ( www.freshersdoor.com)