Public Speaking & Debate Competitions for Kids in India
Debate and public-speaking competitions build the confidence to think on one's feet: debates, elocution, Model UN and oratory, from school level upward. WiWit lists 137 verified public speaking & debate in India from 107 organizations. They include options spanning Grade 1 to 12, 50 available online, 58 free to enter. Last reviewed July 2026.
Few skills serve a child for life like the ability to speak clearly and argue well under pressure. The listings here gather formal debates, elocution and public-speaking contests, Model United Nations conferences and other oratory events, for students across middle and senior school with some entry points for younger speakers. These competitions teach research, structure, listening and composure, and they look strong on any application. Formats vary from individual speeches to team debates and multi-day MUN simulations. WiWit verifies each listing against its official source and shows the format, mode and fee, so you can find a speaking opportunity that matches your child's confidence and grade.
Last reviewed:
Public Speaking & Debate Competitions for Kids in India at a glance
| Opportunity | Organizer | Eligibility | Mode | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program for Indian High School Students | U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) | Grade 8 to 11 | In-Person | Free |
| Greenheart Travel School-to-School Exchange Program | Greenheart Travel | Grade 9 to 12 | In-Person | $2,300 |
| Young Indians Parliament | CII Young Indians (Yi) | Grade 9 to 12 | Hybrid | ₹399 |
| Shastrarth National Youth Parliament & MUN | E-Justice India | Grade 6 to 12 | In-Person | ₹2,000 |
| Columbia Undergraduate Law Review High School Essay Contest | Columbia University Pre-College Programs | Grade 9 to 12 | Online | Free |
| The Big Chess Camp (Teach Chess India) | ChessBase India | Ages 0 to 100 | In-Person | Free |
| ISDS Masterclass Series | Indian Schools Debating Society (ISDS) | Grade 8 to 12 | Online | ₹1,500 |
| ISDS Debate Certification Course I | Indian Schools Debating Society (ISDS) | Grade 9 to 12 | Online | ₹15,000 |
| Yi Thalir - Young Indians School Programme | CII Young Indians (Yi) | Grade 1 to 12 | Hybrid | Free |
| Spin Your Science (SYS) - National Science Fiction Writing Competition | FAST India (Foundation for Advancing Science and Technology India) | Ages 4 to 25 | Online | Free |
| Milaan Girl Icon Fellowship Program | Milaan Foundation | Grade 7 to 12 | Hybrid | Free |
| Verbattle Kannada Debate Championship | Verbattle Foundation | Grade 7 to 12 | In-Person | Paid |
| KC Pullaiah Vidvatta Scholarship for Underprivileged Students | KC Pullaiah Foundation | Grade 10 to 12 | Online | Free |
| Breakthrough Junior Challenge - Science & Math Video Competition | Breakthrough Prize Foundation | Grade 8 to 12 | Online | Free |
| Ahmedabad Grand Challenges Programme | Ahmedabad University | Grade 10 to 12 | In-Person | ₹50,000 |
Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program for Indian High School Students
by U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA)
The YES Program offers Indian high school students a fully funded scholarship to live and study in the U.S. for an academic year, fostering cross-cultural understanding and leadership skills.
What your child could gain:
Greenheart Travel School-to-School Exchange Program
by Greenheart Travel
Reciprocal group exchange program where schools partner internationally for academic enrichment and cultural immersion
What your child could gain:
Young Indians Parliament
by CII Young Indians (Yi)
National civic leadership program where Class 9 to 12 students simulate parliamentary roles, debate national issues, and progress through chapter, regional, and national rounds.
What your child could gain:
Shastrarth National Youth Parliament & MUN
by E-Justice India
National Youth Parliament and MUN conference with cash prizes, gold medals, and committees for Classes 6-12 and college students
What your child could gain:
Columbia Undergraduate Law Review High School Essay Contest
by Columbia University Pre-College Programs
International essay contest by the Columbia Undergraduate Law Review for high school students, with the 2026 prompt focused on due process and immigration law.
What your child could gain:
The Big Chess Camp (Teach Chess India)
by ChessBase India
A free, walk-in chess camp for all ages and levels under the Teach Chess India mission, with self-paced worksheets and guided play.
What your child could gain:
ISDS Masterclass Series
by Indian Schools Debating Society (ISDS)
Expert-led sessions on global affairs topics for Grades 8-12, combining subject-matter knowledge with debate and critical thinking skills. Conducted online by ISDS trainers.
What your child could gain:
ISDS Debate Certification Course I
by Indian Schools Debating Society (ISDS)
A 12-module online WSDC debate training programme for Grades 9-12, with graded certification and a pathway to national team selections for top performers.
What your child could gain:
Yi Thalir - Young Indians School Programme
by CII Young Indians (Yi)
Year-long school engagement programme nurturing safe, inclusive, and responsible young citizens.
What your child could gain:
Spin Your Science (SYS) - National Science Fiction Writing Competition
by FAST India (Foundation for Advancing Science and Technology India)
Spin Your Science (SYS) is the signature science fiction writing competition of the India Science Festival, crafted to inspire the imaginations of students, researchers, and professionals.
What your child could gain:
Milaan Girl Icon Fellowship Program
by Milaan Foundation
Free 12-month fellowship by Milaan Foundation for girls aged 12–18 from UP, MP, Assam, and Karnataka, building community leadership skills with a monthly stipend from the SAP partnership.
What your child could gain:
Verbattle Kannada Debate Championship
by Verbattle Foundation
Multi-stage Kannada-language debate championship for school and college teams, held annually across Karnataka in a distinctive three-team parliamentary format.
What your child could gain:
KC Pullaiah Vidvatta Scholarship for Underprivileged Students
by KC Pullaiah Foundation
The KC Pullaiah Vidvatta Scholarship offers financial aid to economically disadvantaged students from Class 1 to PhD levels in Andhra Pradesh, awarded annually by the KC Pullaiah Foundation.
What your child could gain:
Breakthrough Junior Challenge - Science & Math Video Competition
by Breakthrough Prize Foundation
A prestigious global video competition for students aged 13-18 to creatively explain complex concepts in life sciences, physics, or mathematics.
What your child could gain:
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:
THIMUN MiniMUN: Introductory Model United Nations Conference
by THIMUN Foundation
Annual 1-day introductory Model United Nations conference held near The Hague, Netherlands, designed for students with limited prior MUN experience.
What your child could gain:
THIMUN Singapore International Model United Nations Conference
by THIMUN Foundation
Annual 5-day international Model United Nations conference held each October in Singapore for secondary school delegations from India and across Asia.
What your child could gain:
THIMUN The Hague International Model United Nations Conference
by THIMUN Foundation
Annual international Model United Nations conference held at the World Forum The Hague, drawing ~3,200 students from ~200 schools across 100+ countries.
What your child could gain:
National Science Drama Festival (Competition) by NCSM
by National Council of Science Museums (NCSM)
A national competition by NCSM for students to communicate scientific concepts through drama, fostering creativity and science communication skills.
What your child could gain:
Penn Arts and Sciences High School Programs
by University of Pennsylvania
A two-week residential forensic science academy at the University of Pennsylvania for 10th and 11th graders, covering DNA analysis, toxicology, and mock crime scene investigations.
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:
National Cadet Corps (NCC) Youth Development Program
by Ministry of Defence, Government of India
The National Cadet Corps (NCC) is a voluntary youth organization in India that instills discipline, leadership, and patriotism through military training, community service, and adventure activities for school and college students.
What your child could gain:
Future Blue Youth Council By Bow Seat
by Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs, Inc
The Future Blue Youth Council is an international group of young ocean advocates collaborating with Bow Seat to drive environmental change through creative action and leadership.
What your child could gain:
The Sanctuary Wildlife Awards - Young Naturalist Category
by Sanctuary Nature Foundation
Annual national recognition for young naturalists and wildlife conservationists, instituted by Sanctuary Nature Foundation in 2000.
What your child could gain:
Browse all 137 public speaking & debate
Competitions (69)
- AICEeCC - Audio
- AICEeCC - Video & Animation
- Astronomy Photographer of the Year - Skyscapes Category
- Best Delegate Model UN Conference
- BIEA International STEM Youth Innovation Competition
- BITS Pilani International Model United Nations (BITSMUN) Conference
- Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Poetry & Spoken Word Contest
- Breakthrough Junior Challenge - Science & Math Video Competition
- Cambridge Asia Schools British Parliamentary Championship (CASBPC) (Online)
- Cambridge Asia Schools British Parliamentary Championship (CASBPC) Offline
- Chegg.org Global Student Prize for Social Impact
- Columbia Undergraduate Law Review High School Essay Contest
- Community Projects Competition by FPSPI
- Conrad Challenge
- CREST English Olympiad (CEO)
- Dhai Akhar Letter Writing Competition – Inland Letter Card Category (ILC)
- Dhai Akhar National Level Letter Writing Competition – Envelope Category
- Dhirubhai Ambani International Model United Nations (DAIMUN) Conference
- FPSPI Storytelling Competition
- Frank Anthony Memorial All-India Inter-School Debate Competition
- Future Blue Youth Council By Bow Seat
- GEMA World Storytelling Competition for School Students
- Global Future Space Scholars Meet (GFSSM)
- Global Student Speaker Competition by GEMA
- Humming Bird Spelling Competition
- I CAN School Challenge by Design for Change
- Indian Debating League (IDL)
- Indian National Young Physicists' Tournament (INYPT)
- Indian Nationals Space Settlement Design Competition (INSSDC)
- Indian Schools Debating Championship (ISDC)
- IndiaSkills Junior - Graphic Design Competition
- Innopreneurs Junior Idea Innovation Olympiad
- International Competition for Young Debaters (ICYD) India Selection
- International Diplomatic Forum Model United Nations (IDFMUN) Online Conference
- International GENIUS Speech Olympiad by Terra Science and Education
- International Mock Trial (IMT) Online League
- International Public Speaking Competition (IPSC) by ESU
- International Research Olympiad (IRO)
- International Young Physicists’ Tournament (IYPT) - Physics World Cup
- Jhankriti Theatre Competition
- John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize - International Relations
- Kruu Play Innovation Challenge
- National AI Speech & Debate Championship for Indian Students
- National Cyber Security Reels/Shorts Competition by MeitY
- National Science Drama Festival (Competition) by NCSM
- National Student Innovation Challenge (NSIC)
- National Students' Science Seminar by NCSM
- NSS spUN Debate Program
- Ocean Awareness Digital Art Contest by Bow Seat
- Ocean Awareness Interactive & Multimedia Contest By Bow Seat
- School Innovation Marathon (SIM) - India's Largest Innovation Challenge
- Science In Focus (SIF) by FAST India
- Speech Debate India x Harvard Debate Council Championship Series
- Spin Your Science (SYS) - National Science Fiction Writing Competition
- TCS iON IntelliGem - National Contest for 21st Century Skills
- Technovation Girls Competition - Tech & Entrepreneurship for Girls
- The IEOM High School STEM Competition
- The Sanctuary Wildlife Awards - Young Naturalist Category
- The World Scholar's Cup - Team Debate Competition
- The World Scholar's Cup - Tournament of Champions at Yale University
- TSL International Student Competition - Sustainability
- Verbattle Kannada Debate Championship
- VIT Mathematical Poster Presentation Competition
- Wiz national Spell Bee by Extraschool
- Word Power Championship India
- World Schools Debating Championship (WSDC) Team India Selection
- YJI Photography - Photo Illustration
- YMUN South Asia
- Young Reporters for Environment (YRE) India Competition
Scholarships (5)
Programs (51)
- AFS Cultural Exchange Programs for Indian Students: Study Abroad & Global Immersion
- Ahmedabad Grand Challenges Programme
- Ashoka Young Changemakers (AYC) Program India
- Bala Janaagraha - Our City Our Challenge
- Best Delegate Model UN Clubs
- BeyondQuantum - Free Online Quantum Physics & Research Program
- Bharat Scouts and Guides (BSG) Youth Development Program
- Bow Seat's True Blue Fellowship
- CHEMUN — Chennai Model United Nations
- Duke of Edinburgh's International Award India
- Enabling Leadership Global Ambassador Program (ELGAP) for High School Students
- GenWise Pathfinders Program GSP
- GITAM Young Entrepreneurs Programme
- Global Citizen Year Fellowship
- Global Youth Leadership Academy (GYLA) Leadership Program
- Greenheart Travel School-to-School Exchange Program
- Harvard Model Congress Young Leadership Program
- Harvard Model United Nations India
- iChangeMyCity Challenge by Janaagraha
- IIM Ranchi Young Changemakers Programme
- IIMUN Youth Leadership Program
- India MUN National Conference
- Inquiry and Critical Thinking (ICT) Program for Grades 8-9
- International Award for Young People (IAYP)
- IPMUN Regional Model United Nations Conference
- Ivy League Model United Nations Conference India (ILMUNC India)
- Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program for Indian High School Students
- Kids for Tigers – The Sanctuary Tiger Programme
- Kishore Sabha
- LaunchX Online Entrepreneurship BootCamp for High School Students
- Milaan Girl Icon Fellowship Program
- Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS)
- MUNISH — Model United Nations International School of The Hague
- National Cadet Corps (NCC) Youth Development Program
- National Service Scheme (NSS) for Youth Development and Community Engagement
- NEIMUN Conference: Model UN for Youth Leaders in Northeast India
- Penn Arts and Sciences High School Programs
- RDIAS Global Summit MUN
- Rise Global Challenge for Young Leaders
- Shastrarth National Youth Parliament & MUN
- Student Police Cadet (SPC) Programme
- Summer at Doon Leadership Programme
- The Big Chess Camp (Teach Chess India)
- The Science Society by Infosys Science Foundation
- THIMUN MiniMUN: Introductory Model United Nations Conference
- THIMUN Singapore International Model United Nations Conference
- THIMUN The Hague International Model United Nations Conference
- WFUNA International Model United Nations (WIMUN)
- Yi Thalir - Young Indians School Programme
- YLAC High School Achievers (HSA) Program
- Young Indians Parliament
Workshops (5)
Camps (4)
Every public speaking & debate listing on WiWit is checked against the organizer's official source before it is published. See how WiWit verifies listings.
Frequently asked questions
- How many public speaking & debate are listed on WiWit?
- WiWit currently lists 137 verified public speaking & debate in India from 107 organizations. Each one is checked against the organizer's official source before it appears, and the list is kept up to date.
- Which grades can take part in public speaking & debate?
- The public speaking & debate listed here span students from Grade 1 to Grade 12. The comparison table shows the eligible grades for each listing, so you can scan for your child's grade.
- Can my child take part in public speaking & debate online?
- Public speaking & debate are available in multiple modes: 50 run online, 52 are in person, 35 offer both. The mode is shown on every listing, so children anywhere in India can find suitable options.
- Are there free public speaking & debate?
- Yes, 58 of the 137 public speaking & debate listed are free to enter. The fee for every listing is shown on its card, so you can compare cost at a glance.
- What is the difference between debate, elocution and MUN?
- Elocution and public speaking are prepared or extempore individual speeches; debate is a structured argument between sides; Model UN simulates international diplomacy over several days. All three are listed here. The type and format are shown on each card.
- Is public speaking suitable for shy children?
- Yes, it is often exactly what helps. Many events have beginner-friendly formats and age categories, and the structured nature of debate and elocution gives nervous speakers a clear framework. Start with a smaller contest and build up.