MBA programs have a critical component of the selection process Group Discussions (GD) which assess candidates on various parameters such as communication skills, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving ability, and general awareness. For Candidates it is important to score well in the entrance exam, as well as in the GD/PI round. Top MBA colleges in India (IIMs and non-IIMs place a lot of emphasis on GD for the selection process and have the potential and temperament to be good business leaders.
GD for MBA admissions typically involves a group of candidates discussing one of the MBA GD topics or case studies for around 15-20 minutes. Five minutes are given to prepare trending GD topics before the discussion. During the discussion, panellists observe speakers of spoken English, confidence, clarity of thoughts, ability to present an argument convincingly, and leadership qualities to succeed as a business manager or an administrator. GD Topics for MBA include topics from social issues, business, economy, finance, and current affairs, abstract and hot GD topics for MBA, or events from the last five years. The Group Discussion and Written Ability Test rounds of top B-Schools typically begin in February and go on till August. MBA aspirants must prepare for current and trending GD topics for the MBA interview. The GD/WAT/PIs at top B-Schools are tough to crack to pursue an MBA.
After debating on the MBA group discussion topic, candidates are evaluated based on content relevance, clarity of expression, persuasiveness, and the ability to contribute meaningfully by forming strong opinions to the discussion. Panelists observe the MBA GD and score participants based on predetermined parameters, helping determine their suitability for the MBA program.
Candidates can expect the following types of Group Discussion (GD) Topics for MBA admissions. After the results of the MBA entrance exams, qualified candidates have to clear the GD and/or Written Ability Test (WAT) rounds.
As per experts' insights, the following can be the GD topics for MBA admission rounds:
In most of the MBA Group Discussions, topics are given from Current Affairs, related to social and economic surroundings. Given below are some of the most popular current group discussion topics for MBA admission.
Group Discussion (GD) Topics on Current Affairs |
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Electoral Bonds: Fair or Unfair |
18th Lok Sabha Elections |
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Russia-India-USA ties |
EVs and future |
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Athletics regaining popularity and support in India |
Inclusion of women soldiers in combat troops |
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Government crackdown on OTT Platforms |
US Passes Bill to Ban TikTok |
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Uniform Code of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) |
India World’s Largest Arms Importer: SIPRI Report |
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Emergence of India as an economic power |
Budget 2024 |
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India should be made a permanent member in the UN |
Over-dependence on AI |
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Dangers of bio-warfare |
Gun culture in the USA |
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India's successful landing on the Moon |
ISRO launches Aditya-L1, India's first solar mission |
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Inclusion of African Union in G20 |
ChatGPT: Dangers of plagiarism |
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One Nation One Election |
India Overtakes China in Population. Future Ramifications |
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Caste-based census |
Should BCCI invest more in Women's cricket? |
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CHAT GPT- Pros and Cons |
Vande Bharat Express |
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Indian Unicorns |
Agni path Scheme |
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Moonlighting: Ethical or Unethical |
5G Telecom Services in India |
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BHIM: Making India Cashless |
Reducing Carbon Emission and the Role of Developing Countries |
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COVID-19 Nasal Vaccine |
Tech Layoffs |
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Women's Reservation Bill passed by Parliament |
European Union's role in Ukraine-Russia conflict |
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India as the G20 host |
Taliban Rule and Women's Education in Afghanistan |
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Twitter and Free Speech |
Social Media's Role in Politics and Regime Change |
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Metaverse and Future |
Population Control Bill |
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Uniform Civil Code |
Tata taking over Air India |
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Ukraine-Russia Conflict |
US Inflation |
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Inflation Heat in Europe |
Cryptocurrency |
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Ayodhya and Religious Tourism |
India's Performance in Olympics 2020 |
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Repealing of Farm Bills |
Farmers' Protest and MSP |
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Indo-Russia Relations |
Taliban Takeover of Afghanistan |
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Will AI replace or assist humans |
Is Climate Change a Hoax |
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Online Education is here to stay |
Is gender equality desirable or a burden |
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Bio-war and bio-weapons new means of world supremacy |
World post COVID-19 |
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Indian vaccines vs foreign vaccines |
Jal Jeevan Mission |
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Coronavirus: Impact on Global Economy |
Importance of the Statue of Unity |
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COVID-19: Importance on Spending on Public Health |
COVID-19: How India fared in fighting coronavirus compared to developed countries |
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Is social distancing the new world order? |
Online education, work from home: Have we arrived in the virtual world |
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Nationwide lockdown to flatten the COVID-19 curve: Dent on Economy |
Coronavirus and lockdown has exposed social inequality in modern India |
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Citizenship Amendment Act - What and Why |
How will the Abrogation of Article 370 improve the situation in Kashmir? |
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Should there be a limit to Media Freedom? |
Why Individual Data Privacy is important? |
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Is Trump creating a World Trade War? |
Will companies benefit from the Companies Amendment Bill? |
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Discuss about Union Budget India 2022-23 |
Discounts on E-commerce websites are harmful in the end |
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How beneficial is the IIM 2017 bill for students? |
Is postponing the presentation date of the General Budget a good decision? |
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Is India ready for electric vehicles? |
Will De-Nuclearisation Instill World Peace? |
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Will fake news kill the Social Fiber of India if unchecked? |
Can India afford to spend a fortune on projects like Mission to MARS? |
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Is it still too early for India to have bullet trains? |
Making Aadhaar mandatory is not a good idea- for or against |
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The implications of State Assembly elections at the national level? |
Is the banning of Pakistani artists from India justified? |
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Medicare: Will it be an affordable healthcare project? |
Implications of CAA-NCR |
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Doklam Standoff |
Farm Bill Amendment -The new agricultural bill |
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Atmanirbhar Bharat: Call for self-reliance |
NEP: The new education policy |
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Free Speech is an excuse to polarize |
Chadrayaan-2 mission |
In group discussion on abstract topics is to judge a candidate's ability to think beyond the obvious. Given below are some of the most oft-discussed abstract topics of GD rounds of MBA admission.
Group Discussion (GD) on Abstract Topics |
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Hard Work vs. smart Work |
How important is it to be patient in Business and Management? |
Work-Life Balance is a Myth |
Building Strategies Vs Execution |
Self-Motivation |
The first impression is the last |
Change is the only constant |
Leader Vs Follower |
Friends, Enemies, or Frenemies? |
Innovation Vs Invention |
Ethics or Profit? |
Freedom: A Myth? |
Thoughts on the Me Too Campaign |
Do we need more entrepreneurs than managers? |
Can failures teach you important lessons in life? |
Women are better multi-taskers- agree or disagree? |
Topics from Business and Economy are often used to check the confidence of the candidate's real interest and aptitude. Given below are some of the most popular and recent GD topics from Business and Economy for MBA admission.
Group Discussion (GD) Topics on Business & Economy |
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Will reduced Goods & Services Tax (GST) help the Indian economy grow faster? |
How is the falling rupee impacting the Indian economy? |
How capable is India of leading the Solar Energy and wind Energy revolution? |
Cashless Economy – Is India ready for it? |
Is an MBA necessary to be Successful in Business? |
Should the Indian economy be privatized? |
Can India become a $5 trillion economy by 2024? |
Blockchain Technology – Pros & Cons |
Views on Bitcoin/Cryptocurrency |
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the retail sector is good for India- agree or disagree? |
Ways in which Technology is impacting the Banking sector |
Agriculture Vs Manufacturing Industry in India |
How can we control banking fraud to reduce NPAs? |
Minimum Support Price: Is it a Political gimmick? |
Is Globalization an Opportunity or a Threat? |
How will the deal between Walmart and Flipkart impact the Indian Economy? |
Will India be able to double Farmers’ Income in the next 5 years? |
Is ‘Startup India’ Boosting Entrepreneurship |
India V/s China: Will India remain way behind China? |
How beneficial is the merger of Public Sector Banks? |
Make in India campaign |
High Deficit Financing V/s high interest rates: Can both go together? |
Will RERA restore the trust of homebuyers? |
Should Business Lobbying be made legal in India? |
Demonetization: Discuss its Success & failures |
Views on YONO |
Is Corruption in the Economy the root cause for the Indian Economic slowdown? |
Views on Merging the General & Railway Budget |
Statue of Unity - Symbol of Pride or Wastage of Public Money? |
Will Automation and Artificial Intelligence reduce or increase Jobs? |
Surcharge on Income Tax (IT) for the Super-Rich |
All You Need to Know about Right to Information |
Given below are some of the latest GD topics on social issues for MBA admission.
Group Discussion (GD) Topics on Social Issues |
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Success of the Swachh Bharat Mission |
Smart City Project – How useful will they be? |
Social Media: A boon or a bane for the society? |
Is Net Neutrality essential to make India Digital? |
Will Beti Bachao Beti Padhao abolish the orthodox mindset? |
Crime against women |
Views on Retirement Homes |
Views on Climate Change Summit |
Does Browsing at the Workplace affect productivity? |
Should the national anthem be played in cinema halls? |
Rural vs Urban India |
Environment and us |
Does India need a uniform civil code- For or against? |
Give views on the present system of education in our country |
The Current affairs topics for GD 2024 are based on national or international political development, Policies and issues that are highly debated in the media
1. Sustainable Development Goals: India ranked 120th; Does Sustainable Development hampers Industrial Growth and Economy |
2. Tata takes over Air India |
3. Farm Laws Repealed: PM MODI withdraws the three farm laws |
4. Coal Crisis in India: Key Facts, Reasons, How to Overcome? |
5. Gati Shakti Master Plan: Will it Boost Economic Growth? |
6. Central Vista Redevelopment: Beneficial for Future or Waste of Money |
7. Is India a Failing State? Opinions Vs Facts |
8. India - the Pharmacy Capital of the World? |
9. National Education Policy 2020 – Impact on Higher Education Sector |
10. E-Learning: A Substitute for Classroom Learning? Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Learning |
11. Chinese App Banned in India – Pros and Cons |
12 Lock Down: Will it check Coronavirus spread in India? |
13. Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019: What, Why, When, and Whom; Relationship with NRC explained |
14. Article 370 Abrogation: Correcting old folly or thrusting nationalistic agenda? |
15. Single-Use Plastic Ban? |
16. One Nation One Election: Benefits are more for India |
17. EVMs vs. paper Ballots: Which one is Better to Use? |
18. Fake News will kill the Social Fiber of India unless checked |
19. Modicare: Affordable healthcare or a pipe dream? |
20. Bullet Train: Does India need it? |
21. Mission to MARS: Can India afford to spend a fortune on such projects? |
22. Linking of Aadhaar: Is making Aaadhar mandatory a good idea? |
23. Delhi Air Pollution: Man-made Crisis or Fall Out of Industrialization? |
24. Chandrayaan 2: A failed mission or a stepping stone for future glory? |
25. Global Climate Crisis: India Leadership |
26. US Trade Policy: Is it creating a World Trade War? |
27. US Trade Policy: Is it creating a World Trade War? |
28. Is A Borderless World Practically Impossible? |
29. Hong Kong Protests: Rebel against China or pro-democracy fight? |
30. US-China Trade Talks: A political drama or renegotiation of rules of the game? |
These above are only a few topics MBA Candidates are encouraged to stay updated with the latest updates and events nationally and Internationally to effective discussion in GD |
. Given below are some of the GD topics for MBAs asked in IIMs and non-IIMs.
MBA GD Topic |
Area |
B-schools |
Due to COVID-19, the education industry has seen many new startups. Discuss how this affected everyone positively or negatively? |
Social/Economic |
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Only 1% of India’s population pays income tax. As the tax base hasn’t grown over the year, should the government look to other sources of income? If yes, where? |
Economic |
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Can Government schools be developed so that they can give quality education or such a case is not possible at all. |
Education |
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An IITian working at Google has come up with an idea to make schooling online |
Education |
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Is introducing bullet trains in India a good idea |
Business |
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Caste-based reservations are impediments on building a caste-less society’. |
Social Issue |
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Encounter of Hyderabad rapists justified or not |
Social Issue |
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An IITian working at Google has come up with an idea to make schooling online |
Education |
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Is introducing bullet trains in India a good idea |
Business & Economy |
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Caste-based reservations are impediments on building a caste-less society |
Social Issue |
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Ban of additional homework given to students from school to be done at home |
Education |
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Poverty in India: Facts, Causes, Effects, Solution |
Business & Economy |
IIMs |
Indian Economy in 2018-19: Performance & Policies of Modi Regime |
Business & Economy |
IIMs |
Agriculture Role in India and Subsidies: Problems & Challenges |
Business & Economy |
IIMs |
Women Empowerment & Gender Justice: Addressing the Equality Challenges |
Social Issue |
IIMs |
End of Globalization/ De-Globalization/ Nationalization |
Business & Economy |
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Climate Change/Pollution |
Social Issue |
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Retirement Homes: Do the advantages of living in them outweigh the disadvantages? |
Social Issue |
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Social Media: Impact on human behaviour and society |
Social Issue |
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Impact of Technology on Jobs |
Current Affairs |
MDI Gurgaon, CAP process for New IIMs |
Me Too campaign |
Current Affairs |
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Crypto Currency/ Bitcoin |
Current Affairs |
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Banking Scams |
Current Affairs |
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Mars Mission for India Justified? |
Current Affairs |
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Shortage of Open Spaces and Playgrounds Lead to Negative Tendencies in Children |
Social Issue |
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Knowledge is the biggest asset you can accumulate |
Abstract Topic |
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Is India Ready for a Cashless Economy? |
Business & Economy |
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Travelling: Helps in Generating Ideas and Experiential Learning |
Social Issue |
CAP process for New IIMs |
Zero |
Abstract Topic |
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Death Penalties for Perpetrators of Crime Against Women. Is it Justified? |
Social Issue |
The best and most common study materials for GD topics are the newspapers and magazines of current affairs such as Outlook, Frontline, etc, several GD preparation materials are available online or on social media platforms. It is best to maintain a journal and chronicle the details to present relevant and analytical points during the GD.
Topics |
B-School |
Cultural diversity impedes democratic governance |
IIM Lucknow |
End of Globalization/ De-Globalization/ Nationalization |
IIM Bangalore, IIM Lucknow, MDI Gurgaon |
All decisions in a democracy should be taken through referendums |
IIM Lucknow |
The changing role of women actors in Bollywood |
IIM CAP |
Climate Change/Pollution |
IIM Bangalore, IIM Trichy, TISS Mumbai |
Mars Mission for India Justified? |
MDI Gurgaon |
The issues in the Indian Education sector |
MDI Gurgaon |
Sustainable Development in India |
DMS, IIT Delhi |
Zero |
XLRI |
Retirement Homes: Do the advantages of living in them outweigh the disadvantages? |
TAPMI, IIM Indore |
Space research projects are a waste of money |
IIM Lucknow |
Are conventional retail stores competing with the E-commerce market and what can be the possible future? |
IIM CAP |
Have coaching institutes in India just become a source of business? |
IIFM Bhopal |
Social Media: Impact on human behaviour and society |
IIM Ranchi, IIM Ahmedabad |
India’s diplomatic ties with China |
IMI Delhi |
Can technology help in preventing Money Laundering? |
Great Lakes Institute of Management, Gurgaon |
Sports and its benefits |
DMS, IIT Delhi |
Development alternatives for the rural economy |
IIFM Bhopal |
mpact of technology on Jobs |
MDI Gurgaon, CAP process for New IIMs |
Indians are good at being second best but not first |
MDI Gurgaon |
#Me too campaign |
IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Calcutta |
Travelling: Helps in Generating Ideas and Experiential Learning |
CAP process for New IIMs |
Loose lips sink ships |
IIM Lucknow |
Centralization of Indian Public Sector Oil companies will be a boon |
IIM Lucknow |
Although the group discussion topics for the MBA can range from current affairs to technologies, sports, and education, the majority of questions are based on current affairs. It is, therefore, recommended that the candidates are always updated on the important and major events across the nation and worldwide.
Aspirants can check the pointers below to know the best approach to enter a group discussion for MBA successfully:
Ques: What is the importance of Group Discussions (GD) in MBA admissions?
Ans: Group Discussions (GD) are a critical component of the MBA selection process, assessing candidates on communication skills, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving ability, and general awareness.
Ques: How can I prepare effectively for GD topics for MBA admissions?
Ans: To prepare effectively, stay updated on current affairs, practice discussing various topics, work on your communication skills, and participate in mock group discussions.
Ques: What types of topics are commonly given in GD for MBA admissions?
Ans: Common GD topics include current affairs, business and economy, social issues, abstract topics, and recent national and international events.
Ques: What qualities do panelists look for during a Group Discussion?
Ans: Panelists look for clarity of thought, confidence, leadership qualities, the ability to present arguments convincingly, teamwork, and effective communication skills.
Ques: How should I structure my arguments in a Group Discussion?
Ans: Structure your arguments logically, starting with an introduction, followed by key points supported by examples or data, and conclude with a summary of your stance.