The Indian Debating League (IDL) successfully hosted the Harvard College Debating Union – Indian Team Qualifiers 2025 at Jayshree Periwal International School, Jaipur, setting a new milestone in India’s youth debating movement.

The three-day tournament witnessed over 200 debates, with 80+ teams and 700 participants competing in what has become one of the country’s largest debating events. The contest culminated in gripping quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals, drawing admiration from eminent guests including CarDekho co-founder Amit Jain and boAt co-founder Aman Gupta, who shared inspiring stories of communication, grit and innovation.

In the Open Category, Zaara Chinoy, Adyant Gupta, Arnav Singh and Aashi Bubna of The Cathedral and John Connon School, Mumbai emerged champions, securing direct entry to the final stage of the ISDS Indian Squad Selection and qualification for the Harvard WSDC 2026 in Massachusetts, USA.

The Open Category runners-up—Rabaani Mehra and Abana Dhillon (Invictus International School), Naisha Gupta and Vedika Babbar (Step by Step School, Noida), and Shree Radha Sanjay (Sri Sankara Senior Secondary School, Adyar)—also earned the opportunity to represent India at Harvard in 2026. In the Novice Category, Sohana Bhatia, Samarth Girotra and Mohisha Grover (Gyanshree School) claimed top honours and a place at Harvard 2026.

Several debaters, including Adyant Gupta, Siddhartha Manaktala, Ishaan Bajaj, Shree Radha Sanjay and Anaaya Kanchan, were recognised as Best Speakers, advancing to the ISDS India Squad intermediate selection. Quarter-finalists from The Cathedral and John Connon School and Sunbeam English School, Bhagwanpur earned the chance to represent India at the Shanghai WSDC Open 2025.

Founder & CEO of IDL, Anjali Tiwary, said the tournament was about more than winning. “Our debaters didn’t just withstand pressure – they grew stronger because of it. That is the true victory IDL gives to India’s youth,” she remarked.

The event also featured a masterclass by Atul R.H., ISDS Team India Manager, who guided students with insights that helped India secure its historic victory at WSDC 2025 in Panama. Parents and participants alike emphasised the life lessons of resilience and growth the league nurtures.

With IDL announcing IDL 5.0 and preparations underway for Asia’s largest debating tournament in 2026, India’s youth debate movement looks set for a dynamic global future.

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