Science Debate
Science Debate is organised every year by the Directorate of Education, Government of NCT of Delhi, to provide students with a platform to examine contemporary scientific issues through reasoning, evidence, and informed discussion. The activity encourages students to move beyond the mere acquisition of scientific facts and develop the ability to analyse an issue from different perspectives, construct evidence-based arguments, and communicate their ideas with clarity and confidence.
Through the Science Debate, the Directorate of Education seeks to nurture scientific temperament, curiosity, independent thinking and responsible communication among students. By researching a scientific issue, evaluating evidence, considering opposing viewpoints, and presenting a reasoned position to an audience, students experience science as a field of enquiry and discussion.
The competition is organised for students of Classes IX to XII studying in all the Government, Government Aided and Private Unaided recognised schools under the Directorate of Education, GNCT of Delhi.
Topic of Science Debate 2026-27: “Nuclear Energy — Boon or Bane”
The Last Date of Registration is: 17.08.2026
In the Science Debate, students present their arguments either in favour of or against the given topic. Each participant is given a maximum of six minutes to present his/her arguments and views.
At the School Level, schools conduct the Science Debate among students of classes 9th to 12th and select two students — one to speak “in favour” and one to speak “against” the topic — for participation at the Zonal Level. The selected students subsequently progress through a structured competitive process from the Zonal Level to the Science Centre Level and finally to the State Level, providing deserving participants with an opportunity to represent their schools on progressively wider platforms.
For the participation of the students at zonal level Science Debate competition, all the HoSs of schools under DoE, GNCT of Delhi need to conduct Science Debate for students (class 9th to 12th) in their School and to select only two students (one for “in favour” and one for “against”) to register them online through the link given above.
Schools willing to participate can register themselves with the details of selected students through the above link only. All zonal conveners will organize the Science Debate for all the registered school under their jurisdiction as per schedule notified by the department. Thereafter, the Zonal Conveners send the details of selected students for the 1st and 2nd position (from both: favour and against) to their respective Science Centre. Further, the Science Centres organize the Science Debate for selected students at the zonal level and subsequently send the details of students selected for 1st and 2nd position to the Science Branch for further participation at State Level.
Participants are evaluated on a comprehensive set of criteria carrying a total of 100 marks as given below:
Sr. No. | Criteria | Maximum Marks |
1 | Scientific Reasoning/Facts | 25 |
2 | Content/Substance | 25 |
3 | Oratory Skills/Fluency | 20 |
4 | Clarity of Thought | 20 |
5 | Confidence | 10 |
Total | 100 | |