Group Discussion Topics for MBA admissions

B-Schools tend to be very careful and extensive about their MBA Selection procedures. One of the main reasons for this is that each batch that graduates from the college is under a huge amount of scrutiny to find out if they match the expectation about the college itself. Therefore, it is extremely important for each candidate to show the B-Schools that they are as close to the finished product as possible.

One of the stages in the MBA Selection procedure that is followed by most of the top B-Schools is the Group Discussion. The Group Discussion (GD) is an important selection parameter in the final admission round for top B-schools. Most of the best B schools including some of the IIMs, XLRI and MDI conduct GD along with Personal Interview in the final admission round.

Thus, it is important to be as prepared as possible for the Group Discussion Round. One of the major modes of preparation in the Group Discussion Round depends on identifying and preparing for as many Group Discussion topics as possible. The preparation for various Group Discussion topics has a two-fold benefit. It helps in harnessing information that can be used as well as develops the mindset required to analyze the Group Discussion topics.

There could be different types of Group Discussion topics which we have classified below under four broad fields:

Business & Economy - These topics are focused on the current trends in business, economic policies, and their impact globally or nationally.
Current Affairs - These topics are based on the latest happening and how it could affect businesses and business decisions.
Social Issues - The topics are extremely important for B-Schools as the focus on ethics has sharpened with recent controversies.
Abstract - These are topics which depend completely on the candidate's ability to think on their feet.

These are majorly the Group Discussion topics that are tested in the MBA Selection procedures. It is by no means, exhaustive list but it represents a starting point in terms of the Group Discussion topics to begin the Group Discussion Preparation.

Business and Economy: Latest Group Discussion Topics

Some Group Discussion Topics about Business and Economy are given below. Candidates would be well advised to go through the list and make a list of points that come to mind thinking about the topic. Following this, the candidates should research about the topic and some adjoining topics to build a good knowledge base in these topics.

Merging the General and Railway Budget will save exchequer from unnecessary spending.
Will Indian economy grow faster with reduced Goods & Services Tax (GST)?
High interest rates and deficit financing cannot go together
Is FDI in retail good or bad for India?
Social security in India
GST - Pros and Cons
Are MNCs colonizing the Indian market?
Ease of doing business in India - Does it really exist?
Should business lobbying be made legal in India?
Corruption is the root cause for Indian Economy slowdown
"Make in India" - will the idea make India a manufacturing hub?
Steve Jobs: The biggest icon of the 20th century?
Should there be Reservation in private sector jobs?
Demonetization 2016 in India adversely impacted Indian Economy.

Some of the topics may be slightly more open such as the topic about Steve Jobs mentioned above. These topics allow the candidates to express themselves completely although the crux of the argument should always be about business.

Current Affairs: Latest Group Discussion Topics

Managers are expected to remain up to date with the latest happenings which could affect the business. Therefore, it is important to be knowledgeable about the latest happenings and how it could affect different businesses. These Group Discussion topics can be quite tricky if the candidate is not aware of the context giving the candidate more incentives to remain on top of the current affairs.

No subsidy regime would propel the wheel of growth
Man on Moon or Food for Man?
E-commerce discounts are harmful in long run
Should Pakistani artists be banned from working in India?
Global Warming
Intellectual Property Rights Issues in India
War, not dialogue, will end Kashmir crisis
Making Aadhar mandatory is not a good idea

Social Issues: Latest Group Discussion Topics

Over the course of a group discussion, people tend to express their true point of view regardless of what they started with. This point is even more important in the Group Discussion topics related to social issues. Group Discussions about these types of topics are generally allowed to be somewhat free-wheeling such that the candidates can express their true points of view.

Law should be an instrument of Social Change
Social activism is necessary for survival of democratic society
India needs a uniform civil code
"Facebook": Socialization to degradation of society.
Naxalism: The biggest internal security problem.
The Growing Menace of Casteism And Regionalism.
Difficulties in implementation of Climate Change Summit Resolutions
Net Neutrality is essential to Digital India
Cricket: Overpowering other sports in India.
News channels - breaking rules to give breaking news.
Smart City Project will give wings to growth
Gender bias in portraying women in advertisements

Abstract: Latest Group Discussion Topics

There are some Group Discussion topics which are asked simply to check the candidate’s ability to think on their feet. These abstract group discussion topics may seem rather random but may have some management angle to them that the candidates are expected to draw from the topic itself.

Shahrukh Khan: Brilliant Actor or Marketing Guru?
Brevity is the soul of wit.
A common currency for Asia. Is it possible?
Red is red, blue is blue and never the two shall meet.
It was a bright, cold day in April and the clocks were striking thirteen.

Conclusion

It is important for candidates to have some idea about the group discussion topics that can possibly be asked before the Group Discussion Preparation truly starts. This represents the real first step in the Group Discussion Preparation as the Group Discussion topics give you an idea about the way in which the candidate is supposed to think.

Out of the all the types of Group Discussion topics, the abstract group discussion topics are generally considered to be the most difficult. The reason for this is obvious, the sheer unpredictability of the Group Discussion topics in the abstract group discussion causes the candidates to depend entirely on the candidate’s ability to think on their feet.

Several colleges are also moving towards case study-based Group Discussion topics. These types of Group Discussions help in identifying candidates who are quick in grasping and analyzing information apart from the communication skill which is tested in all types of Group Discussions.