engage your Grade 2-12 gifted child online with debate
critical thinking creativity collaboration
U.S. COACHING FOR GIFTED CHILDREN:
Learn directly from our Founder – two time U.S. State Debate Champion and Stanford University alumnus, Rajiv Kacholia. Read about our Founder's background and why he has brought this exciting social impact initiative for high achieving students in India, by clicking here.
Join gifted students already participating in Speech and Debate India's high energy, live online classes, practices, and small group competitive team debates! We leverage technology to deliver an exciting, personal experience. We limit debates to small groups and every child has a speaking role within debates to express their evidenced-based views. We have limited seats and this is a competitive activity - please review the FAQs below and sign-up to engage your child socially and intellectually.
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Select up to 5 intensive two week Summer Course program tracks. Each track is Rs. 14,900+GST and includes 20 hours of live sessions over two weeks. Sign-up per your child's convenience and interests.
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Grades 4-12, Summer Course Program Tracks & Debate Topics:
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Healthcare & Disease [SOLD OUT]
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​April 6th - April 17th​
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Global Leadership [SOLD OUT]
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​April 20th - May 1st​
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Reimagining Our World [NEW]
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​May 11th - May 22nd​
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Environment & Climate Change [LIMITED SEATS]
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​June 15th - June 26th
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Business & Entrepreneurship
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​June 29th - July 10th
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Technology & Artificial Intelligence
- ​July 13th - July 24th​
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Custom - Select 10 Sessions
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​​Example: Mondays or Tues/Wed or 1 week across multiple tracks. Inquire here.
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Grades 4-12, Divisions and Times:​
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Elementary School (ES) - grades 4-5, Monday - Friday, daily, 4-6pm
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Middle School (MS) - grades 6-8, Monday - Friday, daily, 6-8pm
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High School (HS) - grades 9-12, Monday - Friday, daily, 6-8pm
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Grades 2-4, Young Explorers Course [LIMITED SEATS]
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​Maggi versus Macaroni, Peanut Butter versus Jelly, and other debates in Food, Space Exploration, Sports, and Technology
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​May 6th - June 2nd
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Watch a 3 minute video clip further below on this page
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Daily Monday - Friday, 20 sessions of 1 hour each, 2:45pm - 3:45pm
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Limited seats, Signup to reserve space for this special program. Seats will be allocated on a first come basis upon payment receipt - priced at Rs. 14,900 + GST
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Grades 2-4, Divisions and Times:​
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Young Explorers (YE) - grades 2-4, Monday - Friday, daily 2:45-3:45pm (see details further below, under "Customized Courses")
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Our Unique Approach - This is not an elocution class, and we don't write or memorize essays. Debate is fun, competitive, and we help advanced kids expand how they think critically about topics beyond their grade level. Students gradually gain confidence to speak out, starting with smaller groups where they collaborate with teammates. Students research evidence and data under time pressure, and we look for structured position outlines to be prepared faster, enhancing writing speed, information processing, and decision making. Review our Benefits section for academic research on why there is no academic activity that can train young minds in the four C's as well as long-term participation in Debate. See FAQs at the bottom of this page for more details.
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Demo Courses - Apply Here to be waitlisted for 5, one hour demo sessions in May at Rs. 5,000 + GST.
Sample Video: Watch a video clip of some of our older students from a recent debate on postponing the Olympics due to Coronavirus:​
Sample Video: Watch a video clip of some of our Young Explorer students debating fun topics like Amusement Parks, Homework, and Superheroes! See how they react when Mr. Kacholia teases them about not picking a winner...
PARENT REFERENCES:
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"We are really thankful to you and your team members for engaging children in this tough time. My child is really enjoying your session." - Parent, Ahemdabad.
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"The session was quite interactive. My child liked it." - Parent, Gurgaon.
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"Just pass on my message to Mr. Kacholia... It was really wonderful interaction. I was hearing the way he was analysing every aspect related to the child. Very impressive. It will also help the kids to analyse themselves." - Parent, Gurgaon.
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"Thanks for organising this. Kudos to you and team." - Parent, Mumbai.
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"Thank you so much! They're so excited about this class, and we couldn't have asked for a better teacher." - Parent, Mumbai.
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"This is so interesting. What an awesome idea to make a solid contribution. Such a great thing for a child!" - Parent, Mumbai
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CUSTOMIZED COURSES:
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Young Explorers (Grades 2-4) Special Course - MAY 6th - JUNE 2nd​
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Maggi versus Macaroni and more fun debates!
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​May 6th - June 2nd, daily, Monday - Friday, 2:45pm to 3:45pm
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20, one hour daily sessions course for Rs. 14,900 + GST
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A special 4 week live Zoom online course for one hour per weekday starting Wednesday, May 6th to Tuesday June 2nd that introduces newly enrolling younger students to debate using our unique approach.
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Debate topics are fun and relatable to help students become comfortable with our format. Students in this special introductory program will discuss and debate these topics: Food, Space Exploration, Sports, and Technology.
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This course is designed to help younger kids comfortable and started through shorter one-hour sessions with instruction, time to collaborate with teams, and engage in debate games in a smaller group setting live online.
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Select the "Young Explorers May 6 - June 2" option on the sign-up form - Register here.
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SAT Test Prep, 1 on 1 custom 10 session course to raise your SAT English and Math scores. This private course is taught by a perfect scorer in SAT Math and near-perfect scorer in SAT English. Includes evaluation of a full diagnostic test plus customized plan for 10 hours of private, 1 on 1 Zoom instruction and practice test homework assignments for Rs. 30,000 + GST. Score at your peak potential. Inquire here.
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SAT Approach? We help students understand how the College Board structures and formulates problems. Every question on the SAT has one and only one correct answer. There are no "trick questions". We work personally with each student and customize learning to help shift how they approach the test and think like the SAT examination preparers. We also work to bridge gaps in areas that we identify after students take a diagnostic full SAT test. Before the first one hour of sessions begin, we build a custom plan for your success! We will never use your session time to administer SAT Tests. Instead, our approach is to use each hour of personal session time productively reviewing questions, answers, skill gaps and strategies and assigning homework to target growth in each subsequent class. Classes may be scheduled once or twice a week.
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Speech and Debate Personal Consultations - 1 on 1 customized sessions over Zoom. Inquire on WhatsApp.
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We are Speech Debate India!
GLOBAL & National AI Speech & debate championship!
SDI official partneR - Join the Global competition!
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COMPETE AT A LOCAL, REGIONAL & NATIONAL LEVEL TO ADVANCE TO THE GLOBAL ROUND!
Speech Debate India is a proud partner of the AI Public Speaking & Debate Championship 2025, where thousands of students from ages 8 to 22 competing in age level divisions will be evaluated. Students will be recognized with awards at a Local, Regional & National level in India and neighboring countries, for a chance to advance to represent India at the Global Tournament Finals in Spring 2025!
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Why should you participate?
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Complimentary entry
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Debate AI's future with a thought-provoking topic
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Learn to collaborate with a partner to formulate your essay submission
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Gain familiarity with important AI applications
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Students recognized at a Local, Regional & National level in 2025
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All entries will receive Certificates
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Opportunity to advance with Speech Debate India to compete in the Global Round March 2025
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Students advancing to the Global Round will be evaluated by AI industry-leading judges from MIT, Harvard, Stanford, UCLA, Berkeley, Cambridge, OpenAI, IBM, NVIDIA, and more!
Free Resources for Teachers and Student Ambassadors for Debate:
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Empowering teachers and debate club leaders to support their students and peers
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Understanding the competition rubric and evaluation criteria
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Strategies for age-appropriate mentoring for students.
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Access to exclusive resources and recordings for ongoing learning.
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Contact us for free training resources if you are a:
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teacher helping students understanding essay/video guidelines for the competition or
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student promoting debate in your school/community.
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What to expect?
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Format: Self-study, working with a friend or classmate for the essay competition and individually for the video contest. Assistance / guidance from teachers / parents / student ambassadors is allowed but the final work product should be solely that of the students.
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Ages 8-22: Tournament features 6 different age-based divisions.
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Debate Essay Entries: Maximum word count varies by age (see details below). Work with a partner to develop a well-researched essay on the designated AI-related debate topic for your age.
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​​Public Speaking Video Entries: Duration of upto 4 minutes, shot as a single-take, unedited video recording. Submit a well-researched speech on the designated AI-related debate topic below for your age. It does not need to be memorized.
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Can I enter both: Yes, you can participate in both the essay and video competitions!​
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Geographies: Students based in India, East Asia, the Middle East and Africa can join for a chance to be awarded at a regional and national level and advance to the global round!​
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Use of AI: Yes, students are permitted to use as much or as little AI as they wish to help prepare their essays and video content. It's important that students learn to understand both the benefits and limitations of AI, and are welcome to experiment.
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Deadline: Sunday, February 23rd, 2025.
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How to submit: Both partners should complete the form and upload their Essay to Google Drive. Students submitting a Video should upload it to Google Drive (note that videos should be compressed to under 100MB). Submit the Google Drive links by February 23rd, 2025 - Click here to submit your link(s) on the Submission Form!
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Debate Topics:
Below are the topics for each age group. For the essay and/or video, pick a side for or against the debate resolution and explain the selected position in an essay/video. All videos can be upto 4 minutes. Essay maximum word count varies by age group as listed below.​
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Ages 8-9: Children should be allowed to have robot pets (500 word essay)
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Ages 10-11: Students should be able to use generative AI in school (1,000 word essay)
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Ages 12-13: Students should be able to use generative AI in school (1,500 word essay)
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Ages 14-15: AI developments will reduce global poverty (2,000 word essay)
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Ages 16-18: AI developments will reduce global poverty (2,000 word essay)
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Ages 19-22: (a) AI will enhance human flourishing [or students can pick] (b) Frontier AI models should be open source (2,500 word essay)
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Submit your entry to the world's largest AI Public Speaking and Debating Championship today!
Meet our founder & GC, FC Coach
​​​"For parents, U.S. Speech and Debate empowers children with tools for becoming confident, life-long learners, with essential skills like collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity, that they can leverage for success as future leaders."
Home of international Champions!
Speech Debate India student Shivani Shrotri WINS THE USA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!!!
Speech Debate India student Shivansh Gupta WINS 1ST PLACE SPEAKER AWARD at Georgetown University!!
Speech Debate India students Aadith Kacholia & Prahlad Madhu WIN 2ND PLACE VARSITY TEAM AWARD at Harvard University!!!
Speech Debate India student Hansuja Das WINS 1ST PLACE JV SPEAKER AWARD at Harvard University!!
Speech Debate India students Hansuja Das & Mrinal Sindhwani WIN 1ST PLACE JV TEAM AWARD at University of Michigan!!!
Speech Debate India students Aadith Kacholia & Arnav Agrawal WIN 1ST PLACE JV TEAM AWARD at the Marist Ivy Tournament!!!
Speech Debate India students Aadith Kacholia & Arnav Agrawal WIN 2ND & 3RD PLACE JV SPEAKER AWARDS at Marist Ivy!!
Speech Debate India students Aadith Kacholia & Arnav Agrawal WIN 1ST PLACE JV TEAM AWARD at Northwestern University!!!
Speech Debate India students Aadith Kacholia & Arnav Agrawal WIN 1ST PLACE HS OPEN TEAM AWARD at Harvard University!!!
Speech Debate India students Aadith Kacholia & Arnav Agrawal RATED #1 JV TEAM IN GLOBAL RANKINGS!!!
Congratulations to SDI GC teams breaking into Elimination rounds at Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Georgetown, Michigan, TOC & more!!!
Congratulations to 100+ SDI GC Students for winning team and speaker awards at International events!!!
Train with Mr. Rajiv Kacholia, U.S. State Debate Champion with an unmatched coaching record in South Asia!!!!
transform thinking with sdi courses
Best for: Aiming for top colleges; competing nationally/globally
Our intensive Debate Tournament Prep course. Achieve National level competitiveness in 2 years and Globally in 3 to 5 years!
Faculty: Mr. Rajiv Kacholia
Grades: 6-12
Engage: Geopolitical challenges
Join: Monthly, by interview
Time: Sat 6:30pm or 8pm IST
Duration: 1.5 hours per session​
Curriculum: learn more - GC
Best for: Transformational starting point in confident communication​
Learn core speech & debate skills to thrive in academics & life. Age-appropriate, positive, energizing atmosphere that inspires confidence!
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Faculty: Mr. Rajiv Kacholia
Grades: 3-5 / 6-10
Build: Global curiosity
Join: Monthly, rolling admissions
Time: Sat 3pm / 4pm IST
Duration: 1 hour per session
​Curriculum: learn more - FC
Best for: A fast-paced, fun engagement in debate
Learn to debate with limited time to prepare. This exciting format features short debates over 10 sessions every two months!
Faculty: SDI Champions Team
Grades: 3-5 / 6-10
Explore: Trending current issues
Join: Bi-Monthly
Time: M&F 6pm / W&Sa 5pm
Duration: 1 hour per session​
​Curriculum: learn more - EC