Parul University Verbal Duel 2026 Brings Together 20+ Universities and Academic Institutions

Parul University hosted Verbal Duel 2026, a state-level inter-university debate competition that brought students from universities and higher educational institutions across Gujarat onto a common platform for argument, reasoning and public communication. Organised by the Career Development Cell of Parul University in association with The Times of India, the competition was held around the theme “Lakshya 2047 – Empowering Youth.”

The event attracted 46 registered teams during its initial stage. Following the preliminary round, 23 teams progressed to the qualifier stage, while the six strongest teams advanced to the Grand Finale. More than 600 participants and spectators witnessed the concluding stage, turning the competition into a significant inter-institutional student engagement initiative.

Parul University Verbal Duel 2026: Key Highlights

What Students Debated at Verbal Duel 2026

The competition went beyond conventional academic debating by placing contemporary issues at the centre of discussion. Participants debated topics connected with artificial intelligence, education, social media, electric mobility, agriculture and India’s development. These subjects required students to examine changing social, technological and economic issues while responding to competing viewpoints.

The format tested more than prepared public speaking. Students had to research their positions, listen carefully to opposing arguments, construct rebuttals and communicate their ideas clearly under competitive conditions.

Skills Tested During the Competition

• Researching contemporary social and economic issues.
• Building structured and evidence-based arguments.
• Responding quickly to opposing viewpoints.
• Presenting ideas clearly before a large audience.
• Listening carefully before developing a rebuttal.
• Defending a position with logic and confidence.
• Evaluating an issue from more than one perspective.
• Communicating effectively under competitive pressure.

Who Judged the Grand Finale?

The Grand Finale was adjudicated by Rahul Shankar, Senior Vice President, RMD, Bennett Coleman and Company Ltd., and Animesh Bhatt, a TEDx speaker with previous professional associations with Tata and The Times of India.

The final stage was also attended by Parul University President Dr Devanshu Patel and Pro Vice Chancellor Dr Kunjal Sinha. The competition highlighted research, reasoning, articulation and rebuttal as central elements of effective debate.

Why Verbal Duel 2026 Matters for University Students

Inter-university competitions can give students an environment that is difficult to reproduce through classroom assignments alone. Participants encounter unfamiliar perspectives, speak before larger audiences and have to react to arguments in real time rather than simply deliver memorised presentations.

Verbal Duel 2026 also connected these skills with the broader Lakshya 2047 theme by positioning communication and independent thinking as part of youth development. In an environment where students have access to large volumes of information, the ability to question, verify, interpret and communicate ideas remains important across academic and professional settings.

By bringing together students from multiple higher educational institutions, Parul University’s Verbal Duel 2026 created a platform for competitive debate while encouraging participants to engage constructively with contemporary issues and viewpoints different from their own.

Sources

https://in.linkedin.com/in/dr-kunjal-sinha

https://in.linkedin.com/in/ms-priyanka-pandey-9ba21b64