Kolkata's Premier Forum for Public Debate — Since 2014

Where Argument Becomes Art.

From student parliamentary debate to flagship public forums with national thinkers, journalists, and policymakers — Calcutta Debating Circle has given Kolkata a serious, structured home for argument for over a decade.

Join CDC Upcoming Events Students Professionals

Active since 2014 | Hosted debaters from

Oxford

Cambridge

Harvard

Yale

Emory

Sydney

LSE

Harrow School

Flagship debates held in partnership with The Telegraph

Festival of the Spoken Word

The Debate (Flagship Public Forum)

CDC Prime (Students)

CDC Ambassador (Professionals)

Schools & College Outreach

Mock Parliament

Matters of social relevance and importance has to be debated and discussed not judged by those who are imposition of power by one and all of our society. It is our responsibility to engage the younger generatioons in these debate s and discussions. CDC has single minded focus on promoting public Discourse

Who We Are

A Non-Profit Home for Argument, Built on Discipline.

Most people think debate is about winning. We built an entire organisation around the opposite idea.

Here’s something about Kolkata that most people already suspect but rarely say out loud: this city has never had a shortage of opinions. What it needed was a place to argue them properly.

Since 2014, the Calcutta Debating Circle has done exactly that — bringing debaters from Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, Yale, Emory, LSE, and Harrow School to Kolkata to argue real motions, in front of real audiences, alongside training programmes for students and professionals.

Not a debate club. A discipline.

Student & Professional Training

The actual architecture of argument — taught properly, with rebuttal practice and real stakes.

International Exhibition Debates

Oxford. Cambridge. Harvard. Yale. LSE. Harrow. On a Kolkata stage. Against Kolkata speakers.

Ideas have the power to shape worlds, but only when we have the courage to speak them and the humility to listen. At the Calcutta Debating Circle, we don’t just train individuals to argue; we inspire a new generation to think, to challenge the status quo, and to lead with the power of an open mind.

Attend in Person

Sit in the Room Where the Argument Happens.

Every CDC debate is open to anyone who wants to watch two sides argue a motion properly — not shout past each other. Bring a position. Leave with a better one, or a sharper version of your own.

Our Services

What the Calcutta Debating Circle Actually Does

Student Debate Training

Structured coaching in argument construction, rebuttal, and public speaking for school and college students across Kolkata.

Professional development workshop at CDC

Professional Development Workshops

Communication and persuasion training for working professionals, built around real debate format — not generic soft-skill theory.

CDC Partnered Events

We collaborate with India’s finest institutions — CII, ISC Board, IIM Kolkata, leading medical colleges, and professional bodies — to deliver authoritative, high-impact debating platforms built on transparency and excellence.

Public Forums on Current Affairs

Open debates on the issues of the day — politics, media, culture, and policy — argued by trained speakers, decided by the room.

Inter-Institutional Debate Events

Competitive debates between CDC and partner institutions, including past meets with SRFTI and the International Library of Social Sciences.

Adjudication & Judging Panels

Trained adjudicators for school, college, and corporate debate competitions across Kolkata, on request.

When the next debate is announced, it will appear here with the motion, venue, and date. Until then, follow CDC on social media.

Facebook YouTube

L N Birla Debate 2026 Finals — Calcutta Debating Circle

Annual

07 Featured Engagement

L N Birla Debate

Calcutta Debating Circle, which has had a deep and long standing engagement with the L N Birla debate, was represented by Dr Kunal Sarkar (moderator) and Ms. Taniya Bhardwaj (judge) at the 2026 Finals.