GD

SIP

PI
CV

Group Discussion-Tips and

Techniques

FP09

GD
SIP

Communication is not
all about what you say
but
..what
others understand

PI
CV

FP09

GD

Features

SIP

PI
CV

Two or more people talk about a particular

topic in detail
Exploring the various aspects of the topic
Exchange ideas intelligently

FP09

GD

Qualities seen in
candidates:

Team building
leadership
Oral communication
Body Language
Initiative
Clarity of thought
Decision making ability
Presence of mind

SIP

PI
CV

FP09

GD

Qualities seen in
candidates:

SIP

Managing situational stress

Listening skills
Flexibility
Maturity
Reasoning power
Influencing/convincing power
Problem solving skills

PI
CV

FP09

GD

GDs can be topic-based

or case-based.
A positive body language
- Leaning forward
- Nodding in attention
- Listening attentively
A cheerful face
Patience and consistency
Steady eye contact
Creative thought process

SIP

PI
CV

FP09

GD
SIP

PI
CV

GDs can be topic-based

or case-based.
Natural
give value-added points instead of
repetitions
Adopt Yes-but philosophy
Swift and alert
Cool and calm
Be vocal, support points with facts, figures
Intervene if decision is turning hostile

FP09

GD

Donts

SIP

PI
CV

Excessive aggression
Misinterpretation of the topic
Whisper to your neighbour near you or
make gestures to anyone at the table
Be sarcastic, mocking
Praise others, shout or interrupt
Change your stand
Display negative body language
Go overboard with enthusiasm if it is a
familiar topic

FP09

GD

Types of GD

SIP

PI
CV

GDs can be topic-based or case-based.

Topic based Gds can be classified into
three types :1. Factual Topics
2. Controversial Topics
3. Abstract Topics

FP09

GD
SIP

PI
CV

Factual Topics: about practical things

about socio-economic topics
A factual topic for discussion gives a
candidate a chance to prove that he is
aware of and sensitive to his environment.
E.g. The education policy of India, Tourism
in India, State of the aged in the nation.

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GD

Controversial
Topics:-

SIP

PI
CV

FP09

Controversial topics are the ones that are

argumentative in nature. They are meant to generate
controversy
In GDs where these topics are given for discussion,
the noise level is usually high, there may be tempers
flying.
The idea behind giving a topic like this is to see how
much maturity the candidate is displaying by keeping
his temper in check, by rationally and logically
arguing his point of view without getting personal and
emotional.
E.g. Reservations should be removed, Women make
better managers

GD

Abstract Topics:-

SIP

PI
CV

Abstract topics are about intangible things.

These topics are not given often for
discussion, but their possibility cannot be
ruled out.
E.g existence of God,

FP09

GD
SIP

PI
CV

Case-based Gd: the use of a case instead of a topic.

The case study tries to simulate a real-life
situation. Information about the situation will be
given to you and you would be asked as a group
to resolve the situation.
there are no incorrect answers or perfect
solutions. The objective in the case study is to
get you to think about the situation from various
angles.

FP09

GD

AN APPROACH TO GD TRAINING
(FOR TRIM & ADVANCE MODULE)
DO A MIND MAPPING OF
THE FOLLOWING TOPICS APPLYING
THE SIMPLE TOOL CALLED 'WH' QUESTIONS.

SIP

PI
CV

FP09

STEP 1
GENERAL READING TO IMPROVE OVERALL
CURRENT NEWS AWARENESS AND SECTORSPECIFIC NEWS AWARENESS TARGETING 2
SECTORS

GD
SIP

STEP 2
THE MIND MAPPING GIVES SOME
ANSWERS, BUT THROWS OPEN
SEVERAL UNANSWERED QUESTIONS.
STEP 3
THE UNANSWERED QUESTIONS MAKE
SPECIFIC READING RELEVANT AND
RESULT-ORIENTED
STEP 4
INITIAL READING LEADING TO MIND MAPPING
AND SUBSEQUENT READING GIVES THE
GROUND FOR JUST-A-MINUTE (JAM) OR J2M
EXERCISE.

PI
CV

FP09

GD
SIP

PI
CV

STEP 5
A SERIES OF JAM EXERCISES ON A SINGLE TOPIC IS A GOOD
BEGINNING OF GD TRAINING
FOR EXAMPLE: 2 OR 3 CANDIDATES TO DO JAM EACH COVERING
HOW
TO INITIATE
3-5 CANDIDATES TO DO JAM EACH ON ONE
PARTICULAR ASPECT OF THE TOPIC TO DEVELOP
THE
TOPIC
2-3 CANDIDATES TO DO JAM EACH ON
CONSOLIDATING
THE POINTS COVERED BY THE EARLIER
PARTICIPANTS
2-3 CANDIDATES TO DO JAM EACH ON
SUMMARISING THE TOPIC

FP09

GD
SIP

STEP 6
TRIAL GD:
INITIATION

PI
CV

FP09

THE STUDENT WHO DID THE BEST JAM ON TOPIC

WILL INITIATE THE DISCUSSION
3-5 STUDENTS WILL CONTRIBUTE THE BEST POINT

THEY
DISCUSSED DURING THE RESPECTIVE JAMs
THE STUDENT WHO PRODUCED THE BEST JAM ON
CONSOLIDATING THE POINTS DISCUSSED, WILL TAKE
CARE OF
THE CONSOLIDATION PART IN THE TRIAL GD
THE STUDENT WHO DID THE BEST SUMMARISING JAM
WILL SUMMARISE THE TRIAL GD

GD
SIP

PI
CV

STEP 7
AT THIS STAGE, FROM CONSICIOUSLY STRUCTURED
TRIAL GD
TO SIMULATED GD (MOCK GD) : FROM CONSCIOUSLY
SEQUENED JAM EXERCISES, STUDENS WILL DO A
MOCK GD INVOLVING ALL THE TEAM MEMBERS.
STEP 8
REPEAT THE CYCLE FROM STEP 1 - 8, 10 TIMES BASED
ON DIFFERENT TOPICS, ROTATING ROLES OF
INITIATION, DEVELOPMENT, CONSOLIDATION AND
SUMMARISATION.
GD.doc CLICK TO SEE PROPOSED TOPICS

FP09

GD
SIP

PI
CV

FP09