IIM Calcutta Some Past WAT Topics

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Components of Success. I am that what I read. Foreign institutions such as Harvard should be allowed to set up their regional branches in India. The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep. Is Cricket a boon or a bane? Increase in the number of competitive examinations is leading to higher levels of stress among students, sometimes leading to suicide Is fear of misuse of information of Aadhar card being justified?? Environment regulation delaying development. Natural disasters are inevitable but their consequences aren't. How do we become more efficient with dealing with such disasters in India? (We started with discussing current problems and then suggested solutions while quoting solutions adopted in other countries). Should the Internet be regulated or not? Consumerism in India, its growth and implications. (General discussion) "Enrolment rates in Indian schools are improving but Indian students are scoring less each year in Reading and Mathematics exams. Explain how this is happening (this was a Mumbai Location Overseas panel interview). Technology will make travel redundant in the future. Lot of intent on the part of the government to regulate the electronic media. Your take? Image of the women portrayed by Media today. Portrayal of women in Indian TV soaps. "Some states in India are coming up with food policies. What do you think about their objective for the policies and with more than 1 billion population one could meet his objective? Do advertisements just increase the extra cost which is bore by Consumers? (Speak for or against it). Is technology overriding tradition? Bollywood is the face of India to the world Should there be regulations on print media? Youth should not run after money but after excellence and success will follow. Your friend is planning to start a small-scale business. What will be your advice to him/her? Will you persuade him/her or dissuade him/her? Color & design of public buildings should be left to the architects decision. Role of youth in politics. Actions of Man are the only reason for the degradation of environment and only man can mend it.

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27. Small and medium scale enterprise in India. Is it the time jump into one? 28. Private institutions are the only way to ensure higher education in future India. 29. Ban on media is pertinent for maintenance of law and order in today's society (Up to you, whether you want to take a stance or stay neutral). 30. Poverty doesn't only mean having lack of resources but also lack of dignity. 31. Natural disasters are inevitable, but their consequences are not. What steps India can take to minimize the effect of natural disasters? 32. The positives and negatives of the print media. 33. Are advertisements good or bad? Or are they necessary evils? 34. The security measures taken by the government in the name of preventing terrorism are intruding into our privacy. 35. Land acquisition for Development Vs. Interest of the displaced people 36. Should IIMs and IITs be privatized? 37. Graduation should be made the minimum educational qualification criteria for contesting in elections. 38. Effects of FDI on kirana stores and the like. 39. Increasing suicides by students due to pressure from parents and society. 40. "Facebook has become 3rd largest country with 300 million population. What are your views about the online media these days? 41. Only graduates should be allowed to contest Lok Sabha elections. 42. Role of State in education. Should the government intervene in education? 43. How can we address the problem of rising number of suicides among teenage students? 44. Is nuclear energy a boon or a bane?? 45. Is tuition outside school/college ok? 46. India is the next superpower. Discuss. 47. Literature fests like the one in Jaipur attract only media attention, and not book lovers. 48. A recent study has shown the decline in infant mortality rate in girls between 0 and 5 years. Discuss. 49. Should there be censorship on internet? 50. Aadhar registration involves recording of biometric information of applicants. Are citizens' fears regarding the safety of this information justified? 51. Foreign Universities operating in India will affect the Indian education system in a negative way ( for or against ) 52. Portrayal of Indian society through Indian cinema 53. Virtual Tourism will eventually replace Real Tourism. 54. Should there be a retirement age for politicians 55. All unhappy families are unhappy in different ways; all happy families are happy in the same way. 56. Many countries have repealed capital punishment. What are the pros and cons of this? 57. Is Corporal Punishment an effective means of discipline? 58. Women in management jobs- how scenario is changing or something like that 59. At what point is advertising considered too preachy? 60. Places for historic importance should be preserved for reasons other than sight-seeing. 61. "Poverty" is the Worst form of "Violence" (Justify or Deny) 62. One of your friends wants to start a small scale industry. What is your suggestion to him?

63. Stress is a huge presence in our educational system, which has a negative impact on students 64. Should attempt to suicide be considered as crime? 65. The print media is increasingly publishing frivolous issues (pertaining to personal lives of filmstars, sports personalities etc.). What is your take on this? 66. Should India go nuclear? 67. Do historical places (monuments etc.) have any importance other than being tourist destinations? 68. Rural India is the future for the economic growth 69. Sports in India: In such a poor situation 70. Growing popularity of reality TV shows and television game shows. 71. Only educated people (eg. people with bachelor's degree) should be allowed to stand in elections. 72. Business & Ethics go together (this topic is from the GD of 2011).