2019-2020

ICFAI Business School – GD & PI Preparation Book

ICFAI Business School

2019-2020
 How to prepare for GD and PI?
1. Group Discussion

Group Discussion (GD) is an important part of MBA/PGPM selection process. GD Topics

for MBA includes topics on Current Affairs, Business & Economy and even Abstract topics to
check the creativity, communication skills, leadership skills and knowledge of college
students.

Type of GD Topics
There are four types of GD Topics for MBA:

GD Topics on Business & Economy: It includes current trends in business and economy,
major policy initiatives, latest business trends, and their impact globally and nationally.

GD Topics on Current Affairs: The GD topics on Current affairs may be based on national
or international political development, Policies and issues which are highly debated in media.

GD topics on Social Issues: Top MBA Colleges are focussing on developing socially
responsible MBAs. Hence, there is a greater emphasis on issues like gender and
environment sensitivity, ethics etc.

GD Topics on Abstract Topics: You may be thinking what are abstract GD topics? These
are the topics which have multiple interpretations and candidates can show their creativity
and smart thinking. Prepare well for these tricky ones!

Hot GD Topics

Business & Economy

1. Slowdown in Indian Economy: Temporary or Structural?
2. 5 Trillion Economy: The Vision, Challenges and Roadmap for India
3. Disinvestment on CPSE central public sector enterprises: Good step to augment public
expenditure or selling family silver?
4. RCEP Agreement: Right step for national interest or running away from competition?

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5. India improves Ease of Doing Business Ranking: Real or chimera?

Nation & Society

1. Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019: What, Why, When and Whom; Relationship with NRC
explained
2. Article 370 Abrogation: Correcting old folly or thrusting nationalistic agenda?
3. Single Use Plastic Ban?
4. Delhi Air Pollution: Man made Crisis or fall out of industrialization?
5. Chandrayaan 2: A failed mission or a stepping stone for future glory?

International
1. Hong Kong Protests: Rebel against China or pro-democracy fight?
2. US China Trade Talks: A political drama or renegotiation of rules of game?

Group Discussion (GD) Topics on Current Affairs

Citizenship Amendment Act - What and How will Abrogation of Article 370 improve
Why situation in Kashmir
Should there be a limit to Media Freedom? Why Individual Data Privacy is important?

Is Trump creating World Trade War? Will companies benefit from the Companies
Amendment Bill?
Discuss about Union Budget India (Latest) Discounts on E-commerce website are
harmful in the end
How beneficial is the IIM 2017 bill for Is preponing the presentation date of General
students? Budget a good decision?
Is India ready for electric vehicles? Will De-Nuclearisation Instill World Peace?

Will fake news kill Social Fiber of India if Can India afford spending a fortune on
unchecked? projects like Mission to MARS?
Is it still too early for India to have bullet Making Aadhaar mandatory is not a good
trains? idea- for or against
Implication of Gujarat & Himachal Is banning of Pakistani artists from India
Assembly elections at the national level? justified?
Modicare: Will it be an affordable Global warming
healthcare project?

Group Discussion (GD) on Abstract Topics

Hard Work Vs Smart Work How important is it to be patient in Business

and Management?
Work-Life Balance is a Myth Building strategies Vs Execution

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Change is the only constant Leader Vs Follower
Friends, Enemy or Frenemies? Innovation Vs Invention
Ethics or Profit? Freedom: A Myth?
Thoughts on Me Too Campaign Do we need more entrepreneurs than
managers?
Can failures teach you important lessons in Women are better multi-taskers- agree or
life? disagree?

Group Discussion (GD) Topics on Business & Economy

Will reduced Goods & Services Tax (GST) help How is the falling rupee impacting the
the Indian economy in growing faster? Indian economy?
How capable in India of leading Solar Energy, Cashless Economy –Is India ready for it?
Wind Energy revolution?
Is MBA necessary to be Successful in Business? Should the Indian economy be privatized?

Can India become a $5 trillion economy by

Block chain Technology –Pros & Cons
2024?
Views on Bitcoin/CryptoCurrency Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in retail
sector good for India- agree or disagree?
Ways in which Technology is impacting the Agriculture Vs Manufacturing Industry in
Banking sector India
How can we control banking frauds to reduce Minimum Support Price: Is it a Political
NPAs? gimmick?
Is Globalization an Opportunity or a Threat? How will the deal between Walmart and
Flipkart impact the Indian Economy?
Will India be able to double Farmers’ Income in Is ‘Startup India’ Boosting
the next 5 years? Entrepreneurship
India V/s China: Will India remain way behind How beneficial is the merger of Public
China? Sector Banks?
Make in India campaign High Deficit Financing V/s high interest
rates: Can both go together?
Will RERA restore the trust of homebuyers? Should Business Lobbying be made legal
in India?
Demonetization: Discuss its Success & failures Views on YONO

Is Corruption in Economy the root cause for Views on Merging the General & Railway
Indian Economic slowdown? Budget

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Statue of Unity - Symbol of Pride or Wastage Will Automation and Artificial
of Public Money? Intelligence reduce or increase Jobs?
Surcharge on Income Tax (IT) for the Super-Rich

Group Discussion (GD) Topics on Social Issues

Success of Swachh Bharat Mission Smart City Project –How useful will they
be?
Social Media: A boon or a bane for the Is Net Neutrality essential to make India
society? Digital?
Will Beti Bachao Beti Padhao abolish the Crime against women
orthodox mindset?
Views on Retirement Homes Views on Climate Change Summit
Does Browsing at Workplace affect Should national anthem be played in cinema
productivity? halls?
India needs a uniform civil code- For or Give views on the present system of
against? education in our country

How to prepare for GD Topic:

Lets briefly discuss how to prepare for GD Topics. First GD preparation tip is, Read, Read,
and Read! The more aware you are, better will be your chances. Second, practice with your
friends. Before getting ready how to start the Group Discussion, you need to understand the
Group Discussion Rules and improve and focus on Group Discussion skills. Accordingly, it is
very important to know and follow certain basic tips for Group discussion to become well
versed about the entire GD process. So prior to getting down to learn top basic Group
Discussion Tips, the advice by the experts in regard to GD tips is that you should be aware
‘what and how do you speak in the group discussion’; Whether your Communication skills
are good; whether your behaviour during Group Discussion is positive on the expected
lines; whether you are ready to show your leadership skills in the group without being
arrogant.

Do’s of participating in a GD

• Think before you speak.

•Pick up clues from the discussion and intelligently add points that come to your mind with
regards to the topic, in case you don’t know much about the topic.
• Back up your points with facts and figures if needed.
• Be gentle and sure in your presentation of views.
• Speak to-the-point and make sure that you do not repeat the points.
• Be calm and composed while speaking.

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•Listening to others is also an important aspect of participation in the group discussion, so
listen to others.
• Have a respectful attitude towards the viewpoints of others.
• Your body language should convey your ease of behaviour.
•Sometimes the discussion may take a hostile turn. In such a case it is a good idea to
intervene to make the situation relaxed. This act of yours will show your leadership and
problem-solving skills.

Don’ts of participating in a GD

• Do not initiate the discussion if you do not know the topic well.
• Do not go overboard in exhibiting your knowledge even if you know the topic well.
• Do not interrupt other members when they are speaking.
•Do not change your opinion about the topic just because most of the other participants are
having an opinion different from yours.
•Do not feel unconfident if a speaker prior to you has presented the points more effectively
than you.
• Do not ask irrelevant questions.
•Do not let your personal biases about the topic enter the discussion Points to be kept in
mind before the GD No one knows what the topic of GD is going to be.

2. Personal Interview

Personal Interview (PI) is conducted before offering you admission in MBA/PGPM. The
Personal interview shape, duration and type of questions may be different in accordance
with the nature of the PI round. The Personal Interview (PI) round is the test of your
verbal communication skill, presence of mind and how do you present your views and
knowledge skilfully to convince the experts who are interviewing you.

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Personal Interview (PI) Format
Two to four experts are appointed as panellists who throw penetrating questions to you on
your academics, work experience, current affairs, social issues, about your personality, your
native place, on technical issues related to your academics and work place in the personal
interview round.

On an average, the duration of a personal interview is around 10 to 20 minutes. In case some

interesting and knowledge bearing discussion into a topic or issue starts deeply, it can go
beyond 25-30 minutes.

Common PI Questions

1. Tell me something aboutyourself?

2. What is the meaning of yourname?
3. Why do you wish to do anMBA?
4. What are your plans after anMBA?
5. How will your MBA support yourgoal?
6. How does your academicbackground relate to your goal?
7. What are your strengths, giveexamples?
8. What areyour weaknesses,give examples?
9. What are your short-term long termgoals?
10. Elaborate on your workexperience.
11. Why do you want to join IBSBusiness School?
12. Which specialization do you want to optfor?
13. What are yourhobbies/interests?
14. Why should we selectyou?
15. Questions on Current affairs –Politics, Economics, Business, Social events,
demographics, Sports, Literature, Entertainment, Awards and Recognition
16. There will besomequestions on Educational background
17. There willbe some questions on Social background
18. There will be some questions on your performance or points presented in Group
Discussion.

Wish you Happy Learning

All THE BEST

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