“It is better to debate a question without settling it than to settle a question without debating it.” — Joseph Joubert
On 29th August 2026, Delhi Public School RK Puram hosted the annual inter-school debate competition, ‘Outspoken’. The event was organised by DebSoc, the English Debating Society of the school and witnessed the active participation of sixteen schools from all over Delhi NCR. The event featured two different formats: Conventional Debate and Turncoat Debate which were adjudicated by six jury members.
The Conventional Debate was adjudicated by Ms Anika, an Economics undergraduate at the University of Delhi; Ms Kashvi Arora, currently in her fourth year of Psychology Honours and Mr Prerit Lal, an undergraduate at the Shaheed Bhagat Singh College, University of Delhi.
The Turncoat Debate was adjudicated by Mr Adamya Sharma, an undergraduate student from Shaheed Bhagat Singh College, University of Delhi; Ms Payal Srivastava, an undergraduate student passionate about advocacy, communication and social change and Ms Vaishnavi Singh, an undergraduate student at Motilal Nehru College, University of Delhi.
In the Conventional format, the participants presented their views on motions like universal basic income funded by a wealth tax, quotas for women in corporate leadership, free movement of labour among ASEAN member states, the role of intentions and consequences in judging morality, etc. The participants in the Turncoat Debate faced the challenging task of switching stances mid-debate on topics which they received on the spot with thirty minutes of preparation time.
In the valedictory ceremony, the Principal, Mr Anil Kumar congratulated all the participating schools and emphasized on the importance of the spirit of participation over the joy of winning. He reflected on the importance of debating and how it stimulates the mind, thereby encouraging students to think critically, analyse different perspectives and articulate their ideas with clarity and confidence. He highlighted that a debater’s greatest strength lies not merely in the knowledge they possess, but in their ability to apply it spontaneously and effectively.
The results of the event were as follows:
| POSITION | NAME OF THE SCHOOL |
| FIRST | Delhi Public School, Sector 30, NOIDA |
| SECOND | Springdales School, Dhaula Kuan |
| THIRD | Delhi Public School, Vasant Kunj |
The best speakers in each format were as follows:
| EVENT | NAME OF THE SCHOOL | BEST SPEAKER |
| Conventional Debate | Delhi Public School, Sector 30, NOIDA | Ekaksha Rathi Verma |
| Turncoat Debate | Springdales School, Dhaula Kuan | Siraj Kaur |
| Conventional Debate (Interjector) | Delhi Public School, Sector 30, NOIDA | Tarini Jamwal |