MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies at Yale
South Asian Studies Council

Yale Hindi Debate

The Yale Hindi Debate is the only Hindi-language national debate in the United States. Students from across the country debate resolutions in areas such as disinformation, space exploration, and nationalism. All Yale students at L3 and above participate in the debate’s preliminary round.

Registration for the Yale Hindi Debate 2024 is now open! Please fill out this form by March 1st:  https://forms.gle/VBvmbbcaRrv5iWpT7
 

Rules

Each speaker will make a three-minute speech in Hindi before the audience. After the speech, the speaker will answer one question, asked and answered in Hindi, from the audience. The speaker will be awarded a score out of 30 based on the following criteria.

Argumentation (10):

  • Each speaker will make a three-minute speech in Hindi before the audience. After the speech, the speaker will answer one question, asked and answered in Hindi, from the audience. The speaker will be awarded a score out of 30 based on the following criteria.

    • Argumentation (10):

      • Speaker’s argument is well-crafted and follows a logical sequence (4)

      • Speaker addresses the arguments of possible opponents without deliberate misrepresentation (2)

      • Speaker’s argument demonstrates a clear understanding of the resolution and the questions it poses (2)

      • Speaker’s argument incorporates research and evidence where appropriate (2)

    • Presentation (10): The speaker articulates words clearly, reading minimally from their prepared remarks, and minimizes the use of any non-Hindi words; the speaker makes eye contact, is not distracted, and maintains posture.

Interjection (5): The speaker answers the interjector’s question confidently, effectively, and without deviating from the ideas expressed in their argument.

  • Miscellaneous (5): The speaker fulfills the expectations of a Yale Hindi Debate participant, including wearing suitable attire, refraining from impolite or personal remarks, and abiding by the time-limit.

  • The Best Interjector

    • Whoever asks the single best question of the day will receive the Best Interjector prize, recognizing their contribution as a questioner, not a speaker, to the Yale Hindi Debate. Interjections are scored by the judges out of five potential marks. To be considered for the Best Interjector prize, the questioner must be sure to state their name at the beginning of their question. 

      • The Best Interjector prize consists of a $25 gift card to House of Naan.

  • Language

    • Speakers should seek to avoid using English in their speeches, but prize understanding above all. The use of both Sanskritized and Persianized Hindustani is welcome.

  • Time Limit

    • The time allotted for speeches is three (3) minutes. Speakers can be over or under that time by up to one minute, meaning a speech can be anywhere from two to four (2-4) minutes. A speaker whose speech is shorter than two (2) minutes or longer than four (4) minutes will lose points in the Miscellaneous category.

  • Decorum

    • Speakers may not address another speaker or a questioner by name, and should not make any rude or impersonal remarks over the course of the debate.

  • Attire

    • Speakers may wear business casual, business, or formal South Asian clothing.

Logistics

  • Travel

    • The Yale Hindi Debate offers last-dollar reimbursement for travel for students participating in the Yale Hindi Debate. This means that we offer funding as a last resort, after participating schools have used their own resources. Due to budgetary restrictions, we are unable to offer full funding for travel in all cases. The map below illustrates the maximum amount that can be reimbursed for students traveling from a given part of the country to New Haven for the debate. 

      • Zone 1: Northeast, $100

        • Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, D.C.

      • Zone 2: South $300

        • Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Florida

      • Zone 3: Midwest $300

        • Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Louisiana

      • Zone 4: West $500

        • Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona

      • Zone 5: Alaska + Hawaii

  • Lodging

    • When in New Haven, students stay with student hosts in Yale’s on- and off-campus housing. We do not offer travel reimbursements to faculty members wishing to attend the debate, though we welcome any interested faculty and are prepared to partially reimburse accommodation if given advance notice.

      • In case of a pandemic or other health emergency, visiting students will be accommodated in hotel rooms off-campus. Plans subject to change and contingent on Yale policy.

  • Reimbursements

  • The Yale Hindi Debate is proud to offer last-dollar support for schools participating in the annual debate. We offer two reimbursement paths for participating schools. Schools may either choose to ask the Yale Hindi Debate team to facilitate travel, accommodations, and/or transportation for their participating students; or they may arrange their own travel, accommodations, and/or lodging and submit receipts for reimbursement to the Yale Hindi Debate. The process for receiving reimbursement for expenses is outlined below. The Yale Hindi Debate provides meals throughout the day of the debate.

    • For U.S. citizens and residents (Green Card holders), follow these steps.

      • Fill out the W9 form below

      • Fill out the ACH form, sections 2-4, and the parts of section 5 that ask for supplier information

      • Return the forms and relevant documents/receipts asked for the ACH form to the Yale Hindi Debate team by using this form

    • For non-U.S. citizens and residents, follow these steps

      • Fill out the IFF form below

        • Option 1: Fill out the attached ACH form, sections 2-4, and the parts of section 5 that ask for supplier information with the information of a U.S. citizen or resident who can transfer funds to you

        • Option 2: Fill out the attached wire transfer form for an international bank transfer (please keep in mind that fees are charges for some international transfers)

        • After proceeding with either option 1 or option 2, return the forms and relevant documents and receipts asked for in the ACH or wire transfer form to the Yale Hindi Debate team by using this form.

Please keep in mind that for either option, participating schools are asked to select one point person who will communicate with the Yale Hindi Debate team regarding reimbursements and accept responsibility for handling reimbursements with other participants from their school. Participating schools should carefully track and retain all receipts to ensure ease of reimbursement. It generally takes two weeks from reimbursement request submission to reimbursement deposit in a bank account.

If you have questions, please email eesha.bodapati@yale.edu and ananya.purushottam@yale.edu and a member of the Yale Hindi Debate team will be in touch shortly.