Basant Kumar Jaggi National Turncoat Competition 2026 at GL Bajaj Institute of Law, Greater Noida (Prize Pool Rs 44,000)

GL Bajaj Institute of Law (GLBIL), Greater Noida, was established in 2025 under the GL Bajaj Group of Institutions. It is affiliated to Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, and its programmes (BA LL.B., B.Com. LL.B. and a three-year LL.B.) are run in accordance with Bar Council of India norms. The competition is organised by the institute's Debating Society in collaboration with Jaggi Jaggi and Jaggi Attorneys (Triple J).

The Basant Kumar Jaggi National Turncoat Competition, 2026 commemorates the late Mr. Basant Kumar Jaggi, an advocate who practised at Rawalpindi, Lahore and later Delhi, and authored books on the Motor Vehicles Act, 1939 and allied transport and petroleum statutes. The competition celebrates advocacy, adaptability and persuasive argumentation.

Turncoat is a fast-paced speaking format: each participant first argues in favour of an allotted topic and then, on the judges' signal, switches and argues against the same stance within the same speaking slot, without a break in flow.

• Social Theme: Failing of Marriages.
• Technology Theme: Artificial Intelligence is a threat to human employment.

Each theme has its own independent set of winners and prize money. A participant may register for only one theme.

• Open only to participants from institutions other than GL Bajaj Institute of Law; students, professionals and researchers currently affiliated with GLBIL are not eligible.
• Participants may be students of law, management, engineering/technology, medicine or any other discipline relevant to their chosen theme.
• Suggested participants: law, management or social science students, or students of any college/institution from UG and PG programmes.
• Participation is individual.

• The event is held on 16 October 2026 (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM) and consists of a single round within each theme.
• Topics within the registered theme are allotted shortly before the round and are not disclosed in advance.
• Speaking time and the point of the flip signal are announced before the round and are uniform for all participants in a theme.
• Props, printed material, electronic devices and audience assistance are not permitted.
• Personal remarks, defamatory statements or comments directed at judges, organisers or fellow participants lead to immediate disqualification.
• Report at the venue at least 30 minutes before your scheduled round with a valid college/institution ID card.
• Plagiarism, impersonation or misrepresentation of identity results in disqualification without refund.
• The decision of the judges and the organising committee is final and binding on all matters relating to scoring, conduct and results.
• The organising committee may change the schedule, format or rules at any time, with due notice to participants.

• Command over subject matter and quality of arguments
• Persuasiveness and clarity of delivery on both sides of the topic
• Adaptability and speed of thought while switching positions
• Rebuttal strength and handling of judges' questions, where applicable
• Time management and adherence to the rules of the round

Register through the official Google Form and pay the registration fee of Rs 400 per participant at the time of registration. Registration is confirmed only after the fee is received. Seats per theme are limited and allotted on a first-come-first-served basis. The fee is non-refundable. Registrations close on 10 October 2026 at 11:59 PM; no registrations are accepted after the deadline.

For each theme: 1st prize Rs 10,000, 2nd prize Rs 7,000 and 3rd prize Rs 5,000. The total prize pool across both themes is Rs 44,000. Trophies go to the top three winners and all participants receive certificates.