Some tips for GDPI:
About GD:
Speak well. Initiate the discussion if you know the subject well. You wont win by being a silent observer of the goings on. Listen to others if you dont know the subject. Support you point with some facts and figures.
Make short contribution of 25-30 seconds 3-4 times. The person who initiates or concludes the discussion gets easily noticed, but take it easy if you just missed out on this. You can still score with intelligent views and appropriate behaviour. Try to lead the GD into a constructive conversation, Making a fish market can hamper the chances of all the aspirants. If its getting chaotic out there, try to manage the group. Ask them to speak one by one. It shows your leadership skill. Disagree politely and agree with what is right.
In the group discussion, you are with people you dont know well. Be alert to sound respectful and avoid anything that may sound offensive to the other people. On the other hand, some other speakers may behave aggressively or sound offensive. Dont take it personally. Stay calm, objective and voice your views/objections respectfully under all circumstances. You score by being coolheaded under provocation.Listen to the subject carefully. Summarize the discussion if the group has not reached a conclusion.
The strict No-No of XLRI GD:
Initiating the discussion if you do not have sufficient knowledge about the given topic.
Arguing and shouting during the GD.
Looking at the evaluators or a particular group member.
Talking irrelevant things and distract the discussion.
Mentioning erratic statistics.
Displaying low self-confidence with shaky voice and trembling hands.
Putting others in an embarrassing situation by asking them to speak if they dont want.
My GD topic was
Will the advent of electronic media lead to extinction of print media (Newspaper)??
Some of the topics of recent years:
Government regulation on telecom sector-unjustified millstone.
How to prevent child labour ( 7 points were mentioned :assigning priorities to them)
Problems with the Infrastructure industry in India. 9 possible solutions were given, which were to be prioritized.
10 points were to be prioritised on a topic like Poverty in Growing Economy
How to make India's judiciary accountable.(7 points were given which were to be ranked individually and by the group).
How to improve India's Bureaucratic efficiency.(9 points were given which were to be ranked individually and by the group)
Economic slowdown and Employee layoff
How land acquisition can be done in a fair manner: consulting with the stakeholders, giving jobs, monetary compensation to displaced people?
The privatization of air travel in India - success or failure?
Textile Industry Growing in India, Cotton Production Growing in India, But Farmers committing suicide, Explain the reason behind this paradox
Defence preparedness of India.
Reforms needed in Indian Medical System. Why and How?
Impact of Social Networking Sites.
Indian Education Bill - step in the right direction
What can Indians learn from the Egyptian revolution?
National games, big festival for a poor nation.
The topics could be general and based on current affairs. For example Lokpal Bill, S band scam (in news again), India debacle in test cricket in Australia and England: Is IPL the reason? etc.
About PI:
To convince the panellist that you are suitable for a particular course, make the panellist believe that you really are interested in doing MBA and not here just for the sake of it. Talk about your realistic future goals and objectives. Dont pretend, be yourself. Show them your enthusiasm. Brush up the current affairs well.
For HR:
They may ask you about HR policies. Although I was not asked but I heard that many of the candidates were grilled on the same. So get to know the policies of your companies. You should know the difference in PM and IR. Lastly, you should have a sound idea of why you want to choose HR as your specialization. Generic answers like I love interacting/dealing with people may not be of much help.
For BM:
The first and foremost thing is that you should be clear about your choice of specialization with a strong logical reasoning about the same. For e.g. If you want to choose finance then, you should have a clear idea why you want to select it and all basic finance related terms like mutual funds, investment banking, hedge fund, balance sheet, P&L; account etc. I will suggest you to read newspaper daily from now itself (especially the business page, if you cant read the pink coloured boring ET) Keep yourself informed with the current affairs of at least 6 months prior to date.
Some generic question (prepare them well):
Why MBA?
Tell us about yourself.
Why BM/HRM?
Strength and weakness
Short term and long term goals
Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?
One reason that we should not select you? (can be very tricky)
Tell us about a challenging situation that you faced? How did you resolve it?
What would you describe are your greatest achievement to date?
Interests and Hobbies Be prepared! Questions as basic as Why do you do poetry (or any other activity may be asked.
P.S. Clearing the GDPIs is not that tough folks. Work hard. Make the best use of the little time remaining. Go there, and show the Profs that you have got all that they are looking for. All the best