Frank Anthony Memorial All-India Debate

The Frank Anthony Memorial All-India Inter-School Debate is a prestigious English debating competition conducted annually by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) in memory of Frank Anthony, a key figure in the establishment of the ICSE/ISC system. It is open exclusively to CISCE-affiliated schools across India and is typically held in two categories: Category I (Junior) and Category II (Senior), with multiple zonal rounds leading up to national-level finals. Students are nominated by their schools to participate, usually in teams, and must argue for or against prepared motions under formal debate rules. The competition helps participants sharpen critical thinking, public speaking, logical reasoning, and persuasive communication. Because it brings together top speakers from CISCE schools nationwide, it also offers valuable exposure, networking, and recognition for high school students interested in debating and public discourse.