FAQ on Group Discussion for HRM & LR, TISS, Mumbai

Disclaimer: The below mentioned comments/suggestions and opinions are compiled by the First Year Students of HRM & LR for the benefit of aspiring candidates. These are meant purely for advisory purpose and do not constitute instructions or guidelines of any sort.

Q: Which topics have previously been asked in Group Discussions? Ans: Reservations and Population - Boon or Bane Value added Tax Do media create news or panic? Does Moral Policing preserve Culture How applicable is gandhian way of life (Gandhigiri) now? are caste based reservations necessary Economic development is a small part of human development India's quest for permanent seat at United Nations Security Council Corporate Social Responsibility should be aligned to Business Strategy and not philanthropy Media and its effect on society Globalisation has eroded the nation state Rising inflation shows the weakness of the government Globalisation boon or curse for Indian Youth Q:What are the possible topics for Group Discussion for this year? Ans: Sons of Soil Issue that came up with Raj Thakharey Union & Railway Budget American Elections Sub prime Crisis Rupee appreciation and impact on various industries Ethical business is an oxymoron Agriculture and its neglect The unfolding retail story of India Is left (read Left Party) always Right? How long will the Bull Run on stock market last? Corporate Social Responsibility; Indian corporate role Nuclear Deal; what lies ahead? Nano and its impact on small car segment Effects of Nano on environment/politico-economy UPA's tenure as a government and its achievements Q 3: Is GD an elimination Round? Ans: No it was not so last year. We cannot Q4: What is the group size for GD? Ans: usually 8-10. Q5:What is the time duration of a Group Discussion? Ans: Around 30 minutes.

Q6: Which magazines, books/newspaper/ journals/news channel would be helpful for GD/PI? Ans: Newspaper The Hindu Economic Times Mint Times of India Magazine Frontline Business Today Business Line Political Weekly Human capital Economical and Political Weekly (EPW) New Channels NDTV CNBC Books The Elephant paradigm Southwest Airlines India Unbound The world is flat Argumentative Indian Q7: Is there a Case Study/Analysis following Group Discussion? Ans: No, it was not so last year. Q8: Is there an Essay test in second round? Ans: Essay used to be part of selection process before 2007. Most likely it would not be there. But surprises cannot be ruled out. Q10: What is the wieghtage for the selection test? Ans: Out of a total of 200 GD Written PI Academics 30 70 70 30

Q: Do work ex candidate have advantage in the selection process? Ans: From our experience of last year, works ex people do have a slight advantage. Q: What is considered as work ex in TISS GD/PI? Ans: Usually more than 2 years of working constitutes work ex. Q: Are work ex candidates asked questions from work ex? Ans: As far as our batch experience goes, work ex candidate is asked question related to his/her work ex.

Q: Are fresher candidates asked questions from their graduation? Ans: As far as our batch experience goes, fresher candidate is asked question related to his/her subject of graduation. Q Some of the dos and donts in TISS GD Ans: Dos

Do make eye contact with your entire group Keep your points crisp Speak at a measured pace - neither too fast nor too slow Allow others to speak Address others respectfully as 'My friend' or 'My colleague' Agree to disagree Try to take control if the GD is becoming a fish market or going off the topic to issue at hand . Try to have some opinions regarding various political and economic issues, substantiated with data

Donts

Don't cut people off when they are speaking Don't talk too much or too little Don't make arguments personal or comment on another's personal values Don't shout Avoid making GD a fish market

Q: Are the GDs and interviews conducted by the HR faculty only? Ans: No, faculty of different schools and industry representative are also involved. Q: Will the GD/PI be conducted in Mumbai only? Ans: yes Q: will we be provided accommodation in campus during the GD/PI? Ans: Yes it was provided last year against a nominal charge of Rs 100/day. Q: Is there a Waiting List for the final selection for HRM & LR course? Ans: Last year waiting list was not declared, but few candidates in top of waiting list did get final calls, as few students in first selection list did not accept admission. Q: Do I have a disadvantage if I have applied to more than one schoolex HRM and Development studies? Ans: Since this is the first time when the entrance test of different branches are taking place together, it is difficult on our part to make any concrete comments but we feel it should not work against you.