Two students of Galgotias University have secured first place at the Verdict National Debate Competition held during Cognizance 2026 at Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, the university said.
Rahat Shuja, a third-year B.Tech student in Electronics and Communication Engineering, and Khushi Kumari, a first-year MCA student, emerged winners among participants from institutions across India.
“Attending Cognizance at IIT Roorkee itself was a significant opportunity. The exposure and faculty support helped us compete with top students nationwide,” Rahat Shuja said.
Khushi Kumari said representing the university at IIT Roorkee was an “unforgettable experience”, adding that the team focused on clarity, strategy and composure during the competition.
The university said the competition assessed participants on critical thinking, evaluation of diverse viewpoints and the ability to present structured arguments under pressure.
It added that academic programmes, along with platforms such as debates and research forums, contribute to building communication and analytical skills among students.
Cognizance is an annual technical festival hosted by IIT Roorkee, drawing participation from students across the country.