Complete WAT Topics Guide
- WAT Topics 2025 List: Key Trends & Distribution
- WAT Abstract Topics (40 Topics)
- WAT Business Topics (35 Topics)
- WAT Social Topics (30 Topics)
- WAT Factual Topics: Policy & Current Affairs (35 Topics)
- Technology & Innovation Topics (30 Topics)
- Ethics & Values Topics (20 Topics)
- School-Specific Topics: IIM A/B/C/L/K/I & XLRI
- List of Current GD Topics (Overlap with WAT)
- Top 10 GD Topics List Image + Practice Schedule
- GD Topics List PDF Download
- How to Approach Any WAT Topic
- Key Takeaways
Here’s a shift most candidates miss: 62% of 2025 WAT topics were abstract—up from just 45% in 2022. IIMs are increasingly testing how you think, not what news you’ve read. Yet most students still spend hours memorizing current affairs while barely practicing the abstract topics that dominate actual WATs.
This comprehensive WAT topics list contains 200+ verified topics organized by category, difficulty level, and school preference. Whether you’re targeting IIM-A’s case-based AWT or IIM-K’s notoriously philosophical prompts like “Blue is better than Yellow,” you’ll find exactly what you need to prepare strategically.
The same topics work for both WAT and GD—the difference is execution. Use this as your complete list of current GD topics as well, with specific guidance on adapting your approach for each format.
WAT Topics 2025 List: Key Trends & Distribution
Understanding the WAT topics 2025 list requires knowing what’s actually being asked. Here’s the verified distribution from InsideIIM’s analysis:
Topic Distribution by Category
| Category | Topics in Bank | Difficulty | Primary Schools |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAT Abstract Topics | 40 topics | ★★★ Challenging | IIM-L, IIM-K, IIM Shillong |
| WAT Business Topics | 35 topics | ★★ Moderate | IIM-A (AWT), IIM-B, ISB |
| WAT Social Topics | 30 topics | ★★ Moderate | XLRI, SPJIMR, TISS |
| WAT Factual Topics (Policy) | 35 topics | ★★ Moderate | IIM-B, IIM-C |
| Technology Topics | 30 topics | ★★ Moderate | IIM-B, IIM-C, ISB |
| Ethics Topics | 20 topics | ★★ Moderate | XLRI, SPJIMR |
| Environment Topics | 15 topics | ★★ Moderate | IIM-B, SPJIMR, XLRI |
The shift from 45% (2022) to 62% (2025) abstract topics is significant. IIMs want to see how you think, not what news you’ve memorized. If you’re only preparing current affairs, you’re preparing for 25% of topics while ignoring 62%. Prioritize abstract topic practice.
Difficulty Rating Guide
| Rating | Meaning | % of Topics |
|---|---|---|
| ★ Straightforward | Clear stance possible, familiar territory | ~20% |
| ★★ Moderate | Requires balanced analysis, multiple valid angles | ~55% |
| ★★★ Challenging | Abstract/complex, multiple valid interpretations | ~25% |
WAT Abstract Topics (40 Topics)
Most common at: IIM Lucknow, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Shillong
Strategy: Find a concrete interpretation, connect to business/life, use metaphors
Highly Abstract (★★★) — The IIM-K Specialty
These are the topics that panic most candidates. IIM Kozhikode is legendary for topics like “Blue is better than Yellow” — there’s no “right answer,” only creative interpretation.
1. Blue is better than Yellow
2. The sound of silence
3. Black and white in a colorful world
4. The space between words
5. If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it…
6. The weight of expectations
7. Everything old is new again
8. The courage to be disliked
9. The sound of one hand clapping
10. Shadows define the light
11. The last drop makes the cup overflow
12. Between the lines
13. The road not taken
14. Still waters run deep
15. The unexamined life is not worth living
Philosophical Abstract (★★★)
16. Time is money
17. Unity in diversity
18. Knowledge is power
19. Practice makes perfect
20. Necessity is the mother of invention
21. A pen is mightier than a sword
22. Actions speak louder than words
23. Fortune favors the bold
24. Where there’s a will, there’s a way
25. Change is the only constant
Life & Career Abstract (★★)
26. Success is a journey, not a destination
27. The best things in life are free
28. It’s lonely at the top
29. Good things come to those who wait
30. You can’t have your cake and eat it too
31. Slow and steady wins the race
32. The early bird catches the worm
33. Look before you leap
34. All that glitters is not gold
35. Too many cooks spoil the broth
36. A stitch in time saves nine
37. Rome wasn’t built in a day
38. When in Rome, do as the Romans do
39. The grass is always greener on the other side
40. Better late than never
WAT Business Topics (35 Topics)
Most common at: IIM Ahmedabad (AWT), IIM Bangalore, ISB
Strategy: Use real company examples, apply frameworks (PESTLE, stakeholder analysis), show business acumen
Corporate Strategy (★★)
1. Is profit the only responsibility of business?
2. Should companies prioritize shareholders or stakeholders?
3. Is disruption overrated?
4. Should family businesses go professional?
5. Is diversification a sound corporate strategy?
6. Should companies focus on growth or profitability?
7. Is first-mover advantage real?
8. Should startups prioritize unit economics from day one?
9. Is the conglomerate model dead?
10. Should companies build or buy capabilities?
Leadership & Management (★★)
11. Are leaders born or made?
12. Is servant leadership effective in competitive industries?
13. Should CEOs be activists on social issues?
14. Is micromanagement always bad?
15. Should companies hire for culture fit or diversity?
16. Is hierarchical structure outdated?
17. Should executives have significant skin in the game?
18. Is remote work sustainable for large organizations?
19. Should companies have mandatory mentorship programs?
20. Is work-life balance a myth in leadership roles?
Markets & Competition (★★)
21. Is competition always good for consumers?
22. Should big tech be broken up?
23. Is the gig economy sustainable long-term?
24. Should companies pursue vertical integration?
25. Is pricing power more important than market share?
26. Should Indian companies go global or focus domestic?
27. Is the subscription model the future of business?
28. Should companies pursue zero-margin strategies?
29. Is brand loyalty declining in the digital age?
30. Should companies prioritize innovation or execution?
IIM-A Style Case Topics (★★)
IIM Ahmedabad uses the AWT (Analytical Writing Test) format—case-based scenarios requiring structured analysis and recommendations.
31. A tech startup has 18 months runway. Pivot, raise, or sell?
32. Company faces 30% attrition. Diagnose and recommend.
33. Analyze a pricing dilemma for a SaaS company entering India.
34. E-commerce company: Quick commerce vs profitability trade-off.
35. A manufacturing firm must decide between automation vs employment.
WAT Factual Topics: Policy & Current Affairs (35 Topics)
Most common at: IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Indore
Strategy: Know recent data, understand multiple perspectives, balance with clear stance
WAT factual topics test your awareness of current affairs and policy debates. Unlike abstract topics, these require specific knowledge—but the approach remains analytical, not just factual recall.
Governance & Politics (★★)
1. Should India have a Presidential system?
2. Should voting be made compulsory in India?
3. Is One Nation One Election a good idea?
4. Should India adopt simultaneous elections?
5. Is reservation policy still relevant?
6. Should the minimum voting age be lowered to 16?
7. Is the Right to Information Act effective?
8. Should India have term limits for legislators?
9. Is coalition government good for India?
10. Should the death penalty be abolished in India?
11. Is federalism under threat in India?
12. Is the Indian judiciary too activist?
Economic Policy (★★)
13. Is economic growth compatible with environmental sustainability?
14. Should India focus on manufacturing or services?
15. Is Make in India achieving its objectives?
16. Should India adopt protectionism or free trade?
17. Is the gig economy exploitative or liberating?
18. Should India have a wealth tax?
19. Is privatization the solution to inefficient PSUs?
20. Should India ban cryptocurrency?
21. Is the Indian startup ecosystem in a bubble?
22. Should minimum wage be significantly increased?
23. Is UBI (Universal Basic Income) viable for India?
International Relations (★★)
24. Should India ban Chinese apps and investments?
25. Is non-alignment relevant in today’s world?
26. Should India seek a permanent UN Security Council seat?
27. Is QUAD the answer to China’s rise?
28. Should India increase defense spending?
29. Is globalization reversing?
30. Should India take a stand on Russia-Ukraine conflict?
31. Is brain drain good or bad for India?
32. Should India prioritize neighborhood first policy?
33. Is the world moving towards de-dollarization?
34. Should India pursue more Free Trade Agreements?
35. Is India ready to be a global manufacturing hub?
Technology & Innovation Topics (30 Topics)
Most common at: IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, ISB
Strategy: Balance optimism with risks, use recent examples, consider societal impact
AI & Automation (★★)
1. Will AI replace human jobs or create new ones?
2. Should AI development be regulated?
3. Is AI in education an enabler or a crutch?
4. The ethical implications of AI in hiring
5. Should AI-generated content be labeled?
6. Is autonomous vehicles’ moral dilemma solvable?
7. Should India develop its own AI models or use global ones?
8. Is AI creativity genuine or mere pattern matching?
9. Will AI democratize or concentrate power?
10. Should there be an AI pause?
Digital Society (★★)
11. Is social media a threat to democracy?
12. Technology connects but isolates
13. Should social media have age restrictions?
14. Is digital detox necessary or overblown?
15. Should tech platforms be responsible for user content?
16. Is the right to be forgotten compatible with free speech?
17. Should influencer marketing be regulated?
18. Is online anonymity more harmful than helpful?
19. Deepfakes and truth in the digital age
20. Should there be a ‘digital public square’?
Data & Privacy (★★)
21. Is privacy dead in the digital age?
22. Should data be treated as a public good?
23. Is surveillance capitalism acceptable?
24. Should individuals own their data?
25. Is India’s data protection framework adequate?
26. Should government have backdoor access to encrypted communications?
27. Is biometric data collection by private companies acceptable?
28. Should there be algorithmic transparency laws?
29. Is the ‘nothing to hide’ argument valid?
30. Should tech companies be broken up?
Ethics & Values Topics (20 Topics)
Most common at: XLRI (Jesuit values-based), SPJIMR
Strategy: Show genuine concern for social issues, balance profit and purpose, avoid extreme positions
Business Ethics (★★)
1. Is profit compatible with purpose?
2. Does corporate social responsibility go far enough?
3. Should companies take political stands?
4. Is greenwashing worse than doing nothing?
5. Should whistleblowers be protected or prosecuted?
6. Is aggressive tax avoidance ethical?
7. Should companies refuse to do business with unethical regimes?
8. Is planned obsolescence ethical?
9. Should executives be personally liable for corporate crimes?
10. Is it ethical to profit from addiction (tobacco, gambling, social media)?
Social & Personal Ethics (★★)
11. Is it ethical to buy from Amazon/Walmart knowing impact on small businesses?
12. Should we judge historical figures by today’s moral standards?
13. Is cancel culture a force for good or harm?
14. Should there be limits to free speech?
15. Is meritocracy a myth?
16. Should the rich pay significantly higher taxes?
17. Is philanthropy an adequate substitute for fair wages?
18. Should we prioritize equality of opportunity or equality of outcome?
19. Is cultural appropriation always wrong?
20. Should inherited wealth be limited?
School-Specific Topics: IIM A/B/C/L/K/I & XLRI
Each IIM has distinct topic preferences. Knowing your target school’s style is crucial for focused preparation.
School-Specific Format Quick Reference
| School | Time | Words | Topic Style | WAT Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIM-A | 30 min | 300-350 | Case-based (AWT) | 10% |
| IIM-B | 20 min | 250-300 | Policy + Current Affairs | 15% (HIGHEST) |
| IIM-C | 15-20 min | 250 | Opinion-based, Grammar strict | 10% |
| IIM-L | 15 min | 200-250 | Abstract topics | 10% |
| IIM-K | 20 min | 250-300 | HIGHLY Abstract | 10% |
| IIM-I | 10 min | 200 | Current Affairs (FASTEST) | 10% |
| XLRI | 20 min | 250-300 | Ethics + Social Justice | Variable |
IIM Ahmedabad (AWT) — Case-Based Topics
• A tech startup has 18 months runway. Pivot, raise, or sell?
• Company faces 30% attrition. Diagnose and recommend.
• Analyze a pricing dilemma for a SaaS company entering India.
• E-commerce company: Quick commerce vs profitability trade-off.
Approach: Structure as Problem → Analysis → Recommendation → Justification. Use frameworks. Quantify. Take decisive stand.
IIM Bangalore — Policy Focus Topics
• Should India have a Presidential system?
• Is economic growth compatible with environmental sustainability?
• Remote work: Temporary trend or permanent shift?
• Is social media a threat to democracy?
• Should India adopt a population control policy?
Key: IIM-B has 15% weightage (HIGHEST). Grammar strictness is real. Economic reasoning appreciated.
IIM Calcutta — Opinion-Based Topics
• Is higher education overrated?
• Should voting be made compulsory in India?
• The rise of gig economy: Opportunity or exploitation?
• Is meritocracy a myth?
• Technology connects but isolates.
Key: EXTREMELY strict on grammar. Take clear stance early. 250 words is SHORT—every word must count.
IIM Lucknow — Abstract Topics
• The sound of silence
• Black and white in a colorful world
• The weight of expectations
• Everything old is new again
• The courage to be disliked
Key: 15 minutes is VERY short. Connect abstract to concrete quickly. Metaphors and analogies work well.
IIM Kozhikode — Highly Abstract Topics
• Blue is better than Yellow
• If a tree falls in a forest…
• The space between words
• The sound of one hand clapping
• Shadows define the light
Key: Don’t panic at weird topics—that’s the point. Creativity heavily rewarded. Find unique angle nobody else will think of.
IIM Indore — Current Affairs (Fastest WAT)
• Should India ban Chinese apps?
• Is the startup ecosystem in a bubble?
• Impact of AI on Indian IT industry
• Electric vehicles in India: Reality check
Key: ONLY 10 minutes—extreme time pressure. 1 min planning, 8 min writing, 1 min review. ONE example maximum.
XLRI — Ethics Focus Topics
• Is profit compatible with purpose?
• Does corporate social responsibility go far enough?
• The ethical implications of AI in hiring
• Can business be a force for good?
• Should companies take political stands?
Key: Jesuit institution—values-based selection. Show genuine concern for social issues. Balance profit and purpose. Reference Tata, not just Western companies.
List of Current GD Topics (Overlap with WAT)
The same topics work for both WAT and GD—the difference is execution. Here’s your list of current GD topics organized for quick reference.
High-Frequency Current GD Topics (2025)
These topics appear repeatedly across IIMs, XLRI, and other B-schools for both GD and WAT:
AI & Technology:
• AI will create more jobs than it destroys
• Should AI development be paused?
• Is social media destroying democracy?
• Technology connects but isolates
Economy & Policy:
• Is the gig economy exploitative?
• Should India ban cryptocurrency?
• Is the startup bubble about to burst?
• One Nation One Election: Good or bad?
Environment:
• Climate action vs economic growth
• Electric vehicles: Hype or revolution?
• Is corporate greenwashing worse than doing nothing?
Society:
• Is higher education overrated?
• Work-life balance: Myth or reality?
• Is meritocracy a myth?
• Remote work: Temporary trend or permanent shift?
GD vs WAT Execution Differences
| Aspect | GD Approach | WAT Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | Brief, invitational, sets framework for discussion | Hook + clear thesis in first 2-3 sentences |
| Arguments | Bullet points, adaptable to flow | Developed paragraphs with PEEL structure |
| Examples | Quick mentions, save detail for entries | One developed example with specifics |
| Counter-arguments | Respond to others’ points | Preemptively acknowledge and address |
| Conclusion | Summarize if given chance | Must have strong closing 40-50 words |
| Recovery | Can recover with strong entries | First impression largely fixed |
Top 10 GD Topics List Image + Practice Schedule
Many candidates search for “Top 10 GD topics list image” for quick revision. Here are the most important topics across all categories, plus a strategic 4-week practice schedule.
Top 10 Must-Prepare Topics (Visual Summary)
1. AI & Jobs: Will AI replace human jobs or create new ones?
2. Social Media: Is social media a threat to democracy?
3. Gig Economy: Opportunity or exploitation?
4. Education: Is higher education overrated?
5. Climate vs Growth: Is economic growth compatible with sustainability?
6. Remote Work: Temporary trend or permanent shift?
7. Profit & Purpose: Is profit the only responsibility of business?
8. Privacy: Is privacy dead in the digital age?
9. Meritocracy: Is meritocracy a myth?
10. Abstract: The sound of silence (Practice abstract thinking!)
4-Week Practice Schedule
| Week | Focus | Topics to Practice |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Opinion Essays | 1. Should India adopt a presidential system? 2. Is technology making us less human? 3. Should voting be made compulsory? 4. Reservation policy: Boon or bane? 5. Should euthanasia be legalized in India? |
| Week 2 | Abstract Topics | 1. Time is money 2. Unity in diversity 3. Knowledge is power 4. Practice makes perfect 5. Necessity is the mother of invention |
| Week 3 | Current Affairs | 1. Chandrayaan-3 and India’s space ambitions 2. One Nation One Election 3. Population: Asset or liability for India? 4. Gig economy: Future of work? 5. Data privacy vs national security |
| Week 4 | School-Specific | Practice 5 topics matching your target school’s style from the school-specific sections above |
Complete at least 40 practice essays (4-5 per category) + all topics from your target school’s actual list. Research shows 20-30 mentor-reviewed essays is the sweet spot—after 3-4 essays, patterns become clear. Quality of feedback matters more than quantity of essays.
GD Topics List PDF Download
Many students search for “GD topics list PDF” for offline practice. Here’s what you need:
Our comprehensive PDF includes:
✓ 200+ WAT topics organized by category
✓ Difficulty ratings for each topic
✓ School-specific topic preferences
✓ 4-week practice schedule
✓ Framework quick reference
✓ Top 10 must-prepare topics
Enter your email to receive the free PDF with all topics + bonus practice templates.
How to Approach Any WAT Topic
Having the WAT topics list is just the start—knowing how to APPROACH any topic is what separates high scorers from average ones.
The Framework Selection Strategy
12 Frameworks for Any Topic
| Framework | Best For | Structure |
|---|---|---|
| Pros vs Cons | Opinion topics, policy debates | Benefits → Drawbacks → Your stance |
| Problems vs Solutions | Current affairs, social issues | Identify problems → Propose solutions |
| Stakeholder Perspectives | Business, ethics topics | View from each affected party |
| PESTLE | Policy, macro topics | Political, Economic, Social, Tech, Legal, Environmental |
| Temporal | Change topics, evolution | Past → Present → Future |
| Cause and Effect | Problem analysis | Why it happened → What resulted |
| Compare and Contrast | A vs B topics | Similarities → Differences → Synthesis |
| Micro vs Macro | Economic, social topics | Individual level → System level |
| Short-term vs Long-term | Strategy, policy | Immediate impacts → Lasting effects |
| Theory vs Practice | Academic topics | Ideal → Reality → Bridge |
| Ideal vs Reality | Abstract, philosophical | What should be → What is → Path forward |
| Different POVs | Controversial topics | Conservative → Progressive → Your synthesis |
The Balance vs Fence-Sitting Trap
- “Both sides have merit, it depends on the situation”
- “There are advantages and disadvantages to both”
- “Only time will tell which approach is better”
- “It varies from person to person”
- Acknowledge complexity THEN provide SPECIFIC multi-layered solutions
- Use verbs: WHO does WHAT and HOW
- Take a stance while showing you understand nuance
- “While X has merit, Y is more critical because…”
Approaching Abstract Topics (The 3-Step Method)
62% of 2025 topics were abstract. Here’s how to handle them:
Step 1: INTERPRET (30 seconds)
• What does this LITERALLY mean?
• What could this METAPHORICALLY mean?
• Pick ONE interpretation and commit
Step 2: CONNECT (to something concrete)
• Business: How does this apply to organizations?
• Life: How does this apply to personal growth?
• Society: How does this apply to current issues?
Step 3: ILLUSTRATE (with specific example)
• Ground your abstract interpretation in a concrete case
Example: “Blue is better than Yellow”
Interpret: Blue = calm, strategic, long-term; Yellow = bright, impulsive, attention-seeking
Connect: In leadership, quiet competence (blue) often outperforms flashy showmanship (yellow)
Illustrate: Satya Nadella’s measured Microsoft transformation vs. WeWork’s spectacular collapse
Key Takeaways
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1Abstract Topics Dominate (62%)The shift from 45% (2022) to 62% (2025) abstract topics is significant. IIMs want to see how you think, not what news you’ve memorized. Prioritize abstract topic practice over current affairs cramming.
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2Know Your Target School’s StyleIIM-A = case-based. IIM-B = policy (15% weight!). IIM-K = highly abstract. IIM-I = fastest (10 min). XLRI = ethics. Practice topics matching your target school’s documented preferences.
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3Same Topics Work for GD and WATFrameworks (PESTLE, stakeholder analysis, etc.) are identical. The difference is execution: GD = verbal points with flexibility, WAT = sustained written argument with precision. Master one topic, use it in both formats.
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4Choose Framework by Depth, Not TheoryThe “best” framework is the one where you have the GREATEST DEPTH of content. Don’t force PESTLE if you can’t fill it. Use stakeholder analysis if you have strong examples for each party. Substance beats structure.
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5Practice 40+ Essays Across CategoriesComplete at least 40 practice essays (4-5 per category) + all topics from your target school’s actual list. 20-30 mentor-reviewed essays is the sweet spot. After 3-4 essays, patterns become clear.
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Practiced 5 WAT abstract topics
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Practiced 5 WAT business topics
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Practiced 5 WAT social topics
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Practiced 5 WAT factual/policy topics
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Practiced 5 technology topics
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Practiced 5 ethics topics
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Practiced all topics from target school’s list
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Completed 4-week practice schedule
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Got mentor feedback on at least 20 essays
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Mastered at least 3 frameworks