Bishop Cotton School (BCS), Shimla, emerged victorious at the prestigious Annual Slater Debates, 2026, after a closely contested and intellectually charged final against Sherwood College, Nainital.

The final witnessed exceptional oratory, sharp rebuttals and compelling arguments from both teams, keeping the audience engaged throughout. Demonstrating remarkable poise, clarity of thought and persuasive delivery, the BCS team ultimately edged past their opponents to claim the coveted trophy on home ground. Rajveer Kochhar was adjudged Best Speaker for his articulation, confidence and impactful debating skills.

Jyoti Malhotra, Editor-in-Chief, The Tribune Group of Newspapers, was the chief guest on the occasion. In her address, she lauded the participants for their articulate expression, critical thinking and the spirit of healthy debate. The chief guest advised the students to stay curious and hungry to find out what they want to do with their lives, with their resources and abilities. "Just be curious about the world around you every day of your lives," she said.

Further, she asked them to stay "foolish". "By that I mean recognise that there is something that you don't know. And don't be afraid to ask for something that you don't know. Unless you know that you don't know, you will never be able to learn about the world around you," she said. She further advised the students to read extensively and expose themselves to various points of view for a better, bigger and balanced perspective.

The event concluded on a celebratory note as Bishop Cotton School, the host institution, proudly received the trophy amidst applause and admiration. The Slater Debates, a platform for nurturing critical thinking, public speaking and intellectual exchange among young minds, drew participation from leading schools across the country.