IIM Rohtak Takes the Hermes Dialogue 6.0, Demonstrating Sixth-best Policy Debate.

National Debate on Energy Security brings into limelight the increasing importance of geopolitics in management training.

IIM Rohtak was the winner in Dialogue 6.0, a national level debate competition organized by Hermes held in Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH). Top institutions participated in the event and the representation was related to 12 countries throughout India. It is an indication of the increased incorporation of global policy discourse into management education.

Theme: Energy Independence and Global Security.

The 2026 issue was dedicated to a topical and urgent topic whether countries should be more concerned about energy independence as the guarantor of global energy security in the face of increased geopolitical tensions. The discussion has highlighted the fact that energy is not only an economic need nowadays but also a strategic instrument that defines international relations and policies on national security.

Top Performers

Team LeBroom, the winning team of IIM Rohtak, is noteworthy due to the clarity of its argumentation, depth of analysis, and systematic policy argumentation. Team Magnus of FORE School of Management was ranked second with Team Strategy of Shri Ram College of Commerce coming in as second runners-up. Participants of such reputed institutions like IIM Udaipur, IIT Patna and International Management Institute were also finalists.

Competition Structure

The event was conducted in a multi-stage testing process to test various skills. It started with an online evaluation, and then a round based on submissions of cases. The last phase was modeled after international diplomatic forums, whereby people acted as representatives of various nations and negotiated policy stances, just as they would in international forums such as the United Nations and G20.

Broader Significance

The Dialogue 6.0 by Hermes brings to the fore the trend of business schools shifting away traditional management training. Such platforms equip students by introducing arguments about global policy and geopolitics to solve intricate real-life problems. This will enhance decision-making, critical thinking, and leadership in a globalized world that is becoming more interconnected.

Exam-Focused Key Points

• Energy security is a secure and affordable supply of energy resources.
• The global energy supply chains are greatly affected by geopolitics.
• Debates on simulation help in improving analytical capabilities and understanding of policies.
• India boasts of some of the best management institutes, with IIMs.
• One of the concerns of global strategic debate is energy independence.