Strategy for PGPX Extempore Topics

First understand what the panel is actually testing

Extempore at PGPX is not about factual depth. It is about executive maturity.

They are testing four things simultaneously:

1. Ability to think under time pressure

2. Structured reasoning on ambiguous issues

3. Balanced judgement rather than extreme opinions

4. Communication clarity suitable for leadership roles

So your preparation must optimize for structure + judgement, not memorization.

Typical Buckets:

• Policy and Governance (GST 2.0, Disinvestment vs Privatization, High speed trains vs poverty etc)

• Geopolitics and International Relations (India China decoupling, H1B, India Russia oil etc)

• Economy and Business (Startups overhyped, Make in India vs MAGA, Real money gaming)

• Technology and Society (AI jobs debate, AI in education exams, Mental health hype)

• Ethics and Institutions (B-school rankings, Vote chori allegation, Private universities profit motive)

Why this matters?

Each bucket has one dominant framework that works best. You do not need a new approach every time.

60 second thinking strategy

Before frameworks, lock this habit.

10 seconds Clarify what the topic is actually asking. Most topics are framed emotionally but test policy judgement.

20 seconds Identify stakeholders. At least three.

20 seconds Pick one core trade-off. Growth vs equity, autonomy vs regulation, short term vs long term.

10 seconds Decide your stance. Balanced, not fence sitting.

Core frameworks that work across most topics

Framework 1: Stakeholder Impact Framework

Best for policy, ethics, geopolitics topics.

Use this when topic has words like should, allowed, reinstated, not be done.

Structure:

Impact on government or institutions

Impact on citizens or consumers

Impact on long term national interest

Framework 2: Short term vs Long term Trade-off

Best for economic and political topics.

Structure:

1. Immediate benefits or risks

2. Structural long term implications

3. Whether short term gains justify long term cost

Framework 3: Pros, Cons, Guardrails

Best for controversial topics.

Structure:

1. Why the idea exists or why it is attractive

2. Legitimate concerns or downsides

3. Conditions or safeguards under which it can work

Framework 4: India Context Filter

Mandatory for PGPX.

Always answer through:

1. Scale of population

2. Institutional maturity

3. Informal economy realities

This is what differentiates IIMA answers from generic MBA answers.

Framework 5: If I were a decision maker

Use this for policy maker questions.

Structure:

1. What would be my objective

2. What constraints I face

3. What phased approach I would take

Recommended speaking structure for 90 seconds

This structure works almost universally.

1. One line reframing of the issue

2. One framework based breakdown

3. Clear but nuanced conclusion

Example flow“This issue is essentially a trade-off between X and Y. From a short term perspective..., however in the long term... Therefore, my view is…”

Avoid slogans. Avoid activism language.

What not to do in IIMA PGPX extempore

Avoid these common mistakes:

1. Taking extreme moral positions

2. Overloading with facts or data points

3. Sounding like a news panelist

4. Saying everyone is right and wrong simultaneously

5. Ending without a conclusion

Neutrality without judgement is seen as weakness.

How to prepare systematically for similar topics

A practical way to prepare for PGPX extempore is to follow a disciplined four step approach.

Start by building a base of around twenty broad topics spanning the economy, geopolitics, technology, education, and governance, so that no prompt feels completely unfamiliar.

Next, practice framework switching by taking the same topic and answering it using two different lenses, such as a trade off view and a stakeholder view, which builds flexibility and prevents rigid thinking.

Then move to time bound practice by limiting yourself to sixty seconds of thinking and ninety seconds of speaking, recording your responses and reviewing them to spot issues in structure, pace, and clarity.

Finally, stress test every answer by asking what a well informed person who strongly disagrees with you would say, as this immediately improves balance and maturity in your judgement.

The most important mindset shift to internalize is that extempore is not about sounding clever or opinionated, but about demonstrating calm, structured, and responsible thinking under pressure, the kind expected from a future business leader.

PGPX extempore is not about being right.

It is about showing that if you were placed in a leadership role tomorrow, you would think clearly, responsibly, and structurally under pressure.

If your answer sounds like it could be said by a CXO or policy advisor, you are on the right track.