Vada, Jalpa and Vitanda- three types of debates

The first sutra of Goutama`s Nyaya Sutra lists the sixteen categories through which the knowledge of the supreme felicity can be obtained. Out of the sixteen, three are listed as Vada, Jalpa and Vitanda. Vada, Jalpa and Vitanda are translated as Discussions, Wranglings and Cavils in English language.

Vada is a genuine debate between the proponent and the opponent to reach the Truth. Vada is generally between learned persons who make effort to reach a logical conclusion.Vada type of debate would take place between teacher and student or between students.  

Jalpa is an argumentation where a party tries to win the arguments by means fair or foul by use of tricks, more of the Sophists type. Jalpa type of debate would take place between teachers belonging to two different schools.

In Vitanda, the arguer is only interested in attacking and destroying the position taken by the opponent. 

It is not that Jalpa and Vitanda are used by only non-learned persons. Rather Jalpa and Vitanda are like the thorny fences to guard the growth of the seeds.