Rao feels that apart from his academic background, public speaking skills, integrity, extra-curricular activities and social skills led to his selection. "My father is a government official. No one in my family is in politics. The fact that I have represented Haryana in a bowling championship and C K Nayudu cricket tournament surely helped me get selected," he added.

Deepinder Hooda, Congress MP from Rohtak and a member of the team that is assisting Rahul Gandhi in the selection process, said: "The basic qualities we look for are leadership, integrity, awareness, relevant work experience, some affiliation with the Congress, communication skills, and academics. But a special skill that will enable the individual to grow and also help the party is always welcome. For example, one of the candidates is a web designer. As far as communication skills are concerned, the thrust is not on fluency of language as much as it is on articulation and an ability to strike a rapport with the target audience the potential leader is seeking to represent."

The talent search programme, which was initiated a few months ago, is progressing state by state. It involves selecting leaders for the NSUI and Youth Congress and specifies the maximum age limits as 27 and 37, respectively. Currently, selections are underway in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Mumbai. The selection process is stringent. For example, out of the 60 people who were initially shortlisted from Himachal Pradesh, only one was selected.

Manmohan Katoch, who was selected as Youth Congress president of Himachal Pradesh, said: "Earlier, people like me would have never got a chance to rise in politics. Regional politicians always promote their own family members. My father works as a clerk and I come from a small village in Kangra. I was a popular dancer and in college, I also honed my public speaking skills. Since I was popular, I was asked to organise a hunger strike to get a school built in my village. I was successful in getting a school for the village and this impressed the panel."

Those selected were personally intimated by Rahul Gandhi and were apprised of their responsibilities for the next six months. There is a half-yearly review of performance and further setting of goals. Congress leaders associated with the programme include Sachin Pilot, Ashok Gehlot and Jitin Prasada.