Prime Minister Narendra Modi will formally launch the School of Ultimate Leadership (SOUL) in Gujarat on February 21. The institution aims to bring 100,000 youth with no political background into public service and leadership roles.

On Friday, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel performed the ‘Bhoomi Poojan’ ceremony for the institute, marking the beginning of construction for a ₹150-crore state-of-the-art campus near Gujarat Biotechnology University in GIFT City. The 22-acre campus is expected to be completed within 24 months.

According to a government release, SOUL will operate as an independent, non-partisan institution with no government or university affiliations. Once fully operational in March 2027, the institution will offer programs ranging from one-week short-term courses to long-term programs lasting 9 to 12 months. The curriculum will focus on training candidates for public service sectors, including health, education, rural development, and sanitation.

Admissions will be merit-based, requiring candidates to submit a letter of intent and undergo panel interviews. Elected representatives and public service officials will receive training free of cost, while other candidates will pay a nominal fee.

SOUL has already conducted several pre-launch initiatives, including a two-day leadership workshop with the Ministry of Education on implementing the National Education Policy, a brainstorming session for the Chief Minister’s Office staff, and a workshop for MLAs on understanding the state budget.

Until the permanent campus becomes operational, SOUL will run short-term programs and specialized seminars from temporary facilities. A team of private-sector professionals will oversee the development of non-degree programs designed to cultivate leadership and governance skills.