In response to a question about how to differentiate between a good and a bad leader, Acharya Prashant states that he will not take any names, as it is a matter of principle. He explains that no person is inherently good or bad, as they can change. His work is to reform people, so he cannot permanently label anyone. The binary of good and bad does not apply; instead, he prefers to discuss principles. He advises that one should understand these principles and choose a leader accordingly. He then outlines several criteria for identifying a good leader. The first is to judge a leader by their thoughts (vichaarana) rather than their personality (vyaktitva). A leader should be intellectually superior, which can be assessed by the books they have written or their favorite books. The second criterion is that a true leader is one who is prepared to take you on a difficult path for your betterment, even at the risk of losing an election. The majority often chooses the easy path, but goodness, truth, and greatness require effort. A leader who is willing to be rejected for showing the right, difficult path is a true leader. Acharya Prashant further elaborates that a bad leader will ask you to believe, not to think. They will try to awaken faith (vishwas) instead of discretion (vivek). Discretion arises from thought, which in turn raises doubts and questions. A bad leader dislikes questions and surrounds themselves with sycophants. In contrast, a good leader is humble, open to dialogue, and ready to admit their faults. They would say, "I might be wrong, please correct me." Another sign of a good leader is their focus on major issues. They should have a broad vision and address significant global challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss, rather than getting entangled in petty, local disputes. A leader who is only concerned with trivial matters cannot address the larger, more important issues facing the world. Finally, Acharya Prashant asserts that India, at its current juncture, needs to create a new future for itself. It requires a self-made leader who has weathered numerous storms and stands on their own merit, not on the crutches of tradition, family lineage, lies, or deceit. Such a leader would be an example of how one can achieve a position by standing alone and walking the path of truth. This is the kind of ideal that India needs today. He emphasizes that one who is influenced by gross, material things will only make you more material, which is the nature of an animal. A leader should be judged on their consciousness and thought, not their physical appearance or personality.