Ram Mandir Trust Names Retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra as First CEO

The Ram Mandir Trust has appointed retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra as its first CEO, bringing a senior defence officer into the temple’s administrative leadership.

Ram Mandir Trust Appoints First CEO

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has appointed retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra as its first Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The decision was announced on Wednesday, September 2, as part of a major administrative restructuring of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

Mishra, who previously served as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Air Force’s Western Air Command, will oversee the administrative functioning of the temple.

His appointment comes amid changes within the trust, including the stepping down of General Secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra following allegations related to donation theft at the temple.

Several Candidates Considered for CEO Post

The trust considered several experienced candidates before selecting Jeetendra Mishra for the newly created position. The contenders reportedly included former IPS officer Rajesh Pandey, former IAS officer Dinesh Chandra, retired IAS officer Yogeshwar Ram Mishra, and former IPS officer Paresh Saxena.

The selection process involved multiple stages of evaluation before the final appointment was made.

Three New Trustees Appointed

Alongside the appointment of the first CEO, the Ram Temple Trust also inducted three new trustees. The newly appointed trustees are Mahesh Bhagchandka, based in Delhi, Madan Mohan Pandey, a resident of Ayodhya, and Nirmala Yadav from Shikohabad.

The appointments were discussed during a key meeting of the trust as part of its broader administrative restructuring.

Mahesh Bhagchandka is reportedly associated with the family of late Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Ashok Singhal. His appointment, along with those of Pandey and Yadav, forms part of the trust’s latest organisational changes.

Who Is Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra?

Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra is a highly decorated former Indian Air Force officer with more than 38 years of military service.

He has been awarded the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal (SYSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) for his service.

Mishra served as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Air Command and was associated with Operation Sindoor. He retired from the Indian Air Force on April 30, 2026.

During his long military career, Mishra held several important command, operational and staff positions.

Mishra Held Several Key Military Positions

His previous assignments included commanding a fighter squadron and serving as Chief Test Pilot at the Aircraft & Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE).

He also served as Air Officer Commanding at two frontline air bases and held senior positions related to operational planning and assessment.

His other assignments included Principal Director (ASR), Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Projects) at Air Headquarters, and Commandant of ASTE.

Mishra also served as Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, with responsibilities covering areas such as doctrine, organisation, training and operations.

His extensive experience in leadership, planning and administration is expected to be relevant to his new role as the Ram Mandir Trust’s first CEO.

How Was the Ram Temple CEO Selected?

The selection process for the CEO position involved both AI-assisted screening and manual evaluation.

A 600-mark assessment framework was used to evaluate applicants. Around 3,577 candidates participated in the initial assessment stage.

Applicants who secured 470 marks or more were shortlisted for the next stage. This resulted in virtual interactions with 108 candidates, followed by final interviews involving 16 candidates.

The final interviews were conducted in Ayodhya on August 11 and 12.

Thousands Applied for the CEO Position

The CEO position reportedly attracted 5,585 applications. Of these, 3,570 candidates completed and submitted their application forms. To oversee the selection process, the trust formed a three-member search committee on July 6.

The committee included retired Justice Pramod Kohli, retired Lieutenant General Vishnukant Chaturvedi, and Suresh Haware.

The multi-stage process was designed to identify a candidate capable of managing the administrative responsibilities associated with the temple’s growing operations.

What Will Jeetendra Mishra Do as Ram Mandir CEO?

As the first CEO, Jeetendra Mishra is expected to play a central role in strengthening the administrative and operational management of the Ram Mandir.

His appointment brings an experienced military leader into the trust’s organisational structure at a time when the temple administration is undergoing significant changes.

The creation of the CEO position also signals an effort to establish a more structured administrative framework for managing the shrine’s affairs.

Conclusion

The appointment of Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra as the first CEO marks a significant change in the administrative structure of the Ram Mandir Trust. His extensive military leadership and organisational experience will now be applied to managing the temple’s administrative operations.