Retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra Named First Full-Time CEO of Ayodhya Ram Temple Trust
Ayodhya, September 2, 2026 — The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on Wednesday named retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra as the first full-time Chief Executive Officer of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, moving to put a more formal administrative structure in place as the shrine complex continues to draw large numbers of devotees.
The decision was taken at a Trust meeting held at Maniramdas Chhawani, the residence of Trust president Mahant Nritya Gopal Das. Alongside the new CEO appointment, the Trust also inducted three new trustees: Delhi-based Mahesh Bhagchandka, a relative of the late Vishva Hindu Parishad leader Ashok Singhal; Ayodhya resident and former Additional Advocate General Madan Mohan Pandey; and Nirmala Yadav of Shikohabad.
The move comes amid a wider restructuring of the temple administration following a controversy over alleged embezzlement of temple donations, which had led to the arrest of eight people and the resignation of Champat Rai as general secretary in June. Trust officials said the creation of a dedicated full-time CEO position is meant to improve financial oversight, streamline daily operations and strengthen administrative systems at the temple complex.
Mishra was chosen after a lengthy selection exercise that began with 5,585 applications. A high-powered search committee shortlisted three candidates for final consideration. The Trust said the final selection was made after a comprehensive evaluation of the applicants.
From fighter pilot to temple administrator
Air Marshal (Retd) Jeetendra Mishra, who holds the honours SYSM, AVSM and VSM, brings nearly four decades of service in the Indian Air Force to the new role. Commissioned into the fighter stream on 6 December 1986, he retired on 30 April 2026 as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Air Command.
Over the course of his career, Mishra logged more than 3,000 flying hours on more than 18 types of fighter, transport and rotary-wing aircraft. He is described as a fighter combat leader and experimental test pilot, and is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, the Air Force Test Pilots School, the Air Command and Staff College in the United States and the Royal College of Defence Studies in the United Kingdom.
His military appointments included service as Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Operations), Commandant of the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment, and Air Officer Commanding of two frontline air bases. He also commanded the Western Air Command during Operation Sindoor in May 2025, for which President Droupadi Murmu conferred on him the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal in recognition of his leadership.
Mishra’s operational experience also includes the 1999 Kargil conflict, when, as a Squadron Leader, he was part of the team that operationalised laser-guided bombs on Mirage 2000 aircraft. Those weapons were later used in strikes on Tiger Hill and Muntho Dhalo. He hails from Bhopatpura in Deoria district, Uttar Pradesh, about three hours by road from Ayodhya.
How the selection was made
The search committee that recommended the candidates comprised retired Justice Pramod Kohli, Lieutenant General (Retd) Vishnukant Chaturvedi and former nuclear scientist Dr Suresh Haware. According to the Trust, applications were first screened through an AI-enabled process backed by a 600-mark evaluation framework.
Candidates who scored 470 marks or more were taken forward for virtual interactions. After that stage, 16 candidates were interviewed in Ayodhya on 11 and 12 August. The committee finally recommended three professionals, saying the selection was based on institutional leadership, management expertise, integrity and vision.
What the CEO will do
The new CEO will report to the Trust’s general secretary and will be appointed for an initial three-year term, renewable depending on performance. The post requires the officeholder to reside in Ayodhya.
Among the CEO’s responsibilities are building systems and operating practices suited to the scale of the institution, improving organisational structure, coordinating pilgrim services, overseeing financial management, handling staff administration, liaising on security matters and helping manage major religious events.
Trust officials said the appointment is aimed at bringing greater discipline, transparency and professional management to an institution that now receives millions of devotees every year and whose infrastructure and visitor services continue to expand.
