Ram temple trust CEO Jeetendra Mishra, a retired Indian Air Force officer, has been appointed to lead administration in Ayodhya. His selection followed 5,585 applications as the Trust strengthens governance, financial oversight and long-term temple management.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust appointed retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra as its first full-time CEO on September 2, 2026, placing a veteran military administrator in charge of the Ram temple’s day-to-day management in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.
Jeetendra Mishra brings senior Air Force experience
Mishra served in the Indian Air Force for nearly four decades and retired on April 30, 2026, after serving as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Air Command. He had earlier served as Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff for operations.
As Ram temple trust CEO, Mishra will oversee administration, staff coordination, operational systems and institutional management as the temple moves into a longer-term phase of operations.
Appointment follows scrutiny of donation management
The leadership change comes amid heightened scrutiny of the Trust’s financial controls following allegations of theft and misappropriation involving temple donations. Eight people named in an FIR were arrested in June. Former general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra resigned after the case drew attention to donation handling and internal oversight.
The full-time CEO position adds dedicated executive leadership to an institution responsible for managing large numbers of devotees as well as donations, security coordination, infrastructure and future development.
Ram temple CEO chosen from 5,585 applications
The selection process began with 5,585 applications and was narrowed through several screening stages. The process combined technology-enabled screening with manual assessment, online interactions and face-to-face interviews in Ayodhya.
Sixteen finalists were considered before the search committee recommended three candidates. The Trust selected Mishra from the final panel on September 2.
Trust adds three new trustees
The Trust also appointed Mahesh Bhagchandka, Madan Mohan Pandey and Nirmala Yadav as trustees as part of broader changes to its governance structure.
Mishra now takes responsibility for strengthening administrative systems and overseeing the temple’s long-term operations at a time when financial management and institutional accountability remain under close public scrutiny.
