Retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra Appointed First CEO of Ram Temple Trust

Appointment Announced

Officials announced on Wednesday (September 2, 2026) that Air Marshal ) Jeetendra Mishra has been appointed the first Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, the body that oversees the management and operations of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Mishra, who headed the Indian Air Force’s Western Air Command during Operation Sindoor, was chosen from a shortlist of three candidates drawn from 5,585 applications.

The selection was made by a search committee headed by retired Justice Pramod Kohli and comprising retired Lt Gen Vishnukant Chaturvedi and former scientist Suresh Haware. The committee submitted its final report to Trust treasurer Govind Dev Giri on Tuesday (September 1, 2026). Committee secretary Sameer Panda said the panel had recommended “three highly qualified professionals” after assessing their leadership, management expertise, integrity and vision.

Context: Controversy and Selection Process

The appointment comes in the wake of a controversy over the alleged embezzlement of temple donations that led to the arrest of eight people and the resignation of Champat Rai as general secretary. According to Outlook India, this was the third meeting of the trust since the alleged donation theft came to light. The CEO selection process involved AI-assisted screening as well as manual assessment. Of the 5,585 applications received, 3,577 candidates submitted details for evaluation under a 600-mark framework. The process narrowed to 108 candidates scoring 470 marks or more for virtual interactions, followed by 16 candidates being interviewed in person in Ayodhya on August 11 and 12.

Mishra’s Background and Reaction

Mishra, a 62-year-old from Deoria district in Uttar Pradesh, was awarded the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal for his role in Operation Sindoor, as well as the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal during his military career. He was commissioned into the Indian Air Force on December 6, 1986, and served for more than 39 years before retiring on April 30, 2026. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Pune, the Air Force Test Pilots School, Bengaluru, the Air Command and Staff College in the US, and the Royal College of Defence Studies in the UK. During his career, he flew more than 3,000 hours, commanded a fighter squadron and two frontline air bases, and served as commandant of the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE).

Speaking to India Today, Mishra said he felt “most fortunate” to have been chosen for the role after 43 years of national service. “First of all, I would like to thank the selection committee, the trust, and Lord Shri Ram for considering me worthy and selecting me for this role,” he said. “I consider this my good fortune and feel myself to be the most fortunate person. I spent 43 years in national service; now I have got the opportunity to serve the devotees of Ram.” He described his journey from Operation Sindoor to the Ram Temple Trust as an act of divine will, saying, “On the journey from Operation Sindoor to here, apart from Shri Ram’s will, I cannot say anything. It is God’s command; there is immense happiness. As the Lord commands, so shall we act.”

Mishra did not announce a specific agenda for his tenure, saying he would first take charge and discuss the way forward with the trust. “As for the future, after taking up the CEO position, I will discuss with the trust and decide accordingly. I will try to do whatever is best for the Shri Ram temple. I will pray to Shri Ram,” he said. He also told The Hindu that he had not been informed about the selection beforehand and only learned about it through the news.

Trust Meeting and Related Decisions

According to The Economic Times, the trust had planned to meet on Wednesday to select the first CEO, with a shortlist of three candidates to be presented. The meeting was also expected to announce two new members and a general secretary. Jagdish Aafle, associated with the RSS and serving as the Ram temple construction project manager, was reported to be the likely first secretary. The meeting was held at the residence of trust president Nritya Gopal Das in Maniramdas Chhawani. VHP international general secretary Bajrang Lal Bangda might also be included in the trust, sources said. Treasurer Govind Dev Giri, when asked whether the new CEO would be named on Wednesday, said, “That is up to the trust to decide. I expect it to happen, but the board of trustees will decide whether to do it or not.”