Shortlist finalised for Ram temple CEO post
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is set to appoint the first full-time chief executive officer of the Ram temple in Ayodhya from a shortlist of three candidates, according to reports by ThePrint and The Hindu. The search committee, headed by retired Justice Pramod Kohli and comprising retired Lieutenant General Vishnukant Chaturvedi and former scientist Suresh Haware, submitted its final report to Trust treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
Committee secretary Sameer Panda said the panel recommended "three highly qualified professionals" after a comprehensive evaluation based on institutional leadership, management expertise, integrity and vision. The names of the shortlisted candidates have not been disclosed, but sources said the panel includes candidates from government and private sectors, and that retired bureaucrats are among the leading contenders.
Selection process details
The selection process drew 5,585 applications, which were screened using AI-enabled tools combined with manual assessment, according to Mr. Panda. A 600-mark evaluation framework was used, with 3,577 candidates participating in the initial assessment. Those scoring 470 marks or above were shortlisted, leading to virtual interactions with 108 applicants and final interviews of 16 candidates in Ayodhya on August 11 and 12.
The evaluation was conducted by teams based in Delhi-NCR, Pune and Sambalpur in Odisha, Mr. Panda said. Applications were closed on July 18, and online interviews were held in early August.
Trust meeting and context
The Trust met on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at the residence of its president, Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, with the CEO appointment on the agenda. Also expected to come up were amendments to the Trust deed, the appointment of a press spokesperson and other administrative matters. The meeting is also expected to consider amendments to clearly define the CEO's powers and responsibilities.
Trust members were tight-lipped about the likely appointment, saying the final decision would be taken only after deliberations by the board of trustees. Trustee Mahant Dinendra Das told reporters that the final decision would be taken "unanimously" and that the outcome would be announced only after the meeting concludes. Swami Kamalnayan Das, a member of the Trust's religious affairs committee, said ahead of the meeting that his priority was the smooth functioning of the temple. "I have no knowledge about who will be made the CEO. My wish is that the affairs of the temple should run smoothly," he said.
The meeting comes in the wake of 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. The Hindu reported that trustee Anil Mishra also resigned following the allegations. On July 6, the trust announced a major administrative overhaul, including the creation of the CEO post, aimed at strengthening administrative oversight and restoring confidence in the trust's functioning.
A source close to the selection committee said the trust was considering changes to its bylaws to formally provide for a CEO and clearly define supervisory responsibilities, particularly in relation to fund management.