LUCKNOW: The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust’s first chief executive officer (CEO), Retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra, emerged after a nearly two-month selection process that began with 5,585 applications and involved multiple rounds of scrutiny, online interactions and face-to-face meetings in Ayodhya.The search committee, constituted on July 6, submitted its 75-page report to the Trust on September 1, along with a panel of three recommended candidates. The Trust subsequently selected Mishra for the post.
Ram Mandir CEO selection : Key numbers at a glance
- 5,585: Total applications received for the CEO post
- 1,580: Applications found eligible and suitable after scrutiny
- 108: Applicants shortlisted for online interactive session
- 16: Finalists called for face-to-face interactions in Ayodhya
- 3: Candidates recommended by the search committee
- 75 pages: Length of the committee’s final report
How the Ram Mandir CEO selection process unfolded
- July 6, 2026: The search committee was constituted with Justice (Retd.) Permod Kohli, Lieutenant General (Retd.) V K Chaturvedi and nuclear scientist Dr Suresh Haware as members. The committee brought together expertise in defence, judiciary and administration to assess candidates for the post.
- July 11: The committee held its first meeting and finalised the selection process and eligibility criteria.
- July 14: Industrialist Sameer Panda was appointed secretary of the committee to assist with the voluminous application process.
- July 18: The application window closed with 5,585 applications received.
- July 2026: The applications were scrutinised and evaluated, following which 1,580 candidates were found eligible and suitable.
- August 3-6: Online interactive sessions were conducted with 108 applicants, representing the top 7% of those found eligible and suitable.
- August 11-12: The process moved to Ayodhya, where 16 finalists appeared for face-to-face interactions at Green House, Shri Ram Mandir.
- September 1: The search committee handed over its 75-page report to the Trust and submitted a panel of three recommended candidates for the CEO’s post.
- September 2: The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust appointed Retired Air Marshal
Jeetendra Mishra as its first CEO. The Trust also appointed Mahesh Bhagchandka, Madan Mohan Pandey and Nirmala Yadav as new trustees
Who is Retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra?
The Trust selected Retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra as its first CEO. Mishra played a key role in commanding air operations during Operation Sindoor and retired from the Indian Air Force in April 2026.He hails from Bhopatpura village in Bankata block of Bhatpar Rani tehsil in Deoria district of Uttar Pradesh.Mishra was among the senior military commanders recognised for leadership during Operation Sindoor. President Droupadi Murmu conferred the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal on him for distinguished service during the operation.The medal is awarded for the highest order of distinguished service during war, conflict or hostilities and is among India’s rarest military decorations.
Why Mishra’s background matters
Mishra brings experience in operational planning, coordination, logistics and management of large formations to the temple Trust.In a recent podcast interview, he spoke about the air campaign during Operation Sindoor and explained how Indian forces identified and struck targets deep inside Pakistan. He described how a target located around 314km away was destroyed after a brief operational instruction to “shoot”.While discussing the operation, Mishra highlighted planning, precision, technology and coordination among different arms of the armed forces. Several operational details, however, remain classified.Mishra comes from a middle-class family in Deoria and his father was a lecturer. His native village is around three hours by road from Ayodhya.
What will the Ram Mandir CEO oversee?
As CEO, Mishra is likely to oversee the Trust’s day-to-day administration, including pilgrim facilities, financial arrangements, staff coordination, security-related coordination and the management of large religious events.His appointment marks the culmination of a selection process that narrowed thousands of applicants down to a three-member panel before the Trust chose its first CEO.
