Ram Janmabhoomi Trust Appoints Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra as First CEO

Ayodhya: In a major administrative move, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has appointed Air Marshal (Retd) Jeetendra Mishra as its first full-time Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The decision was taken at a Trust meeting in Ayodhya on Wednesday.

Mishra, who retired from the Indian Air Force in April 2026 after nearly four decades of service, previously headed the Western Air Command and was at the helm of the command during Operation Sindoor in May 2025.

Chosen from 5,585 applicants

The appointment followed an extensive selection exercise launched to identify a professional administrator for the Trust. As many as 5,585 applications were received for the newly created post.

A three-member search committee, headed by retired Justice Pramod Kohli and comprising retired Lieutenant General Vishnukant Chaturvedi and nuclear scientist Suresh Haware, conducted the selection. The process combined AI-assisted screening and manual assessment, eventually narrowing the field to 16 candidates for face-to-face interactions in Ayodhya. Three candidates were then recommended to the Trust, from which Mishra was selected.

Nearly 40 years in the Air Force

Mishra was commissioned into the IAF’s fighter stream on December 6, 1986. During a career spanning nearly four decades, he served in a range of operational, testing and strategic appointments and accumulated more than 3,000 hours of flying experience.

He commanded a fighter squadron and two frontline air bases and served as chief test pilot and later commandant of the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE). He also held senior positions at Air Headquarters and served as Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Operations).

As Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Western Air Command, Mishra was one of the senior commanders associated with India’s military response during Operation Sindoor. He was subsequently awarded the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal, in addition to the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal.

श्रीराम जन्मभूमि तीर्थ क्षेत्र के न्यासियों की बैठक आज अयोध्या में सम्पन्न हुई। बैठक में न्यास से जुड़े विभिन्न महत्वपूर्ण विषयों पर विस्तार से चर्चा हुई तथा अनेक महत्वपूर्ण निर्णय लिए गए। बैठक के पश्चात न्यास द्वारा जारी प्रेस विज्ञप्ति

A meeting of the Trustees of Shri Ram… pic.twitter.com/5JdfgAUNUE

— Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra (@ShriRamTeerth) September 2, 2026

A new phase for temple administration

Mishra’s appointment comes as the Ram Temple Trust seeks to establish a more structured and professional administrative system. The CEO will be responsible for overseeing the Trust’s officers, employees and operational machinery, while developing systems and procedures for the institution’s expanding activities.

The role also includes ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements and the Trust Deed, as well as preparing the organisation for future expansion.

The move assumes added significance following the controversy over alleged theft or misappropriation of temple donations. The case led to arrests and the resignation of Trust office-bearer Champat Rai, prompting greater focus on administrative and financial accountability.

Three new trustees appointed

The Trust also announced the appointment of three new trustees—Delhi-based businessman Mahesh Bhagchandka, Ayodhya-based senior advocate Madan Mohan Pandey, and retired college principal Dr Nirmala Yadav.

The Trust further appointed Govind Dev Giri as general secretary and Mahesh Bhagchandka as treasurer.

With a decorated military commander now taking charge as its first full-time CEO, the Trust is signalling a shift towards dedicated executive management, tighter institutional systems and greater operational accountability at one of India’s most prominent pilgrimage centres.

Mishra’s challenge will now be to translate nearly four decades of experience in command, planning and coordination into the very different world of temple administration—where millions of devotees, large-scale infrastructure, finances, security and day-to-day operations must function together efficiently.