Retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra appointed first CEO of Ram Temple Trust

The Ram Temple Trust gets its first CEO as it reshapes its administrative structure, with a former top IAF commander taking charge amid scrutiny over donations and plans for greater financial and operational oversight.

In Short

• Mishra led the Air Force's Western Air Command during Op Sindoor
• CEO role expanded to oversee administrative and financial matters
• Selection involved a 3-member committee and 5,585 applicants

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has appointed retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra as its first chief executive officer, bringing a former senior Indian Air Force commander into the top executive role as the body overseeing the Ayodhya Ram temple restructures its administration.

The decision was taken at the Trust's meeting on Wednesday. The new structure also includes Mahesh Bhagchandka taking charge as treasurer, while Swami Govinddev Giri will not continue as general secretary. Three new trustees - Mahesh Bhagchandka, Madan Mohan Pandey and Dr Nirmala Yadav - have also been appointed.

The appointment comes at a crucial time for the Trust, which is also considering changes to its administrative framework amid a controversy over alleged irregularities linked to donations. The Trust has also discussed measures to reduce human involvement in counting cash offerings.

WHO IS JEETENDRA MISHRA?

Jeetendra Mishra was commissioned into the Indian Air Force as a fighter pilot on December 6, 1986. He served for more than 38 years and is a Fighter Combat Leader and experimental Test Pilot with over 3,000 hours of flying experience.

He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy in Pune, Air Force Test Pilots School in Bengaluru, Air Command and Staff College in the US and the Royal College of Defence Studies in the UK.

During his military career, Mishra commanded a fighter squadron and served as chief test pilot at the Aircraft & Systems Testing Establishment. He also served as Air Officer Commanding of two frontline air bases.

He later held several senior appointments, including Director of the Operational Planning and Assessment Group, Principal Director of ASR and Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Projects) at Air Headquarters. He also served as Commandant of ASTE and Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff for Doctrine, Organisation and Training, before becoming Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Operations).

In January 2025, Mishra took charge of the Western Air Command, one of the IAF's key operational commands. He subsequently led the command during Operation Sindoor, the Indian military operation against terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Mishra has received several military honours, including the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal. The Trust's press release also refers to his receipt of the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal and credits him with leadership and guidance during Operation Sindoor.

The Trust's account of the selection process said Mishra had retired from service and hailed from Deoria district, from an area close to Ayodhya. He comes from a middle-class family, and his father was a lecturer.

HOW WAS THE FIRST CEO CHOSEN?

The process began on July 6, 2026, when a three-member Search Committee was constituted under Justice (retd) Pramod Kohli, former Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court. Retired Lieutenant General B K Chaturvedi and retired nuclear scientist Dr Suresh Avaran were the other members.

The committee held its first meeting on July 11, when it finalised the eligibility criteria and selection process. A total of 5,585 applications were received from across India.

The committee eventually shortlisted 16 candidates, who were invited to Ayodhya for face-to-face interactions on August 11 and 12. The candidates were assessed on their background, work experience, personality and professional capabilities.

Three names were ultimately recommended for the post: Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra, Major General Sanjay Pratap Singh Vishwasrao and Shruti Bhardwaj. After considering the profiles of all three, the trustees decided to appoint Mishra as the first CEO.

CEO TO HAVE WIDE ADMINISTRATIVE ROLE

The Trust is also moving to formally define the powers and responsibilities of the CEO through an amendment to its deed. The proposed changes are part of a 12-point agenda before the Trust.

The CEO will handle statutory, administrative and financial matters and is expected to develop systems, procedures and operational practices suited to the scale and nature of the organisation.

The role will also involve strengthening the Trust's organisational structure, ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, and overseeing the efficient management and future development of the organisation.

Nripendra Mishra, chairman of the Ram Mandir Construction Committee, had described a full-time CEO as critical to professional administration and transparency in the temple's functioning. The Trust has maintained that the CEO will work without government interference and report to its general secretary.

DONATION CASE, FINANCES ON TRUST AGENDA

The Trust meeting also reviewed the Special Investigation Team probe into alleged donation theft and the proceedings pending before the Supreme Court. Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra resigned on June 26, a day after Uttar Pradesh Police registered a case over alleged irregularities linked to donations for the shrine.

The Trust welcomed the Supreme Court's order expanding the scope of the SIT inquiry into alleged financial irregularities, saying the move would help establish the truth and clear public confusion.

Ways to reduce human involvement in counting cash offerings were also discussed, with proposals received from two banks and an IIT set to be evaluated.

The Trust approved its annual accounts for 2025-26, reporting total income of 237 crore against expenditure of 11 crore. Capital expenditure on construction and related work stood at 425 crore, while total funds available as of March 31, 2026, were 1,882 crore.

The Trust has also taken decisions on vacant positions and other administrative matters as part of the broader restructuring.

- Ends