Archive · 12 Aug 2026
Ram Temple Trust Interviews Candidates for First Full-Time CEO
The Ram Temple in Ayodhya, India, is a very famous and holy temple.
A special group called the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust looks after it.
The Trust wants to hire a full-time boss, called a Chief Executive Officer, or CEO, for the first time.
More than 5,200 people applied for the job, and 18 were chosen to come to Ayodhya for interviews.
The interviews started on Tuesday morning at the temple complex.
Three important people ask the questions, including a retired Supreme Court judge.
They asked candidates about their faith in Lord Ram, whether they are strict vegetarians and do not drink alcohol, and their plans for the temple.
Eight people were interviewed on the first day, and four more on the second day.
The panel will pick the best three names, and the Trust will choose the CEO from them.
The Trust decided to hire a CEO after some donated money was allegedly misused.
Interviews for the first full-time CEO of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust began on Tuesday, August 11, at the Ram temple complex in Ayodhya.
A three-member panel of retired Supreme Court judge Justice Pramod Kohli, Lt Gen (Retd) Vishnukant Chaturvedi and retired nuclear scientist Suresh Haware is interviewing the shortlisted candidates.
Eighteen candidates were shortlisted from more than 5,200 applications, though two reports mention a shortlist of 16; candidates include retired bureaucrats, defence officers and former senior temple officials from South India.
Eight candidates, including three former IAS officers, an ex-IPS officer and four former military officers, were interviewed on Day 1; four more, including former Bihar DGP Pravesh Saxena, were interviewed on Day 2.
The hiring follows an alleged embezzlement of Ram temple donations in which eight accused have been arrested and three officials, including former general secretary Champat Rai, stepped down.
The panel will recommend three names to the Trust, with the final appointment expected to be announced at a Trust meeting scheduled for September 2.
- Who
- A three-member selection panel headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Pramod Kohli, with Lt Gen (Retd) Vishnukant Chaturvedi and Suresh Haware, interviewing shortlisted candidates including former IAS officers, an ex-IPS officer, former military officers and a former Bihar DGP.
- What
- Interviews to select the first full-time Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, who will oversee the temple's administration, finances and operations.
- When
- Interviews began on Tuesday, August 11, continued on Wednesday with four more candidates, and were expected to extend further.
- Where
- The Ram temple complex in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, in the conference room of the pilgrim facilitation centre, also described as the Green House.
- Why
- The Trust decided to appoint a full-time CEO after an alleged embezzlement of Ram temple donations came to light, to strengthen governance, transparency and management of the temple.
- Trust
- Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust
- Position
- First full-time CEO, initially for a three-year term
- Candidates
- 18 shortlisted from over 5,200 applications (some reports say 16)
- Selection panel
- Justice Pramod Kohli, Lt Gen (Retd) Vishnukant Chaturvedi, Suresh Haware
- Interview venue
- Pilgrim facilitation centre / Green House, Ram temple complex, Ayodhya
- Day-one interviewees
- 8 candidates, including 3 former IAS officers, an ex-IPS officer and 4 former military officers
- Day-two interviewees
- 4 candidates, including former Bihar DGP Pravesh Saxena and Rajesh Pandey, interviewed a second time
- Next step
- Panel to recommend three names; final decision expected at Trust meeting on September 2
Sources
Ram Temple Trust Begins Interviews For First Full-Time CEO Post; 18 Candidates Shortlisted From 5,200 Applications
3 ex-IAS officers among candidates interviewed on first day for Ram Temple Trust’s CEO post
Ram Temple begins interviews for CEO
Four more candidates interviewed for Ram Temple Trust's CEO post
Ayodhya Ram Temple Trust Begins Interviews to Pick Full-Time CEO
Ram Temple Trust begins interview for selection of full-time CEO