Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Why Bureaucrats Are Queuing Up to Lead Ram Mandir
The Ram Mandir Trust is choosing its first full-time chief executive officer.
This person will help run the temple as it welcomes many pilgrims.
More than 5,500 people applied for the job.
They include retired government and police officers, military personnel, business leaders and technology experts.
Sixteen people were invited to interviews in Ayodhya.
The CEO will help manage security, donations, workers, construction and digital systems.
The job is difficult because the temple must be well organized while respecting religious customs.
The Trust also wants strong financial controls and public confidence.
The Ram Mandir Trust received 5,585 applications for its first full-time CEO.
Sixteen candidates, including retired officials, military personnel, corporate executives and technology professionals, were invited to interviews in Ayodhya on August 11 and 12.
The CEO will oversee pilgrim management, security, donations, construction, employees, vendors, technology and government coordination.
The selection panel includes retired Supreme Court judge Justice Pramod Kohli, retired Lieutenant General Vishnukant Chaturvedi and nuclear scientist Suresh Haware.
The successful candidate will need to combine administrative and technological skills with sensitivity toward religious traditions and public trust.
- Who
- The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is selecting a full-time CEO from applicants including retired officials, military personnel, corporate executives and technology professionals.
- What
- The Trust is recruiting its first full-time CEO to manage the expanding Ram Mandir institution.
- When
- Sixteen shortlisted candidates were scheduled for face-to-face interviews on August 11 and 12; the year is not specified.
- Where
- The interviews are being held in Ayodhya.
- Why
- The temple is handling growing responsibilities involving pilgrims, security, donations, construction, technology, staffing and coordination with public agencies.
Administrative and Modern Management
Religious Sensitivity and Tradition
How the temple should be managed
Administrative and Modern Management
Retired bureaucrats, police and military officers can contribute experience in large-scale operations, coordination, security, logistics and emergency response.
Religious Sensitivity and Tradition
The temple cannot be run solely like a government department, police establishment or corporate enterprise; decisions must respect religious practices and sentiment.
Preferred leadership style
Administrative and Modern Management
Clear authority, formal systems, technology, financial controls and efficient procedures can help manage pilgrims, donations and daily operations.
Religious Sensitivity and Tradition
The CEO must also rely on consultation, patience and consensus when working with religious leaders, officials, employees, contractors and service providers.
Role of technology and corporate expertise
Administrative and Modern Management
Corporate and technology professionals could strengthen digital donations, accounting, visitor management, data analysis, online services and communications.
Religious Sensitivity and Tradition
Modern systems should support the institution without allowing administrative efficiency or corporate methods to override its religious character.
- Applications received
- 5,585
- Shortlisted candidates
- 16
- Interview dates
- August 11 and 12
- Selection panel
- Justice Pramod Kohli, Lieutenant General Vishnukant Chaturvedi and Suresh Haware
- Primary operational challenge
- Managing crowds, security, access, emergencies and coordination with agencies
- Key management concerns
- Donations, accounting, technology, employees, vendors and construction
- Role significance
- The first full-time CEO will help define how the Ram Mandir functions in the coming years