Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Retired Air Marshal Mishra Takes Charge as Temple Trust CEO
Jeetendra Mishra, a retired Air Marshal, has started a new job managing the trust that runs the Ram temple.
He is the first person to become the trust's chief executive officer.
Mishra arrived in Ayodhya on Sunday and prayed at the temple on Monday morning.
He then went to his new office on the temple grounds.
He had been chosen for the job on September 2.
The trust created the position while reorganizing its administration.
This followed allegations that donations had been stolen.
More than 5,500 people applied, and 16 were interviewed.
The trust said Mishra attended his interview and was one of three recommended candidates.
Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra (retired) formally became the first CEO of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
Mishra offered prayers at the Ram temple in Ayodhya before taking charge at his newly built office.
The 62-year-old was appointed on September 2 during an administrative restructuring of the Trust.
The recruitment process received 5,585 applications, with 16 candidates shortlisted for interviews on August 11 and 12.
The Trust said Mishra attended the first interview session and was among three candidates recommended by its search committee.
- Who
- Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra (retired), the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, and former IPS officer Rajesh Pandey.
- What
- Mishra formally assumed office as the Trust's first chief executive officer.
- When
- He took charge on Monday, September 21, 2026; he was appointed on September 2 and interviewed on August 11.
- Where
- At the Ram temple premises in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.
- Why
- The appointment was part of an administrative restructuring intended to strengthen the Trust's functioning amid allegations of donation theft.
Trust's Account
Selection-Process Questions
Mishra's interview attendance
Trust's Account
The Trust said Mishra personally appeared in the first interview session on August 11 and was among the three candidates recommended by the search committee.
Selection-Process Questions
Former IPS officer Rajesh Pandey said he did not see Mishra at the venue during the time slot assigned for Pandey's own interview, prompting questions about the process. Pandey later clarified that he had not claimed Mishra was absent from the interview.
- New CEO
- Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra (retired)
- Age
- 62
- Organization
- Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust
- Appointment date
- September 2, 2026
- Applications received
- 5,585
- Shortlisted candidates
- 16
- Interview dates
- August 11 and 12
