Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Retired Air Marshal Mishra Named First Ram Temple Trust CEO
The group that manages the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has chosen its first chief executive officer.
His name is Jeetendra Mishra, also spelled Jitendra Mishra in some reports.
He is a retired senior officer and fighter pilot from the Indian Air Force.
Mishra led Western Air Command during Operation Sindoor.
He served for nearly 40 years and flew more than 3,000 hours in many kinds of aircraft.
His new job is to help manage the temple, visitors, workers, security and money.
The Trust says he will work independently and report to its general secretary.
The appointment came after controversy about alleged problems involving temple donations.
Retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra was appointed the first CEO of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in Ayodhya.
Mishra was selected from a shortlist of three candidates drawn from 5,585 applications through screening, evaluation and interviews.
He served in the Indian Air Force for nearly four decades and led Western Air Command during Operation Sindoor.
His duties include temple administration, pilgrim facilities, staffing, security, finances, donations management and long-term planning.
The appointment followed allegations involving temple donations, arrests and leadership changes, although one report said former General Secretary Champat Rai later received a clean chit.
- Who
- Retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra, also reported as Jitendra Mishra, was appointed CEO.
- What
- He became the first Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
- When
- The appointment was announced on Wednesday; reports say Mishra retired on April 30, 2026.
- Where
- The Trust manages the Ram Temple complex in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.
- Why
- The Trust created the CEO role to strengthen administration, manage growing temple operations and develop long-term plans for temple and donations management; the appointment followed a donation-related controversy.
Administrative Professionalisation
Donation-Related Scrutiny
Purpose of the CEO role
Administrative Professionalisation
The Trust’s stated rationale is to strengthen administration, improve pilgrim facilities and crowd management, and create long-term plans for temple operations and donations.
Donation-Related Scrutiny
Reports place the appointment in the context of allegations of donation theft or embezzlement and concerns about the management of temple funds.
Mishra’s suitability
Administrative Professionalisation
Supporters point to Mishra’s senior command experience, operational planning, security background and management of complex organisations.
Donation-Related Scrutiny
The articles do not identify a specific criticism of Mishra’s qualifications, but describe the appointment as occurring during wider scrutiny of the Trust’s administration.
Status of the controversy
Administrative Professionalisation
The Trust used a formal selection process involving screening, evaluation and interviews before choosing Mishra from three finalists.
Donation-Related Scrutiny
Reports say the controversy led to eight arrests and Champat Rai’s resignation as general secretary; another report says Rai later received a clean chit, creating differing accounts of the matter.
- Appointee
- Retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra, also spelled Jitendra Mishra
- Position
- First CEO of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust
- Selection process
- Three finalists were selected from 5,585 applications; reports also describe AI-assisted screening, manual assessment and interviews
- Military service
- Mishra served in the Indian Air Force for more than 38 years, with reports variously describing his service as nearly 40 years or more than 39 years
- Operational background
- He headed the IAF’s Western Air Command during Operation Sindoor
- Flying experience
- More than 3,000 flying hours across more than 18 types of aircraft
- Responsibilities
- Administration, pilgrim facilities, staffing, security, finances, donations management and long-term planning
- Reporting structure
- The Trust said the CEO will work independently, without government interference, and report to its general secretary
Sources
From Operation Sindoor to Ayodhya: Who is Jeetendra Mishra, Ram Temple Trust’s first CEO?
Retd Air Marshal Jitendra Mishra Appointed Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust CEO
Who is Jitendra Mishra? Commanding chief during Operation Sindoor appointed CEO of Ayodhya Ram Mandir Trust
Op Sindoor veteran is Ram Temple Trust CEO
Who is Jeetendra Mishra? Ex-IAF Officer And Op Sindoor Commander Appointed As Ram Temple CEO
Retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra appointed first CEO of Ram Temple
Cockpit To Ayodhya: The Op Sindoor Veteran Who Will Head Ram Temple Trust
