Archive · 12 Aug 2026
Ram Temple CEO Hopefuls Quizzed on Faith, Diet and Alcohol
The Ram Temple in Ayodhya, India, is a very important Hindu temple built for the god Lord Ram.
The people who run it are hiring a new boss called a chief executive officer, or CEO, to manage the temple's office and money.
More than 5,000 people wanted this job, and 18 were chosen to come for interviews.
During the interviews, they were asked about their religion and daily habits.
They were asked if they wear a sacred thread called a janeu, keep a small braid called a shikha, and eat only vegetables.
They were also asked if they drink alcohol and whether they are very strict Hindus or simply believers.
The questions were not only about faith — the committee also asked about running big teams and managing large crowds.
The three committee members will send the three best candidates to the temple Trust, which will pick the new CEO.
The interviews come after some people were arrested for reportedly taking temple donation money, so the Trust wants a leader it can trust.
The new CEO could be announced at a Trust meeting on September 2.
Eight of 18 shortlisted candidates were interviewed on Tuesday for the post of first full-time CEO of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, each interview lasting 40–50 minutes.
Candidates were asked whether they were 'hardline Hindu' or simply believers, wore a janeu, kept a shikha (braid), followed a vegetarian diet, were teetotallers, and dressed according to Hindu customs.
The 34-question interviews also tested religious knowledge — one former IPS officer was asked if he had read the Ramcharitmanas — alongside leadership, experience managing teams of 1,000–5,000 or more, and crowd management.
The panel of Justice Pramod Kohli, Lt Gen Vishnukant Chaturvedi and Suresh Haware will recommend three names to the Trust before September 2, with the new CEO possibly announced at the September 2 Trust meeting.
Interviews at the Green House in the Ram Temple complex followed allegations of donation embezzlement — eight arrests and three Trust official resignations, including former general secretary Champat Rai.
- Who
- The three-member selection panel — retired Supreme Court judge Justice Pramod Kohli, retired Lt Gen Vishnukant Chaturvedi and former scientist Suresh Haware — and 18 shortlisted candidates, including former IPS officer Rajesh Pandey, former Jaunpur district magistrate Dinesh Chandra, and former IAS officers Yogeshwar Ram Mishra and Sameer Pandaya.
- What
- Interviews for the first full-time CEO of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, with 34 questions covering Hindu religious practices such as wearing a janeu, keeping a shikha, vegetarian diet, abstaining from alcohol and dress, as well as leadership and administrative experience.
- When
- Tuesday, as reported on August 12, 2026; the process, initially set for two days, is expected to continue about four more days, with a recommendation due to the Trust before September 2.
- Where
- Green House within the Ram Temple complex in Ayodhya, India; candidates were transported separately from Ayodhya airport and told not to speak to the media.
- Why
- To appoint a professional administrator for the temple's rapidly expanding operations amid allegations of embezzlement of temple donations, in which eight people were arrested and three Trust officials, including former general secretary Champat Rai, resigned.
Critics of the vetting process
Trust and its advisers
Religious lifestyle questions
Critics of the vetting process
The 34-question interview 'went beyond administrative experience,' asking whether candidates are 'hardline Hindu' or mere believers, wear a janeu, keep a braid, eat vegetarian and abstain from alcohol — personal matters that some see as out of place for an administrative post.
Trust and its advisers
The Trust wants an administrator who understands the religious character of the institution, so assessing familiarity with Hindu customs, texts like the Ramcharitmanas, and living habits is fitting for the head of a major religious institution.
Temple donation finances
Critics of the vetting process
Allegations of embezzlement of temple donations prompted scrutiny and the CEO appointment; eight people have been arrested and three Trust officials, including former general secretary Champat Rai, resigned.
Trust and its advisers
Government sources cited an audit saying Rs 3,300 crore was fully accounted for, with theft only in manual cash sorting — pointing to there being 'no Ram Mandir scam.'
- Position
- First full-time CEO, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust
- Candidates interviewed on day one
- 8 of 18 shortlisted; 40–50 minutes each
- Applicants
- About 5,200 applications; 18 shortlisted
- Interview scope
- 34 questions on religious practice, diet, alcohol, dress, leadership and crowd management
- Selection panel
- Justice Pramod Kohli, Lt Gen Vishnukant Chaturvedi, Suresh Haware
- Eligibility
- At least 20 years' experience; age 50–70; initial three-year term
- Expected timeline
- Panel of three due before September 2; CEO possible at Trust meeting on September 2
- Context
- Eight arrests and three Trust resignations (including ex-general secretary Champat Rai) over donation embezzlement allegations; government sources cite an audit saying Rs 3,300 crore was fully accounted for
