The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has appointed retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra as its first chief executive officer (CEO), bringing a former senior Indian Air Force officer into the top executive role of the body overseeing the Ayodhya Ram temple.
The decision was taken at a Trust meeting held on Wednesday. As part of the administrative changes, Mahesh Bhagchandka has been appointed treasurer, while Swami Govinddev Giri will no longer continue as the general secretary.
The Trust has also appointed three new trustees — Mahesh Bhagchandka, Madan Mohan Pandey and Dr Nirmala Yadav.
The appointment comes at a time when the Trust is working on restructuring its administration. It is also considering changes to its functioning following allegations of irregularities related to donations. The Trust has discussed ways to reduce human involvement in counting cash offerings as well.
Who is Jeetendra Mishra?
Jeetendra Mishra was commissioned into the Indian Air Force as a fighter pilot on December 6, 1986. During his career spanning more than 38 years, he served as a Fighter Combat Leader and experimental Test Pilot and has over 3,000 hours of flying experience.
He studied at the National Defence Academy in Pune, the Air Force Test Pilots School in Bengaluru, the Air Command and Staff College in the US and the Royal College of Defence Studies in the UK.
During his career, Mishra commanded a fighter squadron and served as the chief test pilot at the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment. He was also Air Officer Commanding at two frontline air bases.
He later held several senior positions, including Director of the Operational Planning and Assessment Group, Principal Director of ASR and Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Projects) at Air Headquarters. He also served as Commandant of ASTE and held senior positions in the Integrated Defence Staff.
In January 2025, Mishra took charge of the Western Air Command, one of the Indian Air Force’s major operational commands. He later led the command during Operation Sindoor, India’s military operation against terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Mishra has received several military honours, including the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal. The Trust has also credited him for his leadership and guidance during Operation Sindoor.
According to the Trust, Mishra has now retired from service and belongs to Deoria district, an area located close to Ayodhya. He comes from a middle-class family, and his father was a lecturer.
How was the first CEO selected?
The process to appoint the Trust’s first CEO began on July 6, 2026, when a three-member Search Committee was formed under Justice (retd) Pramod Kohli, the former Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court.
Retired Lieutenant General B K Chaturvedi and retired nuclear scientist Dr Suresh Avaran were the other members of the committee.
The committee held its first meeting on July 11 and finalised the eligibility criteria and selection process. A total of 5,585 applications were received from candidates across the country.
After the initial screening, 16 candidates were shortlisted and invited to Ayodhya for face-to-face interactions on August 11 and 12. They were assessed based on their background, work experience, personality and professional abilities.
The committee finally recommended three candidates for the post — Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra, Major General Sanjay Pratap Singh Vishwasrao and Shruti Bhardwaj.
After considering the profiles of all three candidates, the trustees decided to appoint Mishra as the Trust’s first CEO.
CEO to have a major administrative role
The Trust is also planning to clearly define the powers and responsibilities of the CEO by making changes to its deed. The proposal is part of a 12-point agenda being considered by the Trust.
The CEO will look after statutory, administrative and financial matters. The person holding the post will also be responsible for developing proper systems and procedures suited to the functioning of the organisation.
The role will include strengthening the Trust’s organisational structure, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and overseeing its future development and management.
Nripendra Mishra, chairman of the Ram Mandir Construction Committee, had earlier said that appointing a full-time CEO was important for professional administration and greater transparency in the temple’s functioning.
The Trust has said that the CEO will function without government interference and report to its general secretary.
Donation case and finances discussed
The Trust meeting also reviewed the Special Investigation Team’s probe into allegations of donation theft and the matter pending before the Supreme Court.
Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra resigned on June 26, a day after Uttar Pradesh Police registered a case over alleged irregularities related to donations collected for the shrine.
The Trust welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to expand the scope of the SIT investigation into the alleged financial irregularities, saying it would help bring out the truth and clear public doubts.
The members also discussed ways to reduce human involvement in counting cash donations. Proposals from two banks and an IIT will be examined before a final decision is taken.
The Trust approved its annual accounts for 2025-26. It reported a total income of ₹237 crore and expenditure of ₹11 crore. Capital expenditure on construction and related work stood at ₹425 crore.
As of March 31, 2026, the Trust had total available funds of ₹1,882 crore.
The Trust also took decisions on several vacant posts and other administrative matters as part of its wider restructuring process.