Delhi: Retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra, who headed the Indian Air Force’s Western Air Command during Operation Sindoor, has been appointed the first full-time Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Trust in Ayodhya on Wednesday. Mishra retired from the Indian Air Force on April 30, 2026, after nearly four decades of service. He had earlier served as Deputy Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff (Operations).
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During his distinguished military career, Mishra accumulated more than 3,000 flying hours and served in several senior operational and strategic positions. He was awarded the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal for his service during conflict. Mishra was selected from a final panel of three candidates after an extensive selection process that began with 5,585 applications. A three-member committee comprising retired Justice Permod Kohli, Lieutenant General (retd) Vishnukant Chaturvedi and scientist Dr Suresh Haware conducted the selection process. It involved AI-assisted screening, manual evaluation and multiple rounds of interviews.
The creation of the full-time CEO post is aimed at professionalising the administration of the Ram temple and strengthening systems related to operations, finance, infrastructure, devotees and regulatory compliance. The appointment comes at a time when the Trust is seeking to strengthen its administrative and financial mechanisms following controversy over alleged irregularities involving temple donations.
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The Trust also appointed Mahesh Bhagchandka, Madan Mohan Pandey and Nirmala Yadav as new trustees. Govind Dev Giri was named the new full-time general secretary, while Bhagchandka was appointed treasurer. Mishra’s appointment is expected to bring his extensive experience in leadership, strategic planning and institutional management to the administration of the Ram temple.
