Ram Temple CEO: Search panel sends 3 names to Teerth Kshetra Trust
Synopsis
For the first time, the Ram Temple in Ayodhya is set to have a formal CEO — and the search was anything but casual. A three-member panel sifted through 5,585 applications, scored candidates on a 600-mark Google Form, and interviewed 16 finalists in person before recommending three names to the Trust. The board meets Wednesday to make it official.
Key Takeaways
A three-member search committee submitted three CEO names to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on 1 September .
The panel comprised Lt General Vishnu Kant Chaturvedi (retd) , former scientist Suresh Haware , and former Justice Pramod Kohli .
The selection process drew 5,585 applications between 11–18 July ; 3,570 completed a 600-mark Google Form .
108 candidates scoring 470+ marks were virtually interviewed; 16 of 17 shortlisted attended in-person rounds at Ayodhya Dham .
The Trust board meets Wednesday to take the final call on the appointment.
A three-member search committee has submitted its report recommending three names for the first-ever Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, with the Trust's board meeting scheduled for Wednesday to take the final call.
The Search Committee and Its Members
The panel comprised Lt General Vishnu Kant Chaturvedi (retd), former scientist Suresh Haware, and former Justice Pramod Kohli. The committee submitted its report on Tuesday, 1 September, capping a structured multi-stage selection process that began in mid-July.
Trust Treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj thanked the panel for their 'tireless work' and confirmed the Trust board would deliberate on the recommendations. 'We are grateful for their efforts and will consider the recommendations before the Trust board meeting tomorrow,' he said. On whether a formal announcement would follow the Wednesday meeting, he added: 'I am hopeful that the announcement should be made; however, the final decision depends on the Trust.'
A Rigorous, Transparent Selection Process
Former Justice Kohli described the selection methodology in detail, underscoring the committee's emphasis on transparency and fairness. Between 11 July and 18 July, the committee received 5,585 applications. Given the volume, a Google Form of 600 marks was designed and sent to all applicants, of whom 3,570 responded.
Candidates who scored above 60 per cent — equivalent to 360 marks — were shortlisted for further evaluation. A cohort of 108 candidates who scored 470 marks or above out of 600 were then virtually interviewed over four days. Subsequently, 17 candidates were invited for in-person interactions at Ayodhya Dham, of whom 16 attended.
'We have recommended three names whom we thought are the most suitable on the basis of their vision, understanding of issues, and their devotion to Lord Ram,' Justice Kohli said.
What the Trust Will Decide
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust holds the authority to accept, modify, or seek further deliberation on the panel's shortlist. The appointment of a CEO marks a significant institutional step for the temple complex, which has been at the centre of one of India's most consequential legal and religious developments. This is the first time a formal executive leadership structure is being established for the temple's administration.
What Comes Next
All eyes are now on the Trust's Wednesday board meeting. If the Trust endorses one of the three recommended names, a formal announcement is expected the same day, though Swami Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj indicated the timeline remains contingent on the board's deliberations. The appointment will shape the operational and administrative direction of one of India's most visited religious sites.
Point of View
Including a scored Google Form and multi-stage interviews across 5,585 applicants, is notably transparent for a body operating in a space where optics matter enormously. The real question the Trust must answer is whether the CEO will have genuine operational authority or function as a ceremonial figurehead. That distinction will determine whether this appointment translates into professional temple governance or simply adds a new title to an existing power structure.
NationPress
1 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who recommended names for the Ram Temple CEO post?
A three-member search committee comprising Lt General Vishnu Kant Chaturvedi (retd), former scientist Suresh Haware, and former Justice Pramod Kohli recommended three names to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on 1 September. The Trust board will take the final decision at its meeting on Wednesday.
How many people applied for the Ram Temple CEO position?
The search committee received 5,585 applications between 11 July and 18 July. Of these, 3,570 candidates completed a 600-mark Google Form evaluation, and 108 who scored 470 marks or above were virtually interviewed before 16 finalists attended in-person rounds at Ayodhya Dham.
When will the Ram Temple CEO be officially announced?
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is scheduled to meet on Wednesday to deliberate on the three recommended names. Trust Treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj expressed hope that an announcement would follow the meeting, though he noted the final call rests with the Trust board.
What criteria were used to select the Ram Temple CEO candidates?
Candidates were evaluated on a 600-mark Google Form, with those scoring above 60 per cent (360 marks) advancing to further rounds. The top 108 candidates, scoring 470 marks or above, were virtually interviewed over four days. Finalists were assessed on vision, understanding of issues, and devotion to Lord Ram, according to the committee.
Why is the Ram Temple CEO appointment significant?
This is the first time the Ram Temple in Ayodhya is establishing a formal executive leadership role, marking a shift toward structured institutional governance for one of India's most prominent religious sites. The appointment follows the temple's consecration and reflects efforts to professionalise its administration.
