Ram Temple Trust CEO Mishra seeks devotees' trust in first address
Synopsis
A decorated Air Marshal who helped operationalise laser-guided bombs during Kargil and earned a gallantry medal for Operation Sindoor is now the first-ever CEO of the Ram Temple Trust — chosen from more than 5,000 applicants. Mishra's transition from the cockpit to Ayodhya's most consequential administrative post signals the Trust's intent to bring military-grade institutional discipline to one of India's most sensitive religious sites.
Key Takeaways
Air Marshal (Retd.) Jeetendra Mishra was appointed the first-ever CEO of the Ram Temple Trust on 2 September 2025 , selected from over 5,000 applicants .
Mishra appealed to devotees for trust and patience on Friday, 5 September 2025 , saying a detailed plan would be shared once prepared.
He brings a 38-year IAF career , retiring as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command .
Mishra accumulated more than 3,000 flying hours across over 18 aircraft types and played a role in laser-guided bomb operations at Tiger Hill during the Kargil War.
He was awarded the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal on Independence Day 2025 for his role in Operation Sindoor .
Air Marshal (Retd.) Jeetendra Mishra, the newly-appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Ram Temple Trust, on Friday, 5 September 2025, called on devotees to place their faith in his leadership as he begins the task of overseeing the administration and development of the Ram Temple complex in Ayodhya. Speaking to reporters on his first day at the post, Mishra said he was still in the process of understanding the full scope of the institution before charting a course forward.
What Mishra Said
'I have just arrived here and am currently trying to understand the entire system,' Mishra told reporters. 'As I said yesterday, once I understand it, I will take guidance from the Trust and follow its directions, and we will move forward with the support of our team.'
He added that a detailed plan and strategy would be presented once it was prepared, urging patience from the public. 'Please place your trust in us; more importantly, we need your blessings and the blessings of Ram devotees,' he said. 'You will begin to see the results in the coming days.'
How Mishra Was Selected
Mishra was chosen for the position on 2 September 2025 from a pool of more than 5,000 applicants, making him the first-ever CEO of the Ram Temple Trust. His appointment is seen as a significant administrative milestone at one of India's most prominent religious and cultural institutions, coming at a critical phase in the temple complex's ongoing development.
A Decorated Military Career
Mishra brings to the role a 38-year career in the Indian Air Force (IAF), retiring as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Air Command — one of the IAF's most strategically significant commands. Commissioned into the fighter stream on 6 December 1986, he is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, the Air Force Academy, and the Air Force Test Pilots School.
Over his career, Mishra accumulated more than 3,000 hours of flying experience across more than 18 types of fighter and transport aircraft and helicopters. He commanded a fighter squadron, served as chief test pilot at the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE), and commanded two frontline air bases.
Kargil War and Operation Sindoor
Mishra played a key role in operationalising laser-guided bombs on Mirage 2000 aircraft during the Kargil War, weapons that were subsequently deployed against strategic targets including Tiger Hill and Muntho Dhalo during Operation Safed Sagar. More recently, he was awarded the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal on Independence Day 2025 for his contribution during Operation Sindoor. He had earlier received the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2024 and the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2013.
What Comes Next
Mishra indicated that meetings with the Trust and visits to the temple complex have already begun, and that an implementation plan is in early stages. As the temple complex continues to evolve as a pilgrimage and cultural destination, the CEO's office will be central to coordinating administration, infrastructure, and devotee services. Observers will watch closely to see how a career military officer adapts institutional discipline to one of India's most sensitive religious mandates.
Point of View
Hierarchy, and execution over political optics. But the transition from commanding a Western Air Command to managing one of India's most complex religious sites involves an entirely different set of stakeholders: millions of devotees, competing political interests, and an infrastructure project still mid-course. Mishra's measured first-day tone — 'give me some time' — is prudent, but the Trust's credibility now rests on whether a concrete administrative framework emerges quickly. The 5,000-applicant pool also raises a question mainstream coverage has not asked: what selection criteria ultimately prevailed, and who made that call?
NationPress
4 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jeetendra Mishra, the new Ram Temple Trust CEO?
Air Marshal (Retd.) Jeetendra Mishra is a decorated Indian Air Force veteran with 38 years of service, retiring as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Air Command. He was appointed the first-ever CEO of the Ram Temple Trust on 2 September 2025, chosen from more than 5,000 applicants.
What did Mishra say on his first day as Ram Temple Trust CEO?
Mishra appealed to devotees to place their trust and offer their blessings, saying he was still understanding the full system before presenting a detailed plan. He confirmed that meetings with the Trust and temple visits had already begun.
Why is Mishra's appointment significant?
He is the first CEO in the history of the Ram Temple Trust, marking a formal professionalisation of the institution's administration at a critical stage in the temple complex's development. His military background and operational credentials are seen as suited to managing a large, high-visibility institution.
What are Jeetendra Mishra's military honours?
Mishra received the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal on Independence Day 2025 for his role in Operation Sindoor, the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2024, and the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2013. He also contributed to operationalising laser-guided bombs on Mirage 2000 aircraft during the Kargil War.
What will Mishra's role involve at the Ram Temple Trust?
As CEO, Mishra will oversee the administration and ongoing development of the Ram Temple complex in Ayodhya, working under the guidance of the Trust. He has indicated that a formal plan and strategy will be shared with the public once it is finalised.
