Former Air Marshal Jitendra Mishra Named First CEO of Ayodhya Ram Temple Trust

• By Thetripurapost Desk, New Delhi
• Sep 02, 2026
• 126

Retired Air Marshal Jitendra Mishra, who commanded 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 in Ayodhya.

The decision was announced on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, during a meeting of the Ram Temple Trust. Mishra, who retired from the Indian Air Force in April 2026 after nearly four decades of service, will now oversee the expanding administrative and operational responsibilities of the Ayodhya Ram Temple. 

Govind Dev Giri Becomes General Secretary

The trust has also carried out changes in its senior leadership. Govind Dev Giri, who previously served as treasurer, has been appointed General Secretary.

Delhi-based businessman Mahesh Bhagchandka, meanwhile, has been given charge of the Treasurer's post after being inducted as a trustee.

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The latest appointments are part of an effort to strengthen the administrative structure of the Ram Temple Trust as its operations continue to expand. 

Three New Trustees Appointed

Three individuals have also been inducted into the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust:

• Mahesh Bhagchandka, businessman and social worker from New Delhi

• Advocate Madan Mohan Pandey from Ayodhya

• Dr Nirmala Yadav, retired college principal from Shikohabad

Nirmala Yadav's appointment is notable as she becomes the first woman trustee of the Ram Temple Trust. 

Why Jitendra Mishra Was Chosen as Ram Temple CEO

Mishra brings extensive experience in military leadership, operational planning, logistics and administration.

He headed the Western Air Command during Operation Sindoor, a role for which he was recognised with the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal. His experience in managing large military formations is expected to be useful in handling the Ram Temple's growing administrative requirements, security coordination, crowd management and day-to-day operations. 

Mishra is from Deoria district in Uttar Pradesh, giving his appointment an additional connection with the state where Ayodhya is located. He retired as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Air Command on April 30, 2026. 

Ram Temple Trust CEO Selection Process

The appointment followed a detailed selection exercise. According to reports, the search process began with 5,585 applications, which were screened before the final candidates were evaluated by a three-member committee. The committee eventually submitted a shortlist of three names to the trust before Mishra was selected. 

Madan Mohan Pandey's Role in Ram Janmabhoomi Case

New trustee Madan Mohan Pandey was associated with the legal team representing Ram Lalla during the long-running Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid litigation.

He appeared in proceedings connected with the dispute before the Allahabad High Court and the Supreme Court.

Mahesh Bhagchandka's Ashok Singhal Connection

Mahesh Bhagchandka is a Delhi-based businessman and a relative of former Vishwa Hindu Parishad president Ashok Singhal.

He is associated with the Ashok Singhal Foundation and has authored books on the Ram Temple movement and Hindutva-related subjects. Bhagchandka was also associated with important Ram Temple ceremonies, including the 2020 foundation-laying event and the January 22, 2024 Pran Pratishtha ceremony.

Nirmala Yadav Becomes First Woman Trustee

Nirmala Yadav, originally from Etah, has served as an educationist and was principal of Mahatma Gandhi College in Firozabad. She retired from the post in 2021.

Her husband, Harendra Singh Yadav, is described as a senior BJP leader. Her appointment gives the Ram Temple Trust its first female trustee.

Ram Temple Trust Holds Gold and Silver Donations

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has received substantial quantities of precious metals as donations since construction of the Ram Temple began.

The reported figures include approximately 32 kg of gold and 1,518 kg of silver.

The donated silver is sent to the Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India for processing. After melting and refining, silver of 99.99% purity is returned to the trust and kept securely in bank lockers.

Ram Temple Trust Has ₹1,876 Crore in Bank Deposits

The trust's financial position was also discussed during its meeting.

According to the figures presented, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has deposits totalling approximately ₹1,876 crore across accounts maintained with the State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda and Punjab National Bank.

The trust had received around ₹3,264 crore through its temple construction donation campaign. A further ₹582 crore was reported as donations received by the temple.

Of the reported expenditure, approximately ₹2,370 crore was used for temple construction, while around ₹391 crore went towards management-related expenses.

Ram Temple Trust Undergoes Major Administrative Restructuring

The appointment of Jitendra Mishra as CEO, along with the elevation of Govind Dev Giri and the induction of three new trustees, represents a significant restructuring of the Ayodhya Ram Temple Trust.

The changes come at a time when the trust is managing an increasingly large religious and administrative establishment, substantial donations and a huge flow of devotees to the Ram Mandir.

 

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