Ram Temple Trust Rejects Claim Air Marshal Mishra Skipped CEO Interview, Says Process Was Documented

Ram Temple Trust Clarifies CEO Selection Process

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has rejected claims that retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra skipped the interview rounds for the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ram Temple Trust in Ayodhya.

In a statement, Trust General Secretary Swami Govind Dev Giri said the claims were factually incorrect and maintained that the entire selection process was documented.

5,585 Applications Received

According to the Trust, the CEO selection process began with the constitution of a Search Committee on July 6, 2026. The committee received 5,585 applications from candidates across India.

The selection process involved multiple stages, including AI-based screening and manual assessment conducted across Delhi NCR, Pune and Sambalpur.

16 Candidates Reached Final Stage

Following the initial evaluation, 16 candidates were shortlisted for face-to-face interactions in Ayodhya.

The interviews were conducted on August 11 and 12, 2026. The Trust specifically stated that Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra participated in the first session on August 11.

The Trust said the identities of all finalists were recorded in Ayodhya, providing documentary evidence of their participation.

Mishra Among Top Three Recommended Candidates

After the interview process, the Search Committee submitted its final report and recommendations to the Trust on September 1.

Three candidates were recommended for consideration: Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra, Sanjay Pratapsinh Vishwas Rao and Shruti Bharadwaj. The Trust subsequently announced Mishra as the first CEO of the organisation.

The Trust argued that Mishra's presence among the top three recommended candidates itself demonstrates that he participated in the evaluation process.

Trust Emphasises Transparency

The Trust said the CEO selection process was conducted according to institutional governance and transparency standards.

It maintained that every stage of the process was documented and that records were maintained regarding the candidates who participated in the final interviews. The clarification was issued after claims circulated in media reports questioning how Mishra was selected.

Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra Becomes First CEO

Retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra was appointed the first Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on September 2.

Mishra previously served in the Indian Air Force and headed the Western Air Command during Operation Sindoor. He retired from the IAF in May 2026 after more than 38 years of service.

His appointment is part of the Trust's broader effort to strengthen professional administration, financial oversight and operational systems at the Ram Temple.

Controversy Over Selection Process

The issue arose after former IPS officer Rajesh Pandey, who was also among the candidates for the CEO position, made comments questioning aspects of the selection process.

Pandey later issued a clarification regarding his remarks. The Trust's latest statement seeks to address the controversy by providing a detailed timeline of the selection procedure and asserting that Mishra was properly evaluated before being selected.

Conclusion

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has firmly rejected claims that Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra skipped the CEO interview process. The Trust says 16 finalists participated in face-to-face interactions in Ayodhya, with Mishra attending the first session on August 11. His inclusion among the three candidates recommended by the Search Committee was cited as documentary evidence of his participation and evaluation.