Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Sept 2: The Air Marshal (Retired) Jeetendra Mishra, who had served as the chief of the Western Air Command during the Operation Sindoor and retired from service in May, this year, after serving the Indian Air Force for over 38 years, was on Wednesday appointed the first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, to strengthen its administrative structure amidst the recent controversy over the donation box fund embezzlement allegedly by some staff members.
The appointment was announced after a meeting of the Trust was held at the Maniram Das Chawani in Ayodhya, where the trustees also filled three vacant positions on the Board. The vacancies arose following the resignations of senior Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader and general secretary Champat Rai, and trustee Anil Mishra. They quit in July following allegations of embezzlement. The third vacancy arose after the death of trustee Vimlendra Pratap Mishra, a member of Ayodhya’s erstwhile royal family.
According to a communique issued by the Trust, Air Marshal Mishra was appointed following the recommendations of a committee constituted to select the Trust’s CEO. The selection process involved the scrutiny of about 5,585 applications, and interviews with hundreds of candidates over a period of nearly two months.
Air Marshal Mishra served in the Indian Air Force for over 38 years, holding positions across different departments and gaining extensive leadership experience, the Trust said. It added that the new CEO was also awarded the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal, one of the highest military decorations for distinguished service in wartime, and he was also part of Operation Sindoor.
He had not been aware of his selection prior to the announcement made to the media on Wednesday evening, Air Marshal Mishra said. “I also got to know about my selection through television. I am elated for the same,” he said. The trustees also appointed three new members — Mahesh Bhagchandka, Madan Mohan Pandey, and Nirmala Yadav — to fill the vacant positions.
Mr Bhagchandka is associated with Ashok Singhal Foundation while Mr Pandey is an advocate. Ms Yadav, who hails from Shikohabad in Uttar Pradesh, will be the first woman to hold a trusteeship in the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Swami Govind Dev Giri will continue as the Trust’s general secretary, while Mr Bhagchandka will take charge as treasurer. The Trust’s annual accounts for 2025-26 have also been approved.
The Trust recorded a total income of about ₹237 crore, and expenditure of about ₹99 crore during the financial year. It also incurred about ₹425 crore in capital expenditure on construction and related works. As of March 31, 2026 the Trust had total funds of about ₹1,882 crore.
The VHP hailed the appointment of the CEO. VHP president Alok Kumar described Air Marshal Mishra as a senior and respected personality, adding that his extensive experience would help the Trust function more effectively and transparently.
Air Marshal Mishra was commissioned in the Indian Air Force as a fighter pilot in December 1986. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Pune, Air Force Test Pilots School, Bangalore, Air Command and Staff College, USA and the Royal College of Defence Studies, UK.
Mishra’s appointment is part of the structural changes brought in the Ram Temple Trust following the donation theft in Ayodhya. Eight people, mostly linked to the counting of donations, have been arrested. The trust’s general secretary, Champat Rai, also resigned in the wake of the row.
The trust had received 5,585 applications for the post. The search panel was headed by retired judge Pramod Kohli and included retired Lieutenant General Vishnukant Chaturvedi and former scientist Suresh Haware.
The applicants were evaluated based on a 600-mark framework. The final interviews of 16 candidates took place in Ayodhya on August 11 and 12. A trust official said “three highly qualified professionals” had been recommended. They were evaluated on parameters like institutional leadership, management expertise, integrity and vision required to head an institution of national and international significance. The former IAF officer met all these criteria. Mishra is a native of Deoria, Uttar Pradesh.
Air Marshal (Retired) Mishra is known for his exceptional leadership. In his service career spanning over 38 years, the Air Marshal has tenanted important command and staff appointments. These include the Commanding Officer of a Fighter Squadron, Chief Test Pilot at Aircraft & Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE), Air Officer Commanding of two frontline air bases, Director (Operational Planning and Assessment Group), Principal Director (ASR), Asst Chief of Air Staff (Projects) at Air HQ (VB), Commandant ASTE, and Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Doctrine, Organisation and Training). He was Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Operations) prior to taking over his present appointment.
He received military honours such as Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal for his distinguished service.
As CEO, Mishra is expected to play a key role in overseeing the day-to-day functioning of the temple trust and coordinating its expanding operations. His responsibilities are likely to include managing pilgrim facilities, financial and administrative arrangements, staff coordination, security-related matters and preparations for major religious events.
The other contenders for the post of CEO included former IPS officer Rajesh Pandey, former IAS officer Dinesh Chandra, retired IAS officer Yogeshwar Ram Mishra, and former IPS officer Paresh Saxena.
As Director (Projects), Air Marshal Mishra’s personal involvement, planning, and commitment resulted in timely fructification of many prestigious projects, including the Su 30 MKI Block IV and BrahMos integration projects, to name a few. As the Chief Operations Officer, his untiring efforts resulted in a marked improvement in the operational environment of the base in addition to an increment in safety and the quantum of flying.
Jeetendra Mishra has roots in Uttar Pradesh and natively belongs to Bhopatpura in Deoria district, around three hours by road from Ayodhya. Moreover, he comes from a middle-class family, with his father having worked as a lecturer. Mishra’s connection to Uttar Pradesh comes as he takes up an important administrative position at the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya.
On June 10 the officer was also selected to lead the Indian Air Force contingent for the multinational air exercise Garuda IV in France. It was entirely due to his meticulous planning, foresight, and leadership that the exercise was conducted smoothly, without any shortcomings whatsoever. This exceptionally conducted multinational exercise not only raised the bar in the defence cooperation among the participating nations but also left an indelible imprint of the Indian Air Force’s professionalism on the other two air forces.
In his present appointment the officer has displayed exceptional operational acumen both in single and inter-service scenarios. His professionalism, sense of purpose, and dedication have resulted in revision of many operational philosophies and strategies, streamlining of operational procedures, and updation of operational directives of the Air Force.
His relentless and focused efforts, single-minded dedication, and result-oriented approach to his responsibilities have resulted in the successful conduct of many national and international exercises, the finalisation of some critical and sensitive inter-services operational plans, and the successful resolution of many inter-services issues in the two years of his current tenure.