Op Sindoor Battle To Ayodhya’s Sacred Soil: A Look At New Ram Temple Trust CEO Jeetendra Mishra’s Journey

Last Updated:September 03, 2026, 09:44 IST

Air Marshal (retd.) Jeetendra Mishra has been appointed the first full-time CEO of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust.

Jeetendra Mishra, Former IAF Officer, has been appointed Ram Mandir Trust CEO

After months of deliberation and an extensive search, Air Marshal (retd.) Jeetendra Mishra has been appointed as the first-ever full-time Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust, which oversees the management of the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya.

His appointment came barely two months after a controversy surrounding the alleged donation theft at the Ram Temple.

Speaking to the news agency YEARS, Mishra said: “… I consider this a great fortune that they chose me from so many candidates. I also consider this the blessings of Lord Ram that after 43 years of service to the nation in the Air Force, he has given me the opportunity to serve Sri Ram Mandir and Sri Ram bhakts…”

Mishra, who possesses over four decades of experience in the Indian Air Force (IAF), has assumed the key administrative role at a time when the Ram Temple trust undergoes significant changes in its administrative structure.

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Key Role In Operation Sindoor

Jeetendra Mishra served as the Commander of the Indian Air Force (IAF)’s Western Air Command during the Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, according to The Indian Express.

He was a part of an elite group of seven military officers awarded the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal –– an extremely rare honour in recognition of their exceptional operational planning, coordination, and execution –– for their roles in Operation Sindoor.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy in Pune, Mishra was commissioned into the Air Force’s fighter stream in 1986.

He also studied from other prestigious institutions, including the Air Force Test Pilots School in Bengaluru, the Air Command and Staff College in the United States and the Royal College of Defence Studies in the United Kingdom, The Indian Express reported.

During his nearly three decades of career, Mishra accumulated more than 3,000 hours of flying experience, flying over 18 types of fighter and transport aircraft.

On April 30, 2026, he retired from the service, just a little less than a year marking the beginning of Operation Sindoor.

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What challenges will Jeetendra Mishra face as CEO?

As CEO, Jeetendra Mishra will face the challenge of establishing an administrative system capable of managing massive pilgrim numbers, large financial flows, security requirements, and increasingly complex operations. Additionally, he must navigate these operational demands while maintaining the trust and confidence of devotees.

How will Mishra’s military background influence the Trust?

Jeetendra Mishra’s military background is expected to bring professional operational oversight to the Trust, shifting how it manages the temple as it grows in scale and complexity. His experience in running large organisations, coordinating multiple teams, planning complex operations, maintaining systems, and making decisions under pressure makes him suited to the role. His background in logistics, personnel management, and defence administration is tailored to managing complex systems and large-scale public operations.

Could this appointment impact the Ram Temple’s future?

The appointment of retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra is expected to strengthen and better organise the Ram Temple’s administration, coordination, and management of various tasks. His military and administrative experience is viewed as a valuable asset as the temple complex expands and the trust manages growing construction, security, infrastructure, and visitor responsibilities. This administrative shift comes after the trust faced significant controversies regarding financial and management issues.

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Meemansa ShekhawatSub-editor

A Journalism graduate, Meemansa Shekhawat is a sub-editor at News18. Driven by a keen interest in news, she is a passionate writer with specialisation in national and international affairs. You can re…Read More

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