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The first CEO will be tasked with helping build an administrative system for one of India’s most prominent religious institutions
(From left) Rajesh Pandey, Yogeshwar Ram Mishra, and Paresh Saxena are in the race for the Ram Mandir CEO’s post. (News18 Hindi)
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is set to choose the first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Ram Mandir administration on Wednesday, and the race has now narrowed down to three prominent names.
Among those being considered are former Uttar Pradesh IPS officer Rajesh Pandey, retired IAS officer Yogeshwar Ram Mishra and senior Bihar police officer Paresh Saxena, News18 India has learnt.
The CEO will play a crucial role in managing the day-to-day administrative functioning of the Ram Mandir and coordinating its operations with government agencies. The post assumes significance as Ayodhya has emerged as one of India’s biggest religious destinations, attracting massive crowds of devotees. The move also comes after a massive donation row rocked the temple.
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Here is a look at the three names in the race.
Rajesh Pandey: The Former UP IPS Officer
Rajesh Pandey, a former Uttar Pradesh-cadre IPS officer, is among the prominent contenders for the post.
Pandey had a long policing career in Uttar Pradesh and served in several important assignments, including as SSP of Lucknow, Aligarh, Meerut and Saharanpur. He was also associated with the state’s Special Task Force (STF) and Anti-Terrorist Squad.
His policing career has been particularly associated with counter-terror operations and encounters. Reports have described him as an encounter specialist, with his career involving several high-profile operations.
Pandey was also associated with investigations into major terror cases, including the 2005 terrorist attack on the Ram Janmabhoomi complex in Ayodhya and the 2006 Varanasi serial blasts. He retired from the Uttar Pradesh Police in 2021 and subsequently worked as a security adviser with the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA).
Pandey’s experience could be particularly relevant to the Ram Mandir’s security and crowd-management requirements. The temple receives huge numbers of devotees and its administration requires close coordination between the Trust, police, district administration and other government agencies.
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His familiarity with security operations and Ayodhya-related security issues could therefore be an important factor in his candidature.
Yogeshwar Ram Mishra: The Former Ayodhya DM
Yogeshwar Ram Mishra, a retired IAS officer, brings something different to the race: direct experience of administering Ayodhya.
Mishra has served as the District Magistrate of Ayodhya, giving him experience of managing the city’s administration at a time when the Ram temple project and Ayodhya’s transformation were major priorities.
The former bureaucrat’s administrative experience extends beyond routine district governance. His profile has also been associated with major infrastructure and religious-tourism projects, including responsibilities linked to the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor.
For the Trust, Mishra’s experience in Ayodhya could be a major advantage. The CEO will not merely oversee temple operations. The job involves dealing with the district administration, police, civic authorities, infrastructure agencies, pilgrims and several other stakeholders.
As a former Ayodhya DM, Mishra would already be familiar with the city’s administrative structure and the challenges associated with managing large religious gatherings.
Paresh Saxena: The Senior Police Administrator
The third name being discussed is former Bihar DGP Paresh Saxena.
Saxena was among the candidates who appeared before the selection panel during the interview process. The interviews reportedly focused on issues including temple management, administration and handling large crowds during major religious occasions.
Managing the Ram Mandir involves substantial security and operational challenges. The temple has to deal with large numbers of visitors, VIP movements, emergency situations, security arrangements and coordination with multiple government agencies.
A senior police officer with experience at the top level of the state police establishment could therefore bring significant operational and security expertise to the post.
Why The First CEO Matters
The appointment comes at a crucial stage in the development of the Ram Mandir and Ayodhya. With the temple drawing enormous numbers of devotees, the Trust needs an administrative structure capable of handling everything from crowd management and security to finances, infrastructure, staff, facilities and coordination with government agencies.
The appointment also comes at a time when questions around donation collection, transparency and alleged irregularities involving people claiming to collect money in the name of the Ram Mandir have underlined the importance of strong institutional safeguards. The first CEO could consequently play an important role in strengthening systems for donation management, financial accountability and public trust.
The person chosen will thus have to do much more than oversee temple operations. The first CEO will be tasked with helping build an administrative system for one of India’s most prominent religious institutions, one that can handle millions of devotees, large-scale donations, security requirements and the expanding infrastructure around the Ram Mandir.
Quick Answers
Ask News18The new Ram Mandir CEO will face the challenge of building an administrative system for the institution. The role involves managing day-to-day operations, coordinating with multiple government agencies, and handling millions of visiting devotees, including VIP movements. Additionally, the CEO will have to manage substantial security requirements, emergency situations, large-scale donations, and the expanding infrastructure around the temple.
Ask News18About the Author
Apoorva Misra is an Associate Editor at News18.com with a keen interest in politics and current affairs. She loves uncovering fresh angles and telling stories through long-form features and explainers…Read More
Ayodhya, India, India
September 02, 2026, 08:38 IST
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