Ayodhya: Air Marshal (retd) Jeetendra Mishra has been appointed the first full-time Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra
Trust, which oversees the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Mishra’s appointment marks a move towards a more structured and professional administrative setup for the trust. He will oversee the day-to-day functioning of the temple organisation, including administration, finances, pilgrim facilities and security.
Who is Jeetendra Mishra?
Mishra served in the Indian Air Force for nearly 39 years. He was commissioned as a fighter pilot on December 6, 1986, and retired on April 30, 2026, after reaching the age of superannuation.
His military education includes training at the National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla and the Air Force Academy in Dundigal. He also attended the Air Force Test Pilots School in Bengaluru, the Air Command and Staff College in Montgomery, Alabama, and the Royal College of Defence Studies in the UK.
Ram Temple Trust CEO
During his career, Mishra built extensive experience in fighter operations and aircraft testing. He qualified as a Fighter Combat Leader and Experimental Test Pilot and accumulated more than 3,000 hours of flying.
He flew more than 18 types of fighter and transport aircraft and helicopters. His appointments included commanding a MiG-21 fighter squadron and serving as Chief Test Pilot at the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s Nasik facility.
Ram Temple CEO
Mishra subsequently held several senior operational and staff positions. These included commanding 15 Wing in Bareilly and 18 Wing in Pathankot, serving as Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Projects) at Air Headquarters and heading ASTE as its Commandant.
He also served as Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff for Doctrine, Organisation and Training and later for Operations.
One of his most significant assignments was as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Western Air Command from January 1, 2025, until his retirement.
The command is responsible for the Indian Air Force’s western sector. Mishra headed it during a period that included Operation Sindoor, for which he was awarded the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal in 2025.
He had earlier received the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2024 and the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2013.
New role in Ayodhya
As the trust’s first full-time CEO, Mishra will now move from military command to temple administration. His appointment comes as the trust seeks to strengthen its professional management and streamline its expanding responsibilities following a donation-related controversy earlier this year.
