Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra (Retd) was on Wednesday named the first CEO of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The decision was taken at a meeting attended by Trust president Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, Swami Kamalnayan Das, interim general secretary Dr Krishna Mohan, trustee Mahant Dinendra Das and treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri, among others.
There were 5,585 applications for the post, of which three candidates were shortlisted. He retired from the Indian Air Force on April 30, 2026, after nearly 40 years of service. His career culminated with his appointment as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command, from January 1, 2025, to April 30, 2026. An experimental test pilot and fighter combat leader, Mishra has logged more than 3,000 flying hours across over 18 aircraft types.
Mishra was eventually selected to head the Trust. The appointment comes amid the controversy over the alleged theft of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya . The alleged theft led to the arrest of eight people and the resignation of Champat Rai as general secretary in June. The appointment of a professional CEO is one of the steps taken by the temple Trust to regain public confidence. Air Marshal Mishra served as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Air Command during Operation Sindoor and directed air operations during the mission, ensuring air superiority. He has been decorated with several military honours, including the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal.
Earlier, he served as Deputy Chief, Integrated Defence Staff (Operations).
