Who Is Jeetendra Mishra, The New CEO Of Ayodhya Ram Temple Trust?

Retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra, a decorated fighter pilot who spearheaded key operations during the Kargil War and Operation Sindoor, has been appointed as the first Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in Ayodhya.

Selection committees chose the veteran officer on Wednesday following a rigorous screening process involving more than 5,000 applicants. The administrative overhaul comes as the Ram Temple complex transitions into an operational phase demanding large-scale institutional management, crowd control, and infrastructure development.

Strategic Military Command to Administrative Oversight

Mishra brings over 38 years of service in the Indian Air Force to Ayodhya. He retired after heading the Western Air Command, one of the force's most critical operational arms, after taking charge on 1 January 2025.

Commissioned into the fighter stream on 6 December 1986, Mishra logged over 3,000 flying hours across 18 types of aircraft, including fighters, transports, and helicopters. His career includes operational command of a fighter squadron, leading two frontline air bases, and heading the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) as chief test pilot.

His academic credentials span top national and international defense institutions. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy and the Air Force Academy, Mishra also trained at the Air Command and Staff College in Alabama, United States, and the Royal College of Defence Studies in the United Kingdom.

Legacy in National Defence

The IAF veteran holds an outstanding record in high-stakes combat operations. During the Kargil War’s Operation Safed Sagar, Mishra played a direct role in integration efforts that allowed Mirage 2000 jets to drop laser-guided bombs on enemy positions across Tiger Hill and Muntho Dhalo.

Recognised repeatedly for distinguished service, Mishra received the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2013 and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2024. Most recently, he was awarded the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal on Independence Day 2025 for his leadership during Operation Sindoor.

Before leading the Western Air Command, Mishra held senior staff posts at Air Headquarters and Integrated Defence Staff, serving as Deputy Chief overseeing operational planning, doctrines, and training modules.

Steering Ayodhya’s Next Phase

The appointment of a high-ranking military strategist marks a structural shift for the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. As CEO, Mishra will oversee day-to-day administration, security coordination, and ongoing construction projects across the expansive temple precinct.