Historic Administrative Step for Ram Temple
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is poised to make a significant administrative decision today, Wednesday, September 2, 2026, by appointing its first full-time Chief Executive Officer (CEO). This pivotal meeting, held in Ayodhya, marks a major milestone aimed at bringing greater operational efficiency and transparency to the management of the revered Ram Temple.
Rigorous Selection Process Concludes
The appointment follows an extensive search conducted by a three-member committee. This panel comprised distinguished individuals: retired Justice Pramod Kohli, retired Lieutenant General V.K. Chaturvedi, and scientist Dr. Suresh Haware. Their task was to identify a suitable candidate from a pool of 5,585 applicants.
The selection process was meticulous, beginning with a Google Form-based screening for 3,577 candidates who met initial eligibility. From this, 108 top scorers underwent virtual interactions, eventually leading to 17 individuals being shortlisted for in-person interviews in Ayodhya. After these interviews, the committee recommended a final panel of three candidates to the Trust, with sources indicating that retired bureaucrats are among the front-runners.
Addressing Governance and Transparency
This move to professionalize the Trust's leadership comes amid significant administrative restructuring. The appointment of a full-time CEO is part of a broader initiative to strengthen governance, following recent controversies. These included allegations of theft of offerings and the resignations of former general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra in late June.
The creation of the CEO post and other trustee-level changes reflect a determined push by the Trust for enhanced accountability and more robust management practices.
Awaiting Official Announcement
The crucial Trust meeting is scheduled to commence at 2 pm today at the residence of Trust president Nritya Gopal Das at Maniramdas Chhawani in Ayodhya. Trust member Mahant Dinendra Das Maharaj confirmed the schedule, stating that all members would agree on the decision taken.
While the appointment is expected to be finalized during the session, the Trust has indicated that a public announcement of the selected candidate's name may not be immediate. Committee secretary Sameer Panda confirmed that the Trust would make the final decision and announce the candidate "in due course." Treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj echoed this, noting that while he expects the announcement to happen, the timing rests with the Trust. The shortlisted candidates' identities, drawn from both government and private sectors, were presented to key office-bearers, including Swami Govind Dev Giri, Mahant Dinendra Das, general secretary Krishna Mohan, and Ayodhya District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi, setting the stage for today's final decision.