Retired Air Marshal Jitendra Mishra, known for his bravery, exceptional leadership and technical proficiency in the history of the Indian Air Force, has now been given a new and very important responsibility. He has been appointed the first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, after which discussions have intensified across the country about his administrative ability and military background. Jitendra Mishra, who has served in the Indian Air Force guarding the country's borders for more than three decades, has led many risky and sensitive operations during his career that have brought laurels to the country. His journey between Rafale, Sukhoi and other modern technological era is no less than an inspiration. Now the responsibility of overseeing the grand management, administrative transparency and financial matters of the Ram temple in Ayodhya has fallen into the hands of a person whose discipline and efficiency have been unmatched. This appointment will not only bring professionalism in the management of the temple, but will also give a strong direction to the future plans. Jitendra Mishra's glorious and glorious journey from being a pilot officer to becoming an Air Marshal, the military journey is no less than an inspiring story. He joined the Indian Air Force as a fighter pilot on 6 December 1986 and reached this position on the basis of his hard work and ability. He is a skilled fighter combat leader as well as an experienced experimental test pilot. He has received his higher military and strategic education from prestigious institutions in the country and abroad, including the National Defense Academy, Pune, Air Force Test Pilots School, Bengaluru, Air Command and Staff College, USA and Royal College of Defense Studies, UK. He has the unique experience of flying more than 3,000 hours during his long and distinguished career spanning over 39 years in the Indian Air Force. During his service, he held important positions ranging from Commanding Officer of a Fighter Squadron to Chief Test Pilot at the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) and Air Officer Commanding of two frontline air bases. On 30 April 2026, he retired from the post of Air Marshal and now he is going to start a new chapter of national service. He had shown his extraordinary bravery in 'Operation Sindoor' and 'Operation Safed Sagar'. During his long military career, Air Marshal Jitendra Mishra has proved his leadership ability in many important strategic operations. Be it 'Operation Sindoor' conducted against Pakistan and terrorist hideouts in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir or other challenging operations of the Air Force, his strategy proved to be accurate everywhere. In January 2025, he took charge of the Western Air Command, considered one of the most important operational commands of the Indian Air Force. His role as Director (Operational Planning and Assessment Group) and Deputy Chief of Integrated Defense Staff (Operations) at Air Headquarters has been highly commendable. For his incomparable contributions and extraordinary services in the security of the country, he has been awarded the country's prestigious 'Ati Vishisht Seva Medal' and 'Vishisht Seva Medal'. His strategic thinking and ability to take tough decisions in times of crisis will now prove to be completely helpful in strengthening the administrative structure of Ram Mandir Trust. What will be the role of Air Marshal Jitendra Mishra in Ram Mandir Trust and how was the selection According to Nripendra Mishra, Chairman of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, it was very important to have a full-time and capable CEO to bring high level of professional transparency, good governance and modern management systems in the functioning of the temple. Jitendra Mishra will work with complete autonomy under the Trust without any outside government interference and will report directly to the General Secretary. He will be accountable as the supreme executive officer for all legal, administrative and financial matters of the temple and will develop long-term plans as per the nature of the organisation. The selection process for this post was quite long and transparent, which started on July 6. A high-level selection committee, after intensive screening of a total of 5,585 applications, shortlisted 111 candidates for online interview and finally 16 best candidates were called for face-to-face interview in Ayodhya. After this, the selection panel submitted its report to the Chairman of the Trust, Mahant Nritya Gopal Das Maharaj, after which the prestigious post was approved in the form of Air Marshal Jitendra Mishra.
