Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra Appointed to Key Sri Ram Mandir Trust Post

Retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra has been appointed to a key position in the Sri Ram Mandir Trust in Ayodhya after emerging as the final choice from a pool of 5,585 applicants.

Speaking to news agency ANI in his first reaction, Mishra described his selection as a “great fortune” and said he considered it the blessings of Lord Ram that he had been given an opportunity to serve at the Sri Ram Mandir after 43 years of service in the Indian Air Force.

“I consider this a great fortune that they chose me from so many candidates. I also consider this the blessings of Lord Ram that after 43 years of service to the nation in the Air Force, He has given me the opportunity to serve Sri Ram Mandir and Sri Ram bhakts,” Mishra said.

He thanked the selection committee and the Trust for placing their confidence in him, and sought divine blessings to discharge his new responsibilities effectively.

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.

5,585 Candidates Applied

As many as 5,585 applications were received for the post, following which three candidates were shortlisted. Mishra was ultimately selected by the Trust.

His appointment comes amid a controversy surrounding the alleged theft of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The case resulted in the arrest of eight people and the resignation of Champat Rai as general secretary in June.

Who Is Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra?

Born in Uttar Pradesh’s Deoria district, Air Marshal (Retd) Jeetendra Mishra served as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Air Command during Operation Sindoor. He was responsible for directing air operations during the mission and played a key role in ensuring air superiority.

Mishra was awarded the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal for his role in Operation Sindoor.

He retired from the Indian Air Force on April 30, 2026, following nearly four decades of service. His final assignment was as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command, a position he held from January 1, 2025, until his retirement.

Before that, Mishra served as Deputy Chief, Integrated Defence Staff (Operations). He also held several senior positions at Air Headquarters, including director of the Operational Planning and Assessment Group.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy in Pune, Mishra also attended the Air Force Test Pilots School in Bengaluru, the Air Command and Staff College in the United States and the Royal College of Defence Studies in the United Kingdom.

Commissioned into the Indian Air Force on December 6, 1986, Mishra is an experimental test pilot and fighter combat leader with more than 3,000 flying hours across over 18 aircraft types.