Following a donation embezzlement investigation that shook temple administration, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has shortlisted 18 candidates from over 5,300 applicants to interview for its first full-time chief executive officer position in Ayodhya on August 11 and 12, 2026.
Narrowing Down More Than 5,300 Applicants in Ayodhya
What began as an open call for administrative leadership yielded a massive response from across the country. After receiving more than 5,300 applications, a three-member screening committee spent nearly 20 days reviewing submissions, conducting virtual interactions, and narrowing the candidate pool down to 18 finalists according to reporting from The Indian Express. Those shortlisted candidates reached Ayodhya late on Monday, staying at various local locations designated by the trust as detailed by Hindustantimes.
The final face-to-face interviews take place on Tuesday and Wednesday directly inside the Ram temple premises noted India Today. Candidates have received strict instructions not to interact with the media during this phase reported Hindustantimes.
Following the interviews, the panel will select three final names to present to the trust noted The New Indian Express. The trust is scheduled to announce the final appointment on September 2, 2026 according to news18.com.
The Selection Panel and Rigorous Criteria
The high-profile interview panel features retired Supreme Court judge Justice Pramod Kohli, retired Lieutenant General Vishnukant Chaturvedi, and retired nuclear scientist Suresh Haware, who previously served as chairperson of the Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust in Shirdi reported The Indian Express. The applicant pool is largely composed of retired bureaucrats, former senior corporate executives, and retired defense officials noted The Indian Express, alongside former senior position holders of temples in South India according to Hindustantimes.
To qualify for the post, candidates must meet strict personal and professional standards. Applicants must be retired, practicing Hindus aged between 50 and 70 years, with at least 20 years of experience managing large establishments stated The Indian Express. Furthermore, the selected individual must be a pure vegetarian and a strict teetotaller confirmed India Today.
See, the individual would have to be extraordinary. He must have prior experience of managing a large organisation, but at the same time, this is a public place that requires day-to-day management.
a selection committee member, via The Indian Express
Embezzlement Investigations and the Governance Crisis
The push to appoint a CEO reported news18.com directly follows a major financial controversy. Trust officials decided to appoint a CEO after allegations of donation embezzlement emerged in the first week of June 2026 noted India Today.
In response to the allegations, the Uttar Pradesh government established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) on June 13 reported India Today. Following a preliminary report submitted on June 23, an FIR was registered on June 25, leading to the arrest of eight individuals: Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra, Subhash Srivastava, and Ramashankar Yadav alias Tinnu Yadav according to India Today. Police recovered cash, gold, silver, and foreign currency during the raids, with the largest single cash recovery of Rs 20.39 lakh seized from Shukla noted India Today. Separately, court proceedings led to the judicial custody of all eight accused being extended until August 24 reported Hindustantimes.
Primary Responsibilities Awaiting the First Chief Executive
The incoming executive will oversee the administration and management of the Ram temple’s affairs and businesses reported The Indian Express.
What Lies Ahead for the Temple Administration
As the interview panel reviews the final 18 candidates in Ayodhya, the immediate focus remains on securing a leader capable of stabilizing internal financial controls and restoring public confidence. With judicial proceedings for the eight arrested accused moving toward an August 24 milestone noted Hindustantimes, all eyes turn to the trust’s upcoming meeting on September 2, 2026 reported news18.com, where the final choice for Ayodhya’s first chief executive officer is slated for public announcement.
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