Candidates competing for the position of the first full-time Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust are navigating a unique screening process that evaluates personal lifestyle, religious devotion, and administrative competence.
The Trust shortlisted 18 candidates from a pool of over 5,200 applicants. The shortlisted pool includes former IAS, IPS, and military officers.
Face-to-face interviews are taking place behind closed doors at the Green House inside the Ram Mandir complex in Ayodhya.
Before stepping into the interview room, candidates were required to complete an exhaustive 34-point questionnaire that detailed their personal background, dietary habits, and religious observances.
The form asked applicants whether they sport a shikha or tuft of hair, wear a janeu or sacred thread, and consume non-vegetarian food or alcohol.
Evaluators also asked if candidates consider themselves “staunch Hindus,” whether they would comfortably wear traditional Hindu attire, and how deeply they hold faith in Lord Ram.
Alongside questions on personal faith, the committee questioned applicants on their past administrative experience, crowd management capability for major religious gatherings, and long-term vision for the shrine.
Each interview lasted between 40 to 60 minutes, testing leadership temperament alongside religious commitment.
A three-member selection panel is conducting the evaluation process. The panel features former High Court Chief Justice Pramod Kohli, retired Lieutenant General Vishnukant Chaturvedi, and former Shirdi Sai Baba Trust Chairman Suresh Haware. The committee will recommend three final names to the Trust before September 2.
The executive committee will then conduct final interactions to appoint the CEO, who will manage administrative, statutory, and security operations at the temple.
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