Ayodhya Ram Mandir Trust Narrows CEO Race As 16 Candidates Face Final Interviews

The selection process for the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra has entered its final stage, with a Search Committee completing interviews of 16 shortlisted candidates for the key leadership position. The final-round interviews were conducted at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra campus in Ayodhya on August 11 and 12. The candidates were evaluated by a three-member Search Committee comprising Justice (Retd.) Permod Kohli, Lieutenant General (Retd.) VK Chaturvedi and nuclear scientist Dr Suresh Hawre.

The CEO will hold an important institutional role in the functioning of the trust, which is responsible for the management and development of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple complex. The selection process has involved multiple stages of screening and assessment to identify candidates with the leadership and administrative experience required for the position. According to the committee, the recruitment process began with 5,585 applications being received.

Of these, 3,877 applicants submitted detailed curriculum vitae for consideration. The applications were evaluated on several parameters, including management capabilities, experience in handling large-scale events and personnel, personal excellence, language proficiency, vision and strategic planning. Following the initial screening, around 111 candidates were invited to participate in online interactions during the second stage of the process.

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The committee assessed candidates on their communication abilities, professional experience, vision, personality, leadership qualities and technological understanding. The final 16 candidates were selected after the earlier rounds of evaluation and were called for in-person interviews in Ayodhya. The final-stage assessment allowed the committee to examine the shortlisted candidates more closely for their suitability for a senior administrative position associated with the trust.

The recruitment process comes as the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple complex continues to develop as a major religious and pilgrimage destination. Managing such an institution involves coordinating administrative operations, personnel, large gatherings and long-term planning, making leadership and organisational capabilities important considerations in the CEO selection.

The Search Committee's three members bring experience from different professional fields. Justice (Retd.) Permod Kohli has a background in the judiciary, Lieutenant General (Retd.) VK Chaturvedi has served in the Indian Army, while Dr Suresh Hawre is a nuclear scientist. Their combined assessment is intended to help identify the candidate best suited for the trust's executive leadership requirements.

With the final interviews now completed, the selection process has reached its concluding phase. The committee will evaluate the performance and credentials of the 16 shortlisted candidates before the final appointment is made. The process reflects the trust's effort to select an individual with the administrative experience, leadership skills and strategic vision required to manage the institution's expanding responsibilities.

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