The Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is set to appoint the first full-time chief executive officer (CEO) of the Ram temple in Ayodhya on Wednesday, a day after a search committee submitted the names of three shortlisted candidates.
The decision is expected at a meeting of the Trust at Maniramdas Chhawani, the residence of Trust president Mahant Nritya Gopal Das.
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The multi-stage selection process drew 5,585 applications, with the final three candidates shortlisted after an evaluation that combined AI-enabled screening with manual assessment.
Besides appointing the CEO, the trustees are expected to discuss filling three vacant trustee posts, amendments to the Trust deed, appointment of a press spokesperson and other administrative matters.
The CEO post was created after an alleged embezzlement of temple donations led to greater scrutiny of the Trust's financial management. Eight people have been arrested in the case, while former general secretary Champat Rai, trustee Anil Mishra and another office-bearer stepped down following the controversy.
Most Trust members have reached Ayodhya ahead of the meeting, while some are expected to participate virtually.
Trust members have remained tight-lipped about the likely appointment, saying the final decision will be taken only after deliberations by the board of trustees.
Mahant Dinendra Das, a member of the Trust, told reporters that the final decision would be taken "unanimously" and maintained that the "outcome would be announced only after the meeting concludes."
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The search committee, headed by retired Justice Pramod Kohli and comprising retired Lieutenant General Vishnukant Chaturvedi and former scientist Suresh Haware, handed its final report to Trust treasurer Govind Dev Giri on Tuesday.
According to committee secretary Sameer Panda, the panel recommended "three highly qualified professionals" after a comprehensive evaluation based on institutional leadership, management expertise, integrity and vision required to head an institution of national and international significance.
Sources said retired bureaucrats are among the leading contenders for the post, although the identities of the three shortlisted candidates have not been disclosed.
Under the selection process, a 600-mark evaluation framework was used to scrutinise the applications, with 3,577 candidates taking part in the initial assessment. Candidates scoring 470 marks or above were shortlisted, leading to virtual interactions with 108 applicants and final interviews of 16 candidates in Ayodhya on August 11 and 12.
The Trust is also expected to consider amendments to its deed to clearly define the CEO's powers and responsibilities, institutionalise the new administrative structure and streamline coordination among various Trust committees.
Financial and administrative matters are also likely to come up for discussion, including issues arising from the temple donation case and coordination of security arrangements with local authorities.
