The search for Ayodhya's Ram Mandir Trust to hire its first full time chief executive officer has entered a decisive stage, with a second round of interviews underway today that probe not just candidates' administrative record but also their personal faith. The selection is being closely watched nationwide since the role will directly shape how the temple is run on a day to day basis.
Eighteen candidates being screened over two days
Eight former officials were called in after 10 am today, a day after roughly ten candidates had already gone through their interviews. Between the two days, the panel is working through all 18 candidates who applied for the post, with the remaining names being covered today itself.
Former IAS and IPS officers among the applicants
The list of applicants for the CEO's post includes several former IAS and IPS officers. Around 20 years of administrative experience is being treated as the key qualification, meaning the panel is looking for proven capability in running large administrative setups, not just seniority on paper. For a temple complex of this scale and profile, the trust appears to want someone who has already managed sizeable teams and complex systems.
Faith in Lord Ram is on the checklist too
The interview panel isn't limiting itself to questions about career history. Candidates are also being asked what kind of Hindu they consider themselves and how deep their personal faith in Lord Ram runs. Alongside this, their administrative competence, leadership style and readiness to take on responsibilities tied to the temple are being assessed, so that whoever is picked fits the institution in spirit and not just on qualifications. That combination suggests the trust sees this hire as more than a routine administrative appointment.
Only three names will move forward from 18
Based on the interviews and the selection process, three officials are expected to be shortlisted from the 18 candidates. The trust's selection committee will then pick one of these three names to finally take charge as CEO. Once today's interviews wrap up, the process will move into its next stage, and whoever is chosen will be handed responsibility for the trust's day to day administrative and management functions.
Interviews being held at the pilgrim facilitation centre
The entire interview process is being conducted in the conference room built inside the pilgrim facilitation centre in Ayodhya. All 18 candidates had already arrived in Ayodhya late Monday night and were put up at locations arranged by the trust, so the interviews could begin without delay from Tuesday morning.
Decision followed allegations of theft from temple offerings
The trust decided to appoint a full time CEO after allegations surfaced regarding theft of offerings made at the temple. Those incidents appear to have pushed the trust toward strengthening administrative oversight and accountability, which is why the plan now is to place an experienced, permanent officer in charge of the post. The trust is hoping that an experienced CEO will help it manage donations, offerings and day to day temple operations more effectively.
