Ram Mandir CEO Race: Ex-IPS ‘Encounter Specialist’ Rajesh Pandey, Former DMs Among 18 Shortlisted Candidates
Ayodhya, August 11, 2026: The selection process for the first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir has reached an important stage, with 18 candidates now shortlisted from more than 5,300 applications received for the high-profile post.
Among those in the race are retired IPS officer Rajesh Kumar Pandey, a former Uttar Pradesh Police officer known for his role in counter-terror and anti-organised crime operations, and former district magistrates Dinesh Chandra and Yogeshwar Ram Mishra. The selection process is being conducted for the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, which manages the Ram Mandir complex.
Eight shortlisted candidates appeared for interviews on Tuesday, with the interaction taking place between 11:30 AM and 2 PM. According to sources, each candidate was interviewed for approximately 15 to 20 minutes, with the panel assessing their administrative experience, leadership abilities and suitability for the demanding CEO position.
The current round will eventually narrow the field down to three names. These three candidates will then face a final round of interviews conducted by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which will make the final selection for the first CEO of the temple.
Rajesh Pandey’s Police Career Makes Him a Notable Contender
Among the names attracting considerable attention is retired IPS officer Rajesh Kumar Pandey. A 2003-batch IPS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, Pandey retired from service on June 30, 2021, as Inspector General of Police, Bareilly Range.
Pandey had a long and eventful policing career in Uttar Pradesh. He was associated with the formation and functioning of specialised police units such as the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force and Anti-Terrorism Squad, and worked extensively on cases involving organised crime and terrorism.
He became particularly well known for his involvement in operations against dreaded gangster Shri Prakash Shukla, who was accused of plotting to assassinate then Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Kalyan Singh. His work during that period contributed to his reputation as an officer who specialised in high-risk anti-crime operations.
Pandey also had an interest in technology-driven policing. During his career, he worked on electronic mobile-phone surveillance techniques and their use in counter-terrorism and anti-mafia investigations.
He served as Senior Superintendent of Police in several important districts, including Lucknow, Meerut and Aligarh, besides holding various other senior positions. In 2008, he was also associated with the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Kosovo, adding international exposure to his policing experience.
Decorated Officer With Extensive Experience
Pandey’s service record includes several major recognitions. He received the President’s Police Medal for Gallantry four times, in 1999, 2000, 2007 and 2016. He was also awarded the President’s Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 2005. His other honours include Silver, Gold and Platinum Commendation Discs awarded by the Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police in 2018, 2020 and 2021.
Following his retirement from the police service, Pandey continued to remain involved in public-sector work. He served as a nodal officer with the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA).
He has also pursued writing and storytelling after retirement. Pandey has written about real-life police cases and has been associated with a YouTube channel where he shares stories based on his experiences in policing.
Rajesh Pandey Also Has an Academic and Research Background
Pandey’s professional journey did not begin with the police. Before entering the civil services, he had an academic and research background in science. Born on June 15, 1961, in Lalapur in Prayagraj district, he completed his early education in Uttar Pradesh and later studied at Government Inter College, Allahabad.
He completed his B.Sc. in Biology in 1983 and subsequently obtained an M.Sc. in Botany from Allahabad University. He also cleared the UGC NET/JRF examination and briefly worked as a Research Associate at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Pusa, New Delhi.
Pandey entered the Uttar Pradesh Provincial Police Service in 1986 and began his field training in 1988. He was subsequently inducted into the IPS in 2003.
His post-retirement interests have extended into literature as well. His book Varchasva received the Rajbhasha Puruskar, adding another dimension to a career that has included policing, administration, research and writing.
Former Jaunpur DM Dinesh Chandra Also Shortlisted
Another prominent candidate is Dr. Dinesh Chandra Singh, a 2012-batch IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre. He has considerable experience in both district administration and senior government assignments.
Dinesh Chandra served as District Magistrate and Collector of Jaunpur from September 2024. He later moved to the Uttar Pradesh government secretariat and is currently serving as Special Secretary in the Public Works Department in Lucknow.
A native of Bijnor, Chandra was born on January 7, 1966. His academic background is also notable, with an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, along with an LL.B. in Constitutional and Administrative Law from the University of Allahabad. He entered government service through the State Civil Service and was subsequently promoted to the IAS cadre in 2012.
Five Districts as DM
Dinesh Chandra has accumulated substantial field experience during his administrative career. His postings have included both district-level and senior secretariat responsibilities, giving him exposure to a wide range of governance issues.
He served as Chief Development Officer in Aligarh in 2018 and subsequently became Municipal Commissioner of the Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation in 2019. He later served as Special Secretary in the Culture Department of the Uttar Pradesh government.
His experience as a district magistrate is particularly extensive. He has served as DM of Kanpur Dehat, Bahraich, Saharanpur and Jaunpur, giving him experience in managing large district administrations and dealing directly with citizens and local institutions.
He became DM of Kanpur Dehat in August 2020, moved to Bahraich in June 2021 and later served as DM of Saharanpur in 2023. In September 2024, he took charge as District Magistrate of Jaunpur. In May 2026, he was appointed Special Secretary in the Public Works Department in Lucknow.
Governance and Public Outreach Work
Chandra’s administrative career has also involved several initiatives related to agriculture, technology and public welfare. His work at the district level has brought him recognition beyond routine administrative responsibilities.
During his tenure as a district magistrate, he personally participated in the cultivation of Dhaincha, a green manure crop, to encourage farmers to adopt agricultural practices that can help improve soil health.
Jaunpur also received recognition during his tenure for public participation in governance. The district secured the first position in Uttar Pradesh for the highest number of development suggestions submitted through the Samarth Portal. Chandra was also selected for the Indian Express Excellence in Governance Award in March 2025, recognising his administrative work and governance initiatives.
Three Names Will Make the Final Cut
The CEO selection process is now moving towards its decisive stage. From the more than 5,300 applications initially received, the selection process has narrowed the field to 18 candidates.
The shortlisted pool includes three former IAS officers, one former IPS officer and four former military officers among the candidates interviewed on Tuesday. Their backgrounds reflect the kind of administrative, security, organisational and leadership experience being considered for the newly created CEO position.
The next major step will be the preparation of a final list of three candidates. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust will then conduct the final interviews before choosing the person who will become the first CEO of the Ram Mandir.
The position is expected to carry significant administrative responsibility given the scale and importance of the Ram Mandir complex. The CEO will need to coordinate multiple aspects of the institution’s functioning, including administration, visitor management, facilities, staff, security coordination and day-to-day operations.
For now, however, the race remains open. With experienced former IAS and IPS officers, military personnel and other professionals competing for the post, the final choice is likely to attract considerable attention once the Trust begins its last round of interviews.
