Source NDTV
January 21, 2026 — New Delhi
Deepinder Goyal, co-founder of Zomato and long-time chief executive of its parent company Eternal Ltd., has announced that he will step down from his role as Group CEO and Managing Director, effective February 1, 2026. The leadership transition marks a significant shift at one of India’s biggest consumer internet companies.
The board of Eternal has named Albinder Singh Dhindsa, founder and current CEO of quick-commerce arm Blinkit, as the incoming Group CEO. Dhindsa will take charge of daily operations and strategic execution while Goyal moves into the role of Vice Chairman of the Board, pending shareholder approval.
Reasons Behind the Move
In a letter to shareholders, Goyal explained that he had been increasingly drawn to new, high-risk ideas and experimental ventures that fall outside the strategic scope and risk tolerance of a public company. He said such projects are better pursued outside Eternal’s core business framework. According to the letter, the evolving obligations and regulatory expectations of leading a publicly listed company in India require singular focus, which influenced his decision to step back from day-to-day leadership.
Goyal emphasized that this leadership change does not reflect a loss of commitment to the company’s long-term success. He stated that Eternal remains “his life’s work” and explained he intends to stay involved in shaping the company’s culture, leadership development, and governance.
About Albinder Dhindsa’s Promotion
Albinder Dhindsa, an IIT alumnus and the driving force behind Blinkit’s transformation, will now head Eternal’s overall operations. Under Dhindsa’s leadership, Blinkit became a cornerstone of the group’s growth strategy, transitioning from acquisition to profitability and emerging as a major revenue contributor. Eternal’s recent financials showed a 73% year-on-year profit increase, reflecting the expanding influence of quick commerce on the company’s performance.
Goyal expressed confidence in Dhindsa’s ability, describing him as a “battle-hardened founder” whose execution strength and operational acumen are well suited to lead Eternal into its next phase of growth.
Market and Strategic Implications
The leadership shift arrives at a pivotal moment for the company, which recently rebranded from Zomato to Eternal to better reflect its multi-business structure that includes food delivery, quick commerce, and other digital services. With Blinkit now a primary growth engine, industry observers see Dhindsa’s elevation as a strategic move to unify operations under specialized leadership.
Shares of Eternal saw a positive reaction following the announcement, closing higher as markets digested the transition and reaffirmed confidence in the company’s future trajectory.
What’s Next for Goyal
While stepping back from his executive role, Goyal’s ongoing influence as Vice Chairman will shape long-term strategy and governance. He has also been active in exploring ventures outside Eternal, including projects in aerospace and longevity research, indicating his interests may stretch into entirely new industries in the coming years.
