Deepinder Goyal Steps Down as CEO of Eternal; Albinder Dhindsa Named New Group Chief

New Delhi | January 21, 2026 — In a major leadership reshuffle at Eternal Ltd (the parent company of Zomato and Blinkit), founder Deepinder Goyal has announced his resignation as Managing Director and CEO. He will transition into a new role as Vice Chairman, effective February 1, 2026.

Taking his place as the Group CEO is Albinder Singh Dhindsa, the founder and current CEO of Blinkit.

Executive Leadership Transition

The board-approved transition marks a strategic pivot for the company, separating day-to-day operations from long-term experimental innovation.

Why the Shift? A Focus on "High-Risk" Innovation

In a letter to shareholders, Goyal explained that his move is designed to protect the core business while allowing him the freedom to innovate.

"These are the kinds of ideas that are better pursued outside a public company like Eternal. Eternal must remain focused, disciplined, and aligned with its core business priorities." — Deepinder Goyal

Key Takeaways from Goyal’s New Mandate:

• Strategic Oversight: He will continue to influence long-term strategy, leadership development, culture, and governance.

• Experimental Ventures: The shift allows him to pursue high-risk ideas that do not fit the risk profile of a publicly listed entity.

• Alignment of Interests: Goyal’s financial future remains tied to Eternal, and he has opted to revert all unvested ESOPs back to the company pool to facilitate wealth creation for the next generation of leaders.

Financial Performance Highlights (Q3 2026)

The leadership change comes amidst a period of robust growth for the consumer-tech giant:

• Consolidated Net Profit: ₹102 crore (Reporting period ending Dec 31, 2026).

• Year-on-Year Growth:72.88% increase (compared to ₹59 crore in the previous year).

• Operational Momentum: The results suggest that the transition is happening from a position of institutional strength.

Looking Ahead: The Dhindsa Era

Albinder Dhindsa’s elevation is seen as a move toward operational depth. Having successfully scaled Blinkit within the Eternal ecosystem, Dhindsa is expected to bring his execution-heavy expertise to the broader group.

Goyal remains optimistic about the company's long-term trajectory, stating his ambition is still to make Eternal India’s most valuable company and serve over a billion customers.

"This is a change in title, not in commitment. Eternal remains my life’s work."