Deepinder Goyal, founder and Group CEO of Eternal Ltd, the parent company of Zomato and Blinkit, has announced he will step down as CEO and Managing Director effective 1 Feb 2026, transitioning to the role of Vice Chairman on the company’s board, subject to shareholder approval. The leadership change was communicated in a shareholder letter and regulatory filings as part of a broader strategic realignment.
In his letter, Goyal said the decision stems from a desire to pursue new, higher-risk ideas that fall outside the strategic scope of a listed public company. “Of late, I have found myself drawn to a set of new ideas that involve significantly higher-risk exploration and experimentation. These are the kinds of ideas that are better pursued outside a public company like Eternal,” he wrote, stressing the need for the firm’s leadership to maintain focused and disciplined execution. “If these ideas belonged inside Eternal’s strategic scope, I would have pursued them within the company. They do not,” he added.
Eternal’s board has appointed Albinder Singh Dhindsa, currently CEO of Blinkit, as the new Group CEO, effective 1 Feb 2026. Goyal described Dhindsa as having the “DNA of a battle-hardened founder” whose “ability to execute far exceeds mine,” citing his role in steering Blinkit from acquisition toward breakeven and building its team, culture, and operating rhythm. Dhindsa will lead day-to-day execution, operating priorities, and business decisions for Eternal.
The leadership transition coincides with strong financial performance in Q3 FY26, with Eternal reporting a 73% YoY jump in consolidated net profit to Rs 102 crore and a 201% YoY surge in revenue from operations to Rs 16,315 crore, underscoring momentum across its food delivery and quick commerce businesses.
Goyal reaffirmed his long-term involvement in the company’s strategic direction, culture, and governance, committing to work closely with Dhindsa and the executive team even as he pursues ventures beyond Eternal’s current strategic boundaries.
