Deepinder Goyal Steps Down as Eternal CEO, New Leadership Announced
Eternal Limited, the company formerly known as Zomato, has announced a major leadership change that marks the end of an era. Founder Deepinder Goyal will step down as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, with Blinkit CEO Albinder Singh Dhindsa set to take over the top role.
The transition will officially take place on February 1, 2026. While Goyal is moving away from day-to-day operations, he will continue to remain involved with the company in a different capacity.
What the Company Announced
In a filing to the stock exchange, Eternal Limited said its board has accepted Goyal’s resignation as Director, Managing Director, and CEO. His exit from the executive role will be effective at the close of business on February 1, 2026.
At the same time, the board has proposed Goyal’s appointment as Vice Chairman and Director for a five-year term. This appointment will require approval from shareholders, ensuring Goyal remains connected to the company’s long-term vision.
The board also confirmed the appointment of Albinder Singh Dhindsa as the new CEO and Key Managerial Personnel of Eternal Limited, effective from the same date.
Who Is Taking Over as CEO?
Albinder Singh Dhindsa, currently the CEO of Blinkit, will take charge of Eternal’s day-to-day operations. The company said Dhindsa is not related to any directors or key managerial personnel and faces no regulatory restrictions in assuming the role.
Dhindsa is widely credited with leading Blinkit’s transformation after its acquisition by Zomato. Under his leadership, the quick commerce platform moved from heavy losses to breakeven, becoming a key growth engine for the group.
Deepinder Goyal praised Dhindsa’s leadership, saying his ability to execute and manage complex businesses made him the right choice to lead Eternal into its next phase.
Why Deepinder Goyal Is Stepping Down
In a letter addressed to shareholders, Goyal explained that his decision to step away from the CEO role was driven by a growing interest in exploring new ideas that carry higher risks.
He said these ideas are better pursued outside a listed company like Eternal, which needs to remain focused and disciplined in its strategy.
“Of late, I have found myself drawn to a set of new ideas that involve significantly higher-risk exploration and experimentation,” Goyal wrote. “These are better undertaken outside a public company.”
He added that if these ideas aligned with Eternal’s core business, he would have pursued them within the company. Since they do not, he believes it is best for Eternal to stay focused on growth areas relevant to its current operations.
What Changes Under the New Structure
With the leadership transition, all day-to-day operating decisions will move fully under Dhindsa’s control. As Group CEO, he will be responsible for execution, setting operating priorities, and making business decisions across Eternal’s portfolio.
Goyal said this shift would bring clarity and accountability to the company’s leadership structure.
As part of the transition, all of Goyal’s unvested employee stock options will return to the company’s ESOP pool, according to the disclosure.
A Look at Eternal’s Financial Update
Alongside the leadership announcement, the board also approved the company’s unaudited standalone and consolidated financial results for the quarter and nine months ended December 31, 2025.
The financial results were reviewed by Deloitte Haskins & Sells, the company’s statutory auditors, through a limited review process.
While the filing focused primarily on leadership changes, the approval of financials signals stability as Eternal prepares for a major management shift.
Deepinder Goyal’s Journey With Zomato
Deepinder Goyal co-founded Zomato in 2008 with Pankaj Chaddah. The platform was originally launched as Foodiebay before being rebranded as Zomato.
Over the years, Zomato grew into one of India’s largest food delivery platforms and later expanded into restaurant discovery, dining, and quick commerce. The company eventually rebranded as Eternal Limited to reflect its broader business ambitions.
Pankaj Chaddah exited the company several years ago, after which Goyal took on a more central leadership role as the organization scaled rapidly.
Why Goyal Has Been Preparing to Step Away
In a recent podcast interview, Goyal revealed that he had been mentally prepared to step down as CEO for several years. He said that after Zomato became a large organization, he began questioning whether he was best suited to continue as CEO.
“For two or three years, I was ready to step down,” he said. “I felt that I can’t be CEO now. This is a very large organisation. Chief product officer is my game.”
His comments suggest that the transition has been carefully thought out rather than a sudden decision.
What Goyal Plans to Do Next
Over the past year, Goyal has increasingly focused on ventures outside Eternal. He has invested both time and capital into projects that reflect his interest in deep technology, health, and long-term human potential.
He has invested $20 million in LAT Aerospace, a startup founded by former Zomato chief operating officer Surobhi Das. Goyal serves as a non-executive cofounder of the company.
He has also launched Continue, a health and wellness initiative focused on extending human lifespan, and Temple, a wearable device designed to monitor brain blood flow.
These projects reflect the kind of experimental and high-risk ideas Goyal says are better pursued outside a publicly listed company.
What This Means for Eternal’s Future
The leadership transition marks a new chapter for Eternal Limited. With Dhindsa taking over as CEO and Goyal moving into a vice chairman role, the company is positioning itself for stability, focus, and disciplined growth.
Investors and employees will be watching closely to see how Dhindsa shapes the company’s next phase, especially as competition in food delivery and quick commerce continues to intensify.
While Goyal steps back from daily operations, his influence on the company’s long-term direction is expected to remain, at least in the near future.
