Albinder Singh Dhindsa steps up as Group CEO in 2026 founder moves to Vice Chairman 

A shift is underway at one of India’s biggest online consumer firms. Deepinder Goyal steps down from top roles in Zomato and Eternal Ltd – once known as Zomato Ltd. Leadership changes take effect after shareholder consent. He leaves behind titles like Director, Managing Director, and CEO. Now, his focus turns to bold, untested ventures beyond what a public firm can handle. This pivot opens space for new direction within the company. 

On February 1, 2026, just after business ends, Goyal steps down – the board at Eternal agrees to it. That very day, Albinder Singh Dhindsa takes over; he comes from leading Blinkit and now becomes Group CEO plus a key figure in management. Even so, Goyal stays tied to the company, shifting into the role of Vice Chairman. 

A Strategic Move Away From The Role 

Writing to shareholders at length, Goyal said stepping back isn’t about being worn out or doubting Eternal’s path. Instead, his attention keeps drifting toward bolder concepts – ones that live far beyond typical boundaries. He believes those paths thrive best beyond public firms, where rules plus pressure from investors demand tighter control and clearer priorities. 

“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 the kinds of ideas that are better pursued outside a public company like Eternal.” 

Finding those concepts didn’t fit within Eternal’s broader direction, he’d have explored them had they matched the vision. Yet because they sit beyond what the organization considers acceptable risk, moving away from leadership feels like the right move to him. 

What stands out is how Goyal pointed to the distinct strain tied to running a public firm in India, where laws and duties pull hard on one’s time. Though he saw himself able to handle dual responsibilities, it was clear to him that guiding Eternal well means being fully present. Growth over years won’t hold without someone giving their whole mind to it. 

Steady Leadership at the Center 

Even though he stepped back from daily tasks, Goyal said his dedication to Eternal hasn’t shifted one bit. In his role as Vice Chairman, guiding future direction stays on his mind; building strong leaders comes next. Culture matters deeply, so attention there won’t fade. Standards around ethics and oversight? Those remain firm under his watch. 

Now here’s something clear – Goyal made it known his financial path still closely follows Eternal’s direction, matching what shareholders want. During this shift, every unvested share option he holds goes back into the company’s general pool for employees. He explained it like this: giving rising team members real chances to build value matters, especially without burdening current owners more. That choice wasn’t casual – it came from thinking about long-term fairness. 

“This ensures that Eternal continues to attract, retain, and motivate exceptional talent,” he said. 

Albinder Dhindsa Steps Into Leadership Role 

A fresh chapter begins with Albinder Singh Dhindsa stepping into the role of Group CEO – chosen for his steady hand. Leading Blinkit’s rise to dominance in quick delivery was just the start. Now, eyes turn to how he shapes performance across the entire organization. His track record suggests precision matters more than speed. The board did not pick change for change’s sake. Execution at scale becomes the quiet priority under his watch. 

He led Blinkit to grow into a key part of Eternal’s expansion, so it made sense for him to guide the company forward as it takes on bigger goals and new directions. 

A Journey That Changed Indian Startups 

Looking back at nearly two decades of building businesses, Goyal smiled at the memory of Zomato starting as just a tool to scan restaurant menus – an idea that once felt too bold to work. Now, the company is worth many billions, supporting countless jobs while feeding families across cities every single day. 

It worked because we showed it could. That belief stays firm, even as new leaders step in at Eternal. 

Clear words came again about what he truly wants. Not just any goal, but building something lasting – Eternal becoming India’s top company. Aiming beyond profit, reaching one billion people who rely on it every day. Change shaped through real results, not promises. Lives touched by opportunity, work created where little existed before. 

“This is a change in title, not in commitment towards outcomes,” he concluded. “Eternal remains my life’s work.” 

Financial Results Show Company Is Stable 

A shift in leadership arrives alongside solid earnings growth. Not far past, Eternal posted its latest quarterly numbers – net profit rising by 72.88% against the prior year. That brings the figure up to ₹102 crore for the three months ending December 31, 2026, where it had been ₹59 crore earlier. With such gains, daily operations appear steady even while top roles change hands. Confidence holds, despite who sits where now. 

Now stepping into fresh territory, Eternal’s change feels quiet, purposeful – not chaos but growth shaped by intent. The founder rediscovers ambition, thoughts stretching wide, while the organization moves ahead, steady under structure and clear direction.