In a major leadership shift transforming India’s tech and food tech landscape , Deepinder Goyal, co-founder and long time chief executive of Eternal Ltd.; the parent company of Zomato and Blinkit announced his resignation as Group CEO and Managing Director, effective February 1, 2026. The board has appointed him as the Vice Chairman and Director, subject to shareholder approval, ensuring Goyal remains tied to the company even after his resignation.
Goyal built Zomato as a restaurant discovery platform in 2008. He transformed it into one of India’s largest listed technology companies, communicated the decision in a letter to shareholders. He cited a growing desire to pursue “significantly higher-risk exploration and experimentation”; that does not align with the strategic framework or regulatory expectations of running a public company in India.
Deepinder Goyal’s Statement
“While I believe I personally have the bandwidth to continue what I am doing at Eternal, and also explore new ideas outside of it, the expectations, legal and otherwise, of a public company CEO in India demand singular focus,” Goyal said.
This development marks a pivotal moment for eternal company’s future. Albinder Singh Dhindsa, CEO of Blinkit and a seasoned leader known for transforming quick commerce operations, will take over as Group CEO. Dhindsa takes over at a time when Eternal is fiercely competing with Swiggy, Amazon and others to expand its share of the instant delivery market.
While the move was widely anticipated in corporate circles, various market commentators have questioned the relatively short notice period and abrupt nature of the announcement, sparking debates on governance norms and succession planning in founder-led firms.
Industry Reactions
Financial markets reacted positively to the news, with Eternal’s share price edging higher amid confidence in the firm’s operational continuity and growth prospects. Internally, Goyal’s shift into a governance role is expected to maintain strategic stability while allowing Dhindsa full authority over day-to-day execution.
According to industry analysts, this leadership reset is an attempt to strike a balance between founder vision and institutional discipline, allowing Eternal to expand its core business while allowing its visionary leader to pursue new opportunities.
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