Eternal Bets on Quick Commerce as Blinkit CEO Albinder Dhindsa Takes the Helm

Eternal, the parent company of Zomato and Blinkit, announced a major leadership transition on Wednesday. Founder Deepinder Goyal will step down as Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director effective February 1, 2026. Blinkit CEO Albinder Dhindsa will take over as the new Group CEO.

Goyal, who founded Zomato in 2008 and led the company through its public listing in 2021, will continue to remain closely associated with Eternal.

Subject to shareholder approval, he will stay on the board as Vice Chairman.

Why Goyal Is Stepping Aside

In a letter addressed to shareholders, Goyal said the decision was driven by his desire to pursue new, high-risk ventures that fall outside the scope of a listed company.

“While I believe I have the bandwidth to continue my role at Eternal, the expectations—legal and otherwise—of a public company CEO in India demand singular focus,” he wrote.

Over the past year, Goyal has quietly begun working on multiple new initiatives. These include aviation startup LAT Aerospace, longevity-focused venture Continue Research, and exploratory plans for a wearable technology company called Temple, which aims to track cerebral blood flow.

Albinder Dhindsa Takes Charge

With Goyal stepping back from day-to-day operations, operational control of Eternal will shift to Albinder Dhindsa. As Group CEO, Albinder Dhindsa will oversee execution, operating priorities, and business decisions across the group.

Goyal credited Dhindsa for turning Blinkit around after its acquisition in 2022.

“He built the team, the culture, the supply chain, and the operating rhythm. His ability to execute far exceeds mine,” Goyal said, adding that Dhindsa has the “DNA of a battle-hardened founder.

”Dhindsa founded Blinkit in 2014 and previously led Zomato’s international operations for over two years.

A Clear Bet on Quick Commerce

The leadership change underlines Eternal’s growing focus on quick commerce—an increasingly competitive space estimated at $11.5 billion in India. Blinkit has emerged as Eternal’s largest revenue contributor over recent quarters, driven by rising demand for instant deliveries.

Brand strategy expert Harish Bijoor summed it up:
“Bringing in the CEO from Blinkit is testimony that quick commerce is the future. It’s the rainmaker and the key differentiator.

”Eternal faces stiff competition in the segment from players such as Swiggy and Amazon.

Strong Financial Performance

The announcement comes on the back of solid quarterly results:

• Eternal reported a 73% year-on-year jump in profit to ₹1.02 billion for the quarter ended December 31, 2025.
• Blinkit turned Adjusted EBITDA positive for the first time, posting ₹40 million, compared to a loss of ₹1.56 billion in the previous quarter
• Blinkit’s Net Order Value (NOV) grew 121% YoY, while B2C GOV rose 55% YoY
• Zomato’s Adjusted EBITDA margin touched an all-time high of 5.4% (₹531 crore)
• Hyperpure achieved a positive Adjusted EBITDA margin for the first time
• District NOV grew 20% YoY

Shares of Eternal have more than doubled since listing, adding nearly $15 billion in market value. On Wednesday, the stock closed 4.9% higher at ₹282.80, after gaining over 5% earlier in the session.

What’s Next

Deepinder Goyal’s Important Update On Leadership Changes At Eternal.

While Dhindsa focuses on scaling Eternal’s fast-growing businesses, Goyal said he will remain involved in long-term strategy, culture, leadership development, and governance.

“This is where I have increasingly focused anyway,” he noted.

The transition marks a new chapter for Eternal—one that places quick commerce firmly at the center of its growth story, while allowing its founder to explore bold ideas beyond the constraints of a listed company.