Deepinder Goyal has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer of Eternal, the technology group that includes major digital consumer brands, in a significant leadership transition that marks the end of nearly two decades at the helm. The move comes as one of the company’s most senior leaders takes charge of daily operations and strategic execution.
Goyal’s resignation from the executive role will be effective February 1, 2026, when Albinder Dhindsa, the current Chief Executive Officer of quick commerce platform Blinkit, assumes the role of Group CEO of Eternal. Goyal will remain closely associated with the company in a non-executive capacity as Vice Chairman of the Board, pending approval from shareholders.
The leadership change was formally announced by Eternal management in a stock exchange filing, underscoring a planned and orderly handover of responsibilities. In his letter to shareholders, Goyal explained that his decision was driven in part by a desire to pursue new ideas and opportunities that involve higher risk and exploration, which he believes are better suited to independent initiatives outside the scope of a listed technology group.
Goyal has served as the Group Chief Executive Officer since founding the business that later evolved into Eternal. Under his leadership, the company expanded beyond its origins into food delivery, quick commerce, and other digital consumer services. He retains a long-term commitment to the organisation’s goals, emphasising that his change in role is not a departure from the business he built.
Dhindsa is widely recognised for his role in founding Blinkit and leading its transformation into one of India’s fastest and most visible quick commerce platforms. The company operates a network of dark stores across more than 150 cities, enabling customers to order groceries and essentials with delivery targets of minutes rather than hours. Dhindsa’s appointment as Group CEO signals a continuity of leadership that aligns with Eternal’s growth orientation.
Market observers view his elevation as an indication of the growing influence of quick commerce within the broader group portfolio. Blinkit has become a key business driver for Eternal, and its performance has contributed substantially to the group’s overall financial momentum.
Goyal noted in his communication to shareholders that Dhindsa has proven execution capabilities and deep experience in scaling complex operations. He described Dhindsa as a “battle-tested founder” whose leadership has been integral in building Blinkit’s team, culture, and operational systems. Many of those systems have underpinned improvements in customer experience and delivery efficiency.
As part of the transition, Goyal has also returned all his unvested employee stock options to the company’s ESOP pool. This move aims to increase long-term wealth-creation opportunities for current and future leaders while maintaining shareholder value. It is also viewed by some analysts as a gesture that reinforces corporate governance and talent retention.
Despite stepping back from the CEO role, Goyal emphasised his continued focus on the company’s strategic direction, culture, leadership development and governance matters. He said that his new role will allow him to pursue exploratory ideas while supporting the organisation’s long-term vision.
Dhindsa’s new role will involve oversight of Eternal’s day-to-day operations, execution of business priorities and coordination of strategic initiatives across the group. His elevation has been met with cautious optimism in the market, with analysts noting that stable leadership continuity will be important during this period of strategic evolution.
Eternal’s recent financial results have shown marked improvement. The company reported a significant rise in profit growth in its latest quarterly performance, driven in part by rising demand in quick commerce and food delivery sectors. These results have reinforced investor confidence and highlighted the commercial potential of its diversified portfolio.
Despite these positive signs, some market analysts have noted that Goyal’s departure from day-to-day executive duties introduces a degree of uncertainty around future execution. The long-term impact of the leadership transition will depend on how effectively the new CEO can sustain growth momentum across all major business units, including food delivery, quick commerce, and other emerging verticals.
Commentators have also pointed to past leadership dynamics as illustrative of the challenges involved in integrating acquired businesses into larger corporate structures. In the period following Zomato’s acquisition of Blinkit, discussions erupted around management fit and organisational alignment. At one point, Goyal publicly acknowledged that he considered asking Dhindsa to step down as Blinkit’s CEO when the business was adjusting to integration and operational changes.
Those earlier tensions ultimately gave way to collaboration, with Dhindsa taking a central role in steering Blinkit through a rapid expansion phase. Today, Blinkit stands as a major revenue and growth contributor for Eternal, reflecting how leadership resilience and adaptability can shape business outcomes.
Dhindsa’s background includes a degree from one of India’s premier engineering institutions and experience in consulting and technology leadership prior to founding Blinkit. His deep understanding of quick commerce economics and customer behaviour has been credited with helping the platform scale effectively in a highly competitive segment.
In his first official statement as incoming Group CEO, Dhindsa expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him by the board and his predecessor. He said his focus will be on driving operational excellence, strengthening customer value propositions and ensuring the group remains agile as it navigates evolving market dynamics.
As Eternal embarks on this next phase under new leadership, industry stakeholders will be watching closely how the balance between innovative exploration and disciplined execution is maintained. The transition reflects a broader evolution in Indian technology and consumer platforms, where leadership continuity and strategic clarity are increasingly critical for long-term competitive positioning.