Table of Contents
- A Major Leadership Shift at India’s Food-Tech Giant
- Who is Albinder Dhindsa? The Man Behind the Maneuver
- From Transportation Analyst to Quick-Commerce Kingpin
- The Eternal Structure and What This Change Means
- Why Deepinder Goyal is Stepping Back
- Conclusion: A New Chapter for Eternal
- Sources
A Major Leadership Shift at India’s Food-Tech Giant
In a move that has sent ripples through India’s tech and business community, Deepinder Goyal, the founder and public face of Zomato, is stepping down as CEO of its parent company, Eternal. Effective February 1, 2026, he will be succeeded by Albinder Dhindsa, the current CEO of Blinkit .
This isn’t just a simple executive shuffle; it marks a significant transition in the leadership of one of India’s most valuable consumer internet companies. Goyal, who built Zomato from a simple restaurant review blog into a household name, will remain on the board as Vice Chairman, but the day-to-day reins are being handed over to a leader with a very different, yet complementary, skill set .
Who is Albinder Dhindsa? The Man Behind the Maneuver
For many outside the inner circles of India’s startup ecosystem, the name Albinder Dhindsa might not have the same instant recognition as Deepinder Goyal. But within the world of quick-commerce, Dhindsa is a force to be reckoned with. He is the co-founder and CEO of Blinkit (formerly Grofers), the 10-minute grocery delivery service that Zomato acquired in a landmark $570 million deal in 2022 .
Dhindsa’s appointment signals a strategic pivot for Eternal, placing a leader known for operational excellence and hyper-local logistics at the helm of the entire portfolio, which includes Zomato, Blinkit, Hyperpure, and Feeding India .
From Transportation Analyst to Quick-Commerce Kingpin
The journey of Albinder Dhindsa is a classic Indian startup success story. Hailing from Patiala, Punjab, he is an alumnus of the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, where he earned a Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering . He later went on to secure an MBA from Columbia Business School in New York .
His professional career began far from the world of apps and instant deliveries. He started as a transportation analyst at URS Corporation in the United States, a role he held for nearly two years before moving to Cambridge Systematics . This background in complex logistics and systems analysis would later prove invaluable in building Blinkit’s intricate network of dark stores and delivery fleets.
In 2013, he co-founded Grofers, which would eventually become Blinkit after its acquisition by Zomato. Under his leadership, the company became a pioneer in India’s quick-commerce space, mastering the art of delivering groceries in under 15 minutes—a feat that requires immense operational precision .
Key Milestones in Albinder Dhindsa’s Career
- Education: B.Tech from IIT Delhi, MBA from Columbia Business School [[17], [18]].
- Early Career: Worked as a transportation analyst in the US, honing his logistics expertise .
- Founding Grofers: Co-founded the company in 2013, which was later rebranded to Blinkit post-acquisition .
- Integration Success: Successfully led Blinkit’s integration into the Zomato/Eternal ecosystem, turning it into a key growth engine .
The Eternal Structure and What This Change Means
To understand the significance of this leadership change, it’s crucial to grasp the structure of Eternal itself. In 2022, Zomato restructured to form a new parent company named Eternal Limited, which now houses its four main businesses: Zomato (food delivery), Blinkit (quick-commerce), Hyperpure (B2B food supply), and Feeding India (social impact) [[20], [27]].
Goyal’s initial vision for Eternal was to create a multi-CEO structure, allowing each business to operate with autonomy while benefiting from shared resources . By appointing Dhindsa—the leader of Eternal’s fastest-growing and most operationally complex unit—as the overall CEO, the board is signaling a clear priority: scaling efficiency and profitability across the entire portfolio. It’s a move from a founder-led visionary approach to a more execution-focused, operator-led strategy.
Why Deepinder Goyal is Stepping Back
Deepinder Goyal’s decision to step down appears to be driven by a desire to explore new ideas and focus on the bigger picture. In his own words, he is “drawn to a set of new ideas” and believes that Albinder Dhindsa “has the DNA to take Eternal to the next level” .
This transition also comes after a period of intense scrutiny for Zomato, including worker strikes and pressure to achieve sustainable profitability . By moving into the role of Vice Chairman, Goyal can focus on long-term strategy, innovation, and brand building, while leaving the complex task of managing the company’s diverse and demanding operations to a proven executor like Dhindsa.
Conclusion: A New Chapter for Eternal
The appointment of Albinder Dhindsa as CEO of Eternal marks the dawn of a new era for the company. It’s a testament to the success of the Blinkit acquisition and a clear bet on operational discipline as the key to future growth. While Deepinder Goyal built the dream, Albinder Dhindsa is now tasked with building the machine to make it a sustainable reality. For investors and consumers alike, this leadership change is a pivotal moment that will shape the future of one of India’s most important tech conglomerates. To learn more about the evolution of India’s food-tech sector, check out our feature on [INTERNAL_LINK:india-food-tech-evolution].
Sources
- Leadership Change Announcement: Times of India [[2], [4], [6]]
- Albinder Dhindsa’s Background: YourStory [[10], [11], [14], [17]]
- Eternal Company Structure: Mint [[20], [26], [27]]