Albinder Dhindsa Takes Charge as CEO of Eternal: The Leadership Transition Explained

Introduction: A Sudden Leadership Shift at Eternal

In an unexpected move that has drawn widespread attention across India’s startup and corporate ecosystem, Deepinder Goyal, co-founder and long-serving CEO of Eternal Ltd. (formerly Zomato), announced his decision to step down from the chief executive role. Effective 1 February 2026, Goyal will hand over operational control to Albinder Dhindsa, the founder of Blinkit, while transitioning to the position of Vice Chairman.

The leadership change marks a significant moment for Eternal, which operates one of India’s largest food delivery and quick-commerce platforms.

Who Is Albinder Dhindsa?

Educational Background

Albinder Dhindsa is an alumnus of:

  • Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi, where he completed a degree in Civil Engineering (2000–2004)

  • Columbia Business School, where he earned his MBA (2010–2012)

His academic journey reflects a strong blend of engineering, analytical, and managerial expertise.

Early Professional Career

Before entering the startup ecosystem, Dhindsa worked in infrastructure and financial consulting:

  • Transportation Analyst at URS Corporation

  • Senior Associate at Cambridge Systematics

  • Associate at UBS Investment Bank during his MBA

These roles provided him exposure to large-scale systems planning, analytics, and global financial markets.

Albinder Dhindsa and Zomato: The First Association

Dhindsa joined Zomato in 2011 as Head of International Expansion, where he played a crucial role in executing the company’s global growth strategy. Over two years, he was responsible for expanding Zomato’s footprint across multiple international markets before leaving to pursue entrepreneurship.

Founding Grofers, Later Blinkit

Birth of a Quick-Commerce Pioneer

After exiting Zomato, Dhindsa co-founded Grofers, which was later rebranded as Blinkit. The company pioneered the quick-commerce model in India, promising ultra-fast delivery of groceries and essentials.

Despite financial struggles in its early years, Blinkit survived a turbulent funding environment and eventually caught the attention of its former parent.

Zomato’s Acquisition of Blinkit

In 2022, Zomato acquired Blinkit in an all-stock deal at a time when Blinkit was facing serious financial stress. Many questioned the strategic wisdom of the acquisition.

However, three years later, Blinkit has emerged as Eternal’s most valuable and fastest-growing business vertical, validating the long-term vision behind the deal and Dhindsa’s operational leadership.

Why Did Deepinder Goyal Step Down?

Official Explanation

In his announcement, Deepinder Goyal stated that his decision was driven by a desire to pursue higher-risk, experimental ideas that are not aligned with the strategic scope of a public company.

He emphasised that:

  • Eternal must remain focused on disciplined, core growth

  • His new ideas are better pursued outside the constraints of a listed entity

  • Leadership continuity requires a clear transfer of operational authority

New Role at Eternal

Goyal will continue with the company as Vice Chairman, ensuring strategic oversight while stepping away from daily operations. According to his statement, “the centre of gravity for operating decisions moves to Albi.”

Albinder Dhindsa’s New Role as Group CEO

As Group CEO, Albinder Dhindsa will now:

  • Oversee day-to-day execution

  • Set operational priorities

  • Drive business and growth decisions across Eternal’s food delivery and quick-commerce platforms

This consolidation of leadership signals Eternal’s increasing emphasis on quick commerce as a core business driver.

Legal and Corporate Governance Framework

Relevant Statutory Provisions

The leadership transition is governed by standard corporate law principles under:

  • Companies Act, 2013

    • Section 203: Appointment of Key Managerial Personnel

    • Section 166: Duties of directors, including acting in the best interest of the company

  • SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015

    • Regulation 30: Mandatory disclosure of material events, including CEO changes

As a listed entity, Eternal is required to ensure transparency, board approval, and timely disclosure to stock exchanges.

No Constitutional or Judicial Issues Involved

This transition does not invoke constitutional provisions or judicial precedents, as it is a corporate governance decision, not a matter of public law. However, it reflects best practices recognised by Indian courts in shareholder protection and board accountability.

Strategic Implications for Eternal

The appointment of Dhindsa signals:

  • A stronger push towards quick commerce dominance

  • Confidence in leadership that has already delivered results post-acquisition

  • A maturing corporate structure where founders transition from operators to strategists

Conclusion: A New Chapter for Eternal

Albinder Dhindsa’s elevation from Blinkit founder to CEO of Eternal Ltd. represents one of the most consequential leadership changes in India’s startup ecosystem. With Blinkit now central to Eternal’s valuation and growth story, the decision reflects both strategic foresight and operational pragmatism.

As Deepinder Goyal steps back to explore new entrepreneurial frontiers, Eternal enters a new phase — one shaped by execution, scale, and disciplined expansion under Dhindsa’s stewardship.

Location: Pune, Maharashtra, India

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