If you use food delivery apps in India (and who doesn’t?), you’ve probably heard of Zomato. It’s one of the biggest players in the market, connecting millions of people with restaurants, delivery riders, and even quick-commerce groceries.
Recently, something big happened in the company’s leadership. Deepinder Goyal, the face and founder of Zomato’s corporate group Eternal, announced he’s stepping down as Group CEO. That’s the person in charge of running the whole company every day. (www.ndtv.com)
But what does that mean for you — and for people who care about this company? Let’s break it down like you’re talking to a friend.
Who Is Deepinder Goyal and What Just Happened?
Deepinder Goyal started Zomato way back in 2008. Over nearly two decades, he grew it from a small startup to a household name for food delivery across India and many other countries. In 2025, Zomato changed its corporate name to Eternal Ltd. as it started running more than one big business under the same umbrella. (www.ndtv.com)
On January 21, 2026, Goyal announced he will stop being the Group CEO of Eternal — meaning he won’t be running the company’s day-to-day operations anymore. But he isn’t leaving the company entirely. He’ll stay on the board of directors as Vice Chairman, helping guide long-term strategy and culture. (www.ndtv.com)
Who’s Taking Over the Levers of Power?
Stepping in as the new CEO of Eternal is Albinder Singh Dhindsa, who many food tech users will know as the leader of Blinkit — the quick-commerce service that delivers groceries and essentials in minutes. Dhindsa has been running Blinkit and is known for scaling the business quickly. (www.ndtv.com)
So, in simple terms:
Goyal → leaving the CEO’s chair
Dhindsa → taking over as CEO
Goyal → will still be involved in big-picture decisions as Vice Chairman
This change takes effect on February 1, 2026. (www.ndtv.com)
Why Did Goyal Step Down? (And It’s Not What You Might Think)
This isn’t a sudden crisis or a dramatic boardroom fight.
In his letter to shareholders, Goyal explained that he has been drawn towards new ideas and projects that involve big risks and exploration — things that don’t fit well inside a large, publicly listed company like Eternal. He feels that being CEO demands “singular focus” because a public company has strict expectations and legal duties. (www.ndtv.com)
In everyday language, he’s basically saying:
“I want room to explore new things that might be too risky or unusual for a big company. So I’m handing over the daily leadership to someone else who can focus 100% on running Eternal.” (www.ndtv.com)
He made it clear that this is a choice about where his energy goes — not about stepping away from Eternal entirely. (www.ndtv.com)
So What’s Really Going On Behind the Scenes?
There are a few things happening at once:
1. Focusing on What Works Right Now
Eternal’s strongest growth engine in recent years has been quick commerce — especially Blinkit. That business requires tight, fast execution and constant optimization. Dhindsa has been leading Blinkit’s growth, so handing over the main CEO role to him means the company wants someone who lives and breathes that part of the business. (www.ndtv.com)
2. Splitting Leadership from Innovation
Goyal has interests outside Eternal — in areas like aviation tech and health-tech devices — that are very different from running a food delivery company. By stepping back from daily operations, he now has more freedom to pursue these without the pressure of quarter-to-quarter performance that public companies face. (Business Today)
3. A Modern Founders’ Transition
It’s common in tech for founders to hand over the CEO role to someone else once the company reaches a certain stage. Founders often stay involved in vision and strategy, while a professional CEO handles execution. That’s the structure Eternal seems to be moving toward. (Forbes India)
What This Could Mean for You
For the Everyday User
For people who order food or groceries, you likely won’t notice any big changes in the short term. The apps will continue to operate, and services will keep running as usual.
For Investors or Market Watchers
Leadership changes often catch investors’ attention. Markets can react if big founders step down — sometimes selling shares out of concern. But in this case, the company has signaled continuity: Goyal isn’t leaving completely, and the business itself is performing well. (The Economic Times)
For Employees
Often, a fresh CEO brings new priorities and energy. But since Dhindsa already runs part of the company, this transition might feel smoother than an outsider takeover.
For the Broader Startup Community
This could be inspiring for other founders — showing that you can build a company, step back from daily leadership, and still be part of its future while exploring new ventures.
Should People Be Worried? Or Celebrate?
Here’s the balanced view:
Don’t panic:
The company’s performance has been solid. (India Today)
Goyal is still involved, just in a different role. (www.ndtv.com)
The new CEO knows the business well. (www.ndtv.com)
Also don’t assume everything will stay exactly the same:
Leadership style may shift
Priorities might change over time
Investors and markets might fluctuate based on confidence in execution
Overall, this feels like a thoughtful leadership evolution, not a crisis.
Conclusion — A Change Worth Noticing (But Not Worrying About)
Deepinder Goyal stepping down as Eternal’s CEO is a big headline — partly because he built the company from scratch. But when you look closer, it’s less of a drama and more of a natural transition.
He’s remaining involved as Vice Chairman, while a trusted leader from inside the company takes over daily operations. This setup is meant to keep the company stable and give Goyal room to explore ambitious new ideas.
For users, employees, and everyday Indians curious about the tech world, this is a reminder that businesses evolve — and leadership can change without shaking the whole system.