Billionaire Deepinder Goyal to Sacrifice ₹1,000 Crore ESOPs After CEO Exit at Eternal

As per Economic Times report, Deepinder Goyal, founder of Eternal, has stepped down as Group CEO and returned ₹1,000 crore worth of unvested employee stock options (ESOPs) to the company.  

This decision expands Eternal’s ESOP pool by 3.3 crore shares, marking a significant shift in leadership and corporate structure. 

Goyal Returns ₹1,000 Crore in Unvested ESOPs 

Deepinder Goyal has forfeited over ₹1,000 crore in unvested ESOPs after resigning from his CEO position at Eternal. A total of 3.3 crore shares have been returned to the company’s ESOP reserve, a move that avoids immediate shareholder dilution and supports strategic talent retention efforts. 

As of the end of the December quarter, Goyal held a 3.83% stake in Eternal. He will now take on the Vice Chairman role effective upon shareholders’ approval, maintaining strategic oversight while handing operational leadership to Albinder Dhindsa, the head of Blinkit. 

Leadership Responsibilities Transition to Albinder Dhindsa 

Effective immediately, Albinder Dhindsa, currently leading Blinkit, will assume the Group CEO role. Under his leadership, Blinkit progressed from acquisition to operating breakeven. Goyal noted that Dhindsa shaped the company’s core structure across teams, culture, and operations. 

Though he transitions from CEO, Goyal remains involved in areas such as strategy, ethics, governance, and leadership development. He clarified that his financial interests are still linked with Eternal’s performance. 

Read More: ETERNAL (Formerly Zomato) Q3FY26 Earnings Results Out: Net Profit Rises 73% YoY! 

ESOP Pool Expansion and Shareholder Impact 

With 3.3 crore shares added from Goyal’s forfeiture, Eternal's ESOP pool now exceeds 23 crore shares. This increase offers capacity for equity grants without diluting existing shareholders in the near term. According to company executives, ESOP allocations will continue to be based on performance rather than pool size. 

Eighteen-Year Legacy and Focus Ahead 

Goyal co-founded Eternal 18 years ago, transforming it from a scanning service into a public food delivery major with a market capitalisation of ₹2.7 lakh crore. The company now serves millions of Indian families and supports employment on a large scale. His new role allows him to explore high-risk ventures outside Eternal’s current public operating framework. 

Eternal Share Price Performance  

As of January 22, 2026, at 2:42 PM, Eternal share price on NSE was trading at ₹277.30 down by 2.19% from the previous closing price. 

Conclusion 

Deepinder Goyal’s decision to give up unvested ESOPs worth ₹1,000 crore marks a significant leadership shift at Eternal, while strengthening the company’s ESOP structure. He continues his association with the firm in a strategic role. 

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