|
Dear Members,
The Board of Directors of the Company ("Board") hereby submits the
board report for the financial year ended on March 31, 2026 ("Board Report")
on the business, operations and performance of Eternal Limited (formerly known as Zomato
Limited) ("the Company"/ "Eternal").
1. Financial highlights
The highlights on the Company's financial statements on a standalone and consolidated
basis are summarised below:
Particulars |
Standalone |
Consolidated |
|
For the financial year ended on March 31 |
|
2026 |
2025 |
2026 |
2025 |
| Total income |
12,702 |
9,877 |
55,760 |
21,320 |
| Less: Total expenses |
9,736 |
7,676 |
55,145 |
20,623 |
| Less: Exceptional items |
- |
11 |
- |
- |
Profit/ (loss) before tax |
2,966 |
2,190 |
615 |
697 |
| Less: Tax expenses |
311 |
230 |
249 |
170 |
Profit / (loss) for the year |
2,655 |
1,960 |
366 |
527 |
Other comprehensive income/(loss): |
|
|
|
|
| 1) Items that will not be reclassified toprofit(loss) |
|
|
|
|
| a. Remeasurements of the defined benefit plans |
0 |
(6) |
(3) |
(10) |
| b. Equity instruments through other comprehensive income |
(515) |
77 |
(515) |
77 |
| c. Income tax relating to above items |
34 |
(30) |
34 |
(30) |
| 2) Items that will bereclassifiedtoprofit (loss) or |
|
|
|
|
| a. Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations |
5 |
1 |
19 |
2 |
| b. Debt instruments through other comprehensive income |
(90) |
112 |
(90) |
112 |
| c. Income tax relating to above items |
23 |
(23) |
23 |
(23) |
Total comprehensive income /(loss) for the year |
2,112 |
2,091 |
(166) |
655 |
2. State of the Company's affairs
Company overview
The Company is one of the first home-grown new-age tech companies listed in India and
operates through four key business segments: Food delivery: A technology platform
that provides customers with a seamless, on-demand solution to search and discover
restaurants, order food, and have it delivered reliably and quickly.
Quick commerce: Platform offering doorstep delivery of products across categories
(fresh, staples, electronics, beauty, general merchandise, festive needs ++).
Going-out: Going-out segment addresses the
going-out' needs of our customers and enables discovery and transactions for
large going-out experiences including dining-out, movies, sports & other live events,
shopping etc.
B2B supplies: B2B business supplying quality food ingredients and other products to
restaurants.
Financial results
Consolidated revenue from operations grew 169% YoY to INR 54,364 crore in FY26 from INR
20,243 crore in FY25 primarily driven by shift to inventory model in quick commerce where
revenue now also includes the full monetary value of goods sold (and not just the
marketplace commission): Food delivery revenue grew 26% YoY to INR 10,159 crore in
FY26, primarily driven by higher order volumes and increase in revenue per order. Quick
commerce revenue grew 626% YoY to INR
37,779 crore in FY26 primarily driven by shift to inventory model where revenue now
also includes the full monetary value of goods sold (and not just the marketplace
commission).
Going-out revenue grew 32% YoY to INR 973 crore in FY26 driven by growth across all
categories including dining-out, movies and events. FY26 was also the acquisition of
entertainment ticketing business in FY25.
B2B supplies revenue declined 13% YoY to INR
5,366 crore in FY26, driven by scale down of the non-restaurant business following the
shift to inventory model in quick commerce. Core restaurant supplies business continued to
grow
YoY.
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA improved to INR 1,189 crore in FY26 from INR 1,079 crore
in FY25. Improvement in Adjusted EBITDA profitability was primarily driven by (a)
improvement in food delivery Adjusted EBITDA margin and (b) reduction in losses in our
quick commerce business and B2B supplies business.
Consolidated EBITDA for the full fiscal year was positive INR 1,208 crore. Consolidated
PAT declined to INR 366 crore in FY26 compared to INR 527 crore in FY25 largely due to
increase in depreciation & amortization expense in the quick commerce business.
Note: To supplement our financial information presented in accordance with IND AS,
we consider certain financial measures that are not prepared in accordance with IND AS,
including Adjusted
Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA. We use these financial measures conjunction with IND AS
measures as part of overall assessment of our performance to evaluate the effectiveness of
our business strategies and to communicate with our board of directors concerning our
business and financial performance. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures provide
useful information to investors about our business and financial performance, enhance
their overall understanding of our past performance and future prospects, and allow for
greater transparency with respect to metrics used by our management in their financial and
operational decision making. We are presenting these non-GAAP financial measures to assist
our investors and because we believe that these non-GAAP financial measures provide an
additional tool for investors to use in comparing results of operations of our business
over multiple periods. Information given also includes information related to material
subsidiaries. Non-GAAP measures used by us are defined below: a) Adjusted EBITDA =
Consolidated EBITDA (+) share-based payment expense (-) rental paid for the period
pertaining to
IND AS 116 leases' b) EBITDA = Profit/loss as
(ii) other income (iii) depreciation and amortization expense
(iv) finance cost and (v) exceptional items
3. Subsidiary(ies)
As at the closure of the financial year ended March 31, 2026, the Company has 16
(sixteen) direct full financial subsidiaries and 4 (four) step down subsidiaries, and did
not have any associate company or joint venture. During the financial year under review, 2
(two) wholly owned subsidiaries were incorporated and 3 (three) step down subsidiaries
were dissolved/ liquidated as detailed below: Zomato Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., dissolved
with effect from August 8, 2025.
Blinkit Foods Limited, incorporated on August 18, 2025. Zomato Internet Hizmetleri
Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, liquidated with effect from December 9, 2025.
Eternal General Service Foundation, incorporated on December 18, 2025.
Zomato Netherlands B.V., dissolved with effect from January 27, 2026.
During the financial year under review, the Department of Registrar of Companies, Sri
Lanka published the notification ("Publication") for strike off of Zomato
Media (Private) Limited ("ZMPL"), wholly owned subsidiary of the
Company situated in Sri Lanka, to be effective upon the expiry of three months from the
date of Publication. Further, the Company received confirmation that ZMPL was struck off
from the Register of Companies, Sri Lanka with effect from April 2, 2026.
In accordance with the Section 129 of the Companies Act, 2013 read with rules framed
thereunder ("Act"), a statement containing the salient features of the
financial statements of the subsidiaries of the Company in form AOC-1 is annexed as Annexure
- I. In accordance with Section 136 of the Act and the Securities and Exchange Board
of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 ("SEBI
Listing Regulations"), the audited financial statements, including the
consolidated financial statements and financial results of the subsidiaries are available
at Link.
4. Change in nature of business
During the financial year under review, there has been no change in the nature of
business of the Company.
5. Dividend
During the financial year under review, the Board has not recommended any dividend. The
dividend distribution policy of the Company is available at
Link.
6. Amount proposed to be transferred to reserves
During the financial year under review, the Company has not proposed to transfer any
amount to the reserves.
7. Capital structure
During the financial year under review, there is no change in the authorised, issued,
subscribed and paid up share capital of the Company.
Authorised share capital
The authorised share capital of the Company as on financial year ended on March 31,
2026 is INR 14,48,63,29,341/- (Indian rupees one thousand four hundred forty eight crore
sixty three lakh twenty nine thousand three hundred and forty one only) divided into
14,48,63,29,341 (One thousand four hundred forty eight crore sixty three lakh twenty nine
thousand three hundred and forty one) equity shares having face value of INR 1/- (Indian
rupee one) each
(" Equity Shares").
Issued, subscribed and paid up share capital
The issued, subscribed and paid up share capital of the Company as on financial year
ended on March 31, 2026 is INR 9,65,03,50,647/- (Indian rupees nine hundred sixty five
crore three lakh fifty thousand six hundred and forty seven only), divided into
9,65,03,50,647 (Nine hundred sixty five crore three lakh fifty thousand six hundred and
forty seven) Equity Shares.
Equity shares with differential rights and sweat equity shares
During the financial year under review, the Company has neither issued sweat equity
shares nor issued equity shares with differential rights as to dividend, voting or
otherwise.
8. Directors and Key Managerial Personnel ("KMP")
Appointment / re-appointment or resignation of director(s)
During the financial year under review, following appointment/re-appointment of
directors were approved by shareholders on March 13, 2026: Kaushik Dutta (DIN:
03328890) as Independent Director of the Company for a second term of 5 (five) consecutive
years commencing from March 1, 2026 to February 28, 2031.
Namita Gupta (DIN: 07337772) as Independent Director of the Company for a second
term of 5 (five) consecutive years commencing from March 1, 2026 to February 28, 2031.
Deepinder Goyal (DIN: 02613583) as Vice Chairman & Non-Executive Director of
the Company effective from March 13, 2026. Sutapa Banerjee (DIN: 02844650) as
Independent Director of the Company for a second term of 5 (five) consecutive years
commencing from April 12, 2026 to April 11, 2031.
Aparna Popat Ved (DIN: 08661466) as Independent Director of the Company for a
second term of 5 (five) consecutive years commencing from April 19, 2026 to April 18,
2031.
Further, Deepinder Goyal (DIN: 02613583) resigned as Director, Managing Director &
Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective from the close of business hours on
February 1, 2026. In accordance with the provisions of Section 152 of the Act and articles
of association of the Company, Sanjeev Bikhchandani (DIN: 00065640) Non-Executive
Nominee Director ("Nominee Director"), who has been longest in office
since his last election, is to retire by rotation at the ensuing Annual General Meeting
("AGM") and, being eligible, has offered himself for re-appointment. The
Board recommends his re-appointment as non-executive nominee director for shareholders'
approval.
Appointment or resignation of KMP
During the financial year under review, Deepinder Goyal (DIN: 02613583) resigned as
Director, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective from
the close of business hours on February 1, 2026.
Further, Albinder Singh Dhindsa was appointed as Chief Executive Officer and Key
Managerial Personnel of the Company effective from February 1, 2026. Additionally, he
continues to be whole time director in Blink Commerce Private Limited.
Declarations from independent director(s)
The Independent Directors have confirmed compliance with the Code for Independent
Directors prescribed under Schedule IV to the Act and independence under the Act and the
SEBI Listing Regulations, including inter-alia the criteria as detailed below: they
have registered themselves with the independent director's databank maintained by the
Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs;
they are not material supplier, service provider or customer or a lessor or lessee
of the Company; they have not been an employee, proprietor or partner, of the firm
of auditors or company secretaries in practice, of the Company or its subsidiaries in any
of the three immediately preceding financial years and the financial year ended March 31,
2026; they have not been an employee or proprietor or a partner of any legal or
consulting firm that had business transactions with the Company or its subsidiaries,
amounting to 10 (ten) per cent or more of the gross turnover of such firm, in any of
liable the three immediately preceding financial years and the financial year ended March
31, 2026; apart from receiving director's remuneration (including sitting fees),
there have not been any material pecuniary relationship or transaction with the Company or
its subsidiaries or their promoters or directors during the three immediately preceding
financial years and financial year ended March 31, 2026, exceeding the limits specified
under the Act and SEBI Listing Regulations; they have not been linked to a non
profit organisation that receives significant contribution from the Company or its
directors or its subsidiaries or that holds 2 (two) per cent or more of the total voting
power of the Company;
they are not aware of any circumstance or situation, which exists or may be
reasonably anticipated, that could impair or impact their ability to discharge duties with
an objective independent judgment and without any external influence; neither they
nor their relative(s) have held the position of a key managerial personnel in the
Company or its subsidiaries in any of the three immediately preceding financial years
and the financial year ended March 31, 2026.
Accordingly, based on the declarations received from all independent directors, the
Board has confirmed that, in their opinion, independent directors of the Company are the
persons of integrity, possess relevant expertise and experience and fulfil the conditions
specified in the Act and SEBI Listing Regulations and are independent of the management.
Company's policy on directors' appointment and remuneration including criteria for
determining qualifications, positive attributes, independence of a director and other
matters
The Nomination and Remuneration Policy
("NRC Policy") has been formulated in compliance with Section 178 of
the Act and Regulation 19 of the SEBI Listing Regulations. It serves as a comprehensive
framework governing the nomination, evaluation, and compensation of the Company's
directors and senior management personnel. The objective of this NRC Policy is to attract,
retain, and incentivize talent to drive the Company's sustainable growth and long-term
success.
There have been no changes in the NRC Policy during the financial year under review.
The NRC Policy is available at Link.
9. Number of meetings of Board
During the financial year under review, the Board met 8 (eight) times. The maximum
interval between any two meetings of the Board did not exceed 120 days. Details of the
Board meetings held, including the attendance of the directors therein have been disclosed
in the Corporate Governance Report forming part of this Annual Report.
10. Performance evaluation
The Company recognises that an effective board evaluation process is integral to strong
corporate governance and supports the Board in continuously enhancing its effectiveness.
Accordingly, the
Company has adopted a structured framework for the annual evaluation of the performance
of the Board, its committees, the chairman and individual directors, including independent
directors.
The Nomination and Remuneration Committee
("NRC"), in consultation with the Board, oversees the evaluation
framework and criteria. The evaluation, inter alia, considered the following aspects: Board
composition, diversity and the mix of skills and experience;
Clarity of roles, responsibilities and accountability; Quality, timeliness
and adequacy of information provided to the Board;
Effectiveness of Board deliberations, strategic oversight and decision-making;
Leadership of the chairman and the functioning of the Board;
Contribution and performance of individual directors; Effectiveness of the
Board committees in discharging their responsibilities.
In compliance with Section 149 of the Act, Regulation 17 of the SEBI Listing
Regulations and the Company's policy for evaluation of the performance of the board of
directors, the performance evaluation of each independent director was carried out
considering the aspects related to fulfillment of independence criteria and independence
from management.
During the financial year under review, the Company engaged Nasdaq Corporate Solutions
International Limited ("Nasdaq"), an independent governance advisory
firm, to facilitate the evaluation process. The evaluation was conducted through a
combination of structured questionnaires, wherein all directors were requested to complete
comprehensive evaluation questionnaires tailored to capture an objective overview of the
overall performance and one-on-one interviews with independent directors, providing an
additional layer of qualitative insights and feedback. The independent and comprehensive
evaluation, consolidated by Nasdaq, assessed the Board's overall vitality, offering deep
insights into its leadership mindset, strategic engagement, cultural ethos, interpersonal
dynamics, and governance practices.
Following a review by the NRC and subsequent deliberation by the Board, the findings
reaffirmed that the Board and its committees continue to function effectively and provide
appropriate strategic oversight. It also provided constructive insights to support the
Board's ongoing focus on strategic engagement and governance excellence. The Board has
considered these insights to further strengthen its governance framework in line with its
commitment to continuous improvement and long-term value creation.
11. Committees of the Board
As on the financial year ended March 31, 2026, the Board has 7 (seven) committees
comprising of
Board members as detailed below: Audit Committee;
Nomination and Remuneration Committee; Stakeholders' Relationship Committee;
Risk Management Committee; Corporate Social Responsibility Committee;
Investment Committee; and Fund Raising Committee.
A detailed note on the composition of the aforesaid committees and other mandatory
details are provided in the Corporate Governance Report forming part of this Annual
Report.
12. Corporate Social Responsibility ("CSR") policy
The CSR policy sets out the Company's approach towards social welfare and sustainable
development.
It provides the guiding principles, responsibilities, and framework for undertaking
meaningful initiatives that positively impact communities, particularly in areas
surrounding the Company's operations. A summary of the CSR policy, along with other
disclosures, is provided in Annexure II.
13. Vigil mechanism and whistle blower policy
The Company is committed to maintain the highest standards of integrity, transparency,
and ethical conduct.
In alignment with the Section 177 of the Act and Regulation 22 of the SEBI Listing
Regulations, our Vigil Mechanism and Whistle Blower Policy ("Policy")
provides a secure, confidential channel for employees, directors, and stakeholders to
report instances of misconduct, fraud, unethical practices, or violations of the Code of
Conduct. The Policy is available at Link. This framework ensures direct access to
the chairperson of the Audit Committee and includes strict safeguards against any form of
retaliation or victimization. All reported concerns undergo independent investigation,
with key findings presented periodically to the relevant committees. During the financial
year under review, the Company confirms that no individual was denied access to the
Audit Committee's chairperson. For the financial year under review, 9 (nine) reportable
matters were thoroughly investigated and successfully resolved under the provisions of the
Policy.
14. Risk management
The Board has established a Risk Management Committee ("RMC") to
supervise the Company's risk governance framework and verify the effectiveness of its
mitigation strategies.
Integrated directly into core decision-making processes, this framework enables the
systematic identification, assessment, monitoring, and mitigation of strategic and
operational risks. The
Risk Management Policy details the corporate risk governance structure including the
"Three Lines of Defence" model and defines clear lines of risk ownership, the
said policy is available at Link. Implementation of this framework is driven by the
Governance, Risk & Compliance team, which evaluates risks based on its likelihood and
impact.
This structured methodology enhances transparency, supports well-informed decisions,
and bolsters the Company's capacity to navigate emerging risks and opportunities.
Risks and Concerns
In line with the Enterprise Risk Management ("ERM") exercise conducted
for Eternal at a consolidated level, below are the strategic risks that have been
identified and may impact Eternal in the long run. These risks have been further mapped to
the relevant Environmental, Social, and Governance ("ESG") pillars from a
sustainability standpoint, with their changing trends over the past fiscal year tracked
closely by the RMC.
Competition Governance
Eternal faces an intensifying competitive landscape across both established and
emerging segments, which can directly hinder growth, compress operating margins, and
reduce overall platform revenue and profitability. Key risk factors include capital-fueled
expansions by quick commerce rivals and the entry of new players. Furthermore, aggressive
competitor tactics such as eliminating user handling fees and lowering delivery fee
thresholds exert strong pricing pressure, triggering risk of customer migration or
heightened monthly inactivity on our B2C marketplaces.
To protect market share and strengthen our operational moats, Eternal continues to
evolve its business strategy from rapid expansion to sustained efficiency. Blinkit has
strategically transitioned to an inventory-owned model to achieve absolute control over
pricing, product availability, and margins, supplemented by Hyperpure entering the B2C
market as a core seller for fresh and perishable products. Concurrently, Zomato has scaled
user retention and expanded affordability features by introducing consumer-centric options
like "Healthy Mode" and budget-conscious "Meals under 250," while the
District app continues to establish exclusive global partnerships with international
agencies to secure premium event inventories.
Driven by execution capabilities and strategic agility, Eternal is dedicated to
sustaining its ecosystem leadership through disciplined cost efficiencies and
differentiated consumer offerings.
Regulatory Compliances Governance
As a leading digital platform, Eternal operates under an evolving legislative and
supervisory framework, where any failure to track, interpret, or communicate regulatory
updates can lead to significant operational disruptions, heavy financial penalties, or
license cancellations. The compliance landscape has become increasingly demanding
following the notification of new centralized Labor Codes which introduced rigid system
obligations and social security fund contributions for our fleet. Additionally, heightened
platform governance requirements including explicit data principal consent under Digital
Personal Data Protection Rules, strict country-of-origin metrology declarations, Bureau of
Indian Standards hallmarking, and enforcement directives from authorities to eliminate
delivery speed claims from marketing narrativesrequire continuous,
resource-intensive platform modifications.
To maintain high standards of statutory adherence,
Eternal's public policy, product, and legal teams proactively engage with governing
authorities to ensure consistent framework alignments. On the technology front, our data
governance structures have been enhanced to incorporate robust consent management systems
and transparent country-of-origin discovery filters, while the entire property onboarding
flow for dark stores has been embedded with mandatory legal due diligence layers. Eternal
remains committed to fostering an uncompromised culture of compliance, embedding
transparent regulatory tracking directly into the core design of our business processes.
Stakeholder Management Governance
Eternal's highly distributed operational model relies on the seamless alignment of key
stakeholders, making the platform vulnerable to sudden operational breakthroughs or
revenue losses from service lapses. Labor volatility, underscored by nationwide or
regional gig worker strikes orchestrated by platform unions over social security
structures, presents an immediate threat to last-mile fulfillment continuity and order
volumes. Similarly, supply chain constraints across our B2B verticals driven by intensive
competitive hiring and high turnover among warehouse personnel seeking aggressive payout
structures can restrict our ability to reliably fulfill demand during peak business
windows. To mitigate friction and fortify stakeholder relationships, our city and central
teams have established responsive communication protocols and structured grievance
channels. During high-demand and festive windows, we actively calibrate our rate cards and
performance incentives to reward partners fairly, ensuring continuous fleet availability
and safe operations through local coordination. Hyperpure is actively aligning its payout
structures with market dynamics to match competitive frequencies and has collaborated with
third-party vendors to extend enhanced social security scheme onboarding and visibility to
warehouse personnel. Furthermore, our commitment to systemic equity is reinforced through
large-scale platforms, such as hosting the inclusive growth conference in New Delhi to
advance collective partner well-being.
Recognizing that our partners form the vital infrastructure of our business, Eternal is
dedicated to cultivating a fair, rewarding, and deeply sustainable ecosystem for all
participants.
Macro-Economics Social & Governance
Fluctuations in localized and global economic conditions, alongside broader
geopolitical volatility, can severely restrict consumer discretionary spending and
compress corporate operating margins. Escalations in international conflicts pose severe
logistics constraints, leading to dual-impact crises such as global energy transit
bottlenecks that simultaneously inflate platform delivery costs and disrupt the fuel and
LPG dependencies of our restaurant partners. Such structural shortages directly manifest
as revenue bottlenecks, causing impact in order volumes and restricting restaurant supply
capabilities across our core B2C and B2B segments. Eternal leverages its multi-vertical
business architecture to reduce dependency on any single market segment or price point,
providing a natural cushion against macro-level discretionary contractions. To insulate
our fleet from volatile crude oil metrics, Zomato and Blinkit have accelerated their
strategic transition to EV-based logistics, optimizing local routes and enhancing fleet
efficiency. Our procurement teams have strengthened supply chain resilience by
diversifying our supplier base and building robust inventory reserves, while proactively
planning for alternative energy options to protect our restaurant partners during macro
bottlenecks.
Through continuous macroeconomic monitoring and structured financial discipline,
Eternal remains agile, maintaining its capacity to deliver long-term stakeholder value
despite global uncertainties.
Brand / Reputation Governance
In an environment heavily driven by digital interactions, Eternal faces persistent
brand exposure from adverse publicity, social media perception pressures, and ineffective
customer experiences during complex operations. Public narratives can shift rapidly due to
political criticism regarding gig worker welfare, public protests, or administrative and
crowd management bottlenecks during major co-produced ticketing events. Such incidents can
inflate negative social media mentions, trigger elevated refund requests, and place sudden
stress on platform support infrastructures, presenting a challenge to long-term user
retention and brand loyalty. To safeguard brand health and maintain public trust, Eternal
utilizes advanced analytics tools to pre-emptively monitor social narratives and deploy
immediate corporate communications. We consistently validate our commitment to our fleet
through wide-ranging transparency initiatives regarding partner earnings and have rolled
out multi-city road safety campaigns in coordination with local authorities. For our
going-out verticals, platform features have been upgraded to include consumer-friendly
safeguards such as a "Refund Guarantee Fee" for flexible cancellations and
upfront payment capabilities to secure high-demand inventory smoothly. Guided by long-term
transparency and a responsible marketing approach, Eternal continues to reinforce consumer
trust and secure its brand equity across all touchpoints.
Black Swan Disruption Governance
Unforeseen, large-scale catastrophic events including severe geopolitical conflicts,
regional trade or tariff disruptions, public health emergencies, and localized security
incidents pose fundamental risks to consumer behavior and financial stability. Given that
a substantial concentration of group Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) is anchored within
top-tier urban metros, any localized mobility restriction, trade deadlock, or supply shock
can trigger severe operational and financial vulnerabilities across our consolidated
network. To ensure uninterrupted business continuity under adverse conditions, Eternal has
systematically decentralized its operational footprint and established a geographically
distributed supply architecture. We intentionally source critical inventory and materials
from a diversified pool of independent vendors across separate regions, eliminating
over-reliance on singular supply vectors. Furthermore, the Company is actively embedding
advanced technological solutions including deeper logistically focused automated systems
to systematically reduce platform dependency on highly volatile human and energy
variables. By prioritizing deep system resilience and predictive planning, Eternal stands
prepared to navigate complex, large-scale disruptions while safeguarding core operational
integrity.
15. Auditors and auditors' reports
Statutory auditors
M/s. Deloitte Haskins & Sells , Chartered Accountants (Firm Registration No.:
015125N and Peer Review Certificate No.: 017816) ("Deloitte"), were
re-appointed as the Statutory Auditors of the Company for a second term of 5 (five)
consecutive years to hold office from the conclusion of 15 th AGM, held in
2025, till the conclusion of 20th AGM. Further, Deloitte on their appointment confirmed
that: their appointment is within the limit prescribed under Section 141 of the
Act; they are not disqualified from continuing as statutory auditors under Section
141 of the Act; and
they hold a valid certificate issued by the peer review board of the Institute of
Chartered Accountants of India.
Deloitte has given an unmodified opinion and has not given any qualification or
reservation or adverse remark or disclaimer in their audit report on the financial
statements (standalone and consolidated) of the Company for the financial year ended on
March 31, 2026.
Secretarial auditors
M/s. Chandrasekaran Associates, Company
Secretaries (Firm Registration No.: P1988DE002500 and Peer Review Certificate No.:
6689/2025) (" CACS") were appointed as Secretarial Auditors of the
Company for a term of 5 (five) consecutive years starting from April 1, 2025 and ending on
March 31, 2030. Further, CACS on their appointment confirmed that:
their appointment is within the limits laid down under the guidelines of Institute
of Company Secretaries of India ("ICSI"); they are not
disqualified from continuing as secretarial auditors under Section 204 of the Act, Company
Secretaries Act, 1980, SEBI Listing Regulations and Securities and Exchange Board of India
circulars; they hold a valid peer review certificate issued by the ICSI.
The secretarial audit report issued for the financial year ended on March 31, 2026 does
not contain any qualification or reservation or observation or adverse remark and is
annexed as Annexure - III A. Further, CACS were also appointed as secretarial
auditors for Zomato Hyperpure Private Limited ("ZHPL"), and Blink
Commerce Private Limited ("BCPL") material unlisted subsidiaries of the
Company for the financial year ended on March 31, 2026. The secretarial audit reports of
ZHPL and BCPL are also annexed as
Annexure - III B and Annexure III C respectively. The Company has submitted
the annual secretarial compliance report with BSE Limited ("BSE") and
National Stock Exchange of India Limited ("NSE") (collectively referred
to as "Stock Exchanges") in compliance of Regulation 24A of the SEBI
Listing Regulations and same is available at
Link.
Internal auditor
Deepak Ahluwalia, Chartered Accountant, Global Head Governance, Risk & Compliance
of the Company, continues to act as the Internal Auditor of the Company in accordance with
Section 138 of the Act. He oversees the internal audit function across domains including
business processes, IT systems information security, regulatory compliance, health and
safety and data protection, with a focus on strengthening internal controls and driving
continuous improvement. In carrying out this responsibility, he is supported by reputed
firms of chartered accountants that provide independent assurance on the effectiveness of
internal controls, procedures and compliance processes.
Key audit findings and the results of management testing of internal financial controls
are presented to the Audit Committee on a quarterly basis.
16. Internal financial controls and their adequacy
As an integral component of the Company's risk and governance framework, internal
financial controls mitigate financial and operational risks to ensure orderly and
efficient business conduct. This framework secures adherence to corporate policies,
safeguards assets, prevents and detects fraud, maintains the accuracy of accounting
records, and facilitates the timely preparation of reliable financial statements.
Commensurate with the scale of its operations, the Company maintains a robust internal
control system over financial reporting. This framework ensures that all transactions are
duly authorized, recorded, and reported in compliance with the applicable accounting
standards. Key controls have been thoroughly documented, automated where feasible, and
embedded directly into core business processes. Oversight and assurance regarding control
effectiveness are delivered to the Board through three structured lines of defense:
Management Oversight: Maintained through ongoing business reviews and
self-assessments.
Risk Compliance: Driven by continuous monitoring from the Governance, Risk, and
Compliance function.
Independent Audits: Verified through comprehensive design and operational testing
by the Statutory and Secretarial Auditors. The Company confirms that its internal
financial controls were adequate and operating effectively throughout the financial year
under review. This evaluation is further validated by the Statutory Auditors, whose
independent testing revealed no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies.
17. Human resources
As on the financial year ended on March 31, 2026, the permanent employees on the rolls
of the Company were 6,750 (on standalone basis) and 21,995 (on consolidated basis).
At Eternal, we believe that our people are fundamental to building enduring businesses
and delivering sustainable long-term growth. We remain focused on attracting, developing,
and retaining exceptional talent while fostering a culture of meritocracy, ownership,
accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning. Through meaningful opportunities
for growth and development, we seek to empower our employees to contribute to the
Company's success and create lasting value for all stakeholders. We believe that a strong
and engaged workforce is fundamental to driving sustainable growth, innovation, and
organizational resilience. The details with respect to the remuneration of directors and
employees as required under Section 197 of the Act and Rule 5(1) of the Companies
(Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014 is annexed as Annexure
- IV. In terms of Section 136 of the Act, Annual Report and financial statements of
the Company are being sent to the shareholders excluding information on details of
employee remuneration as required under provisions of Section 197 of the Act and Rule 5(2)
& 5(3) of the
Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of
Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014. If any shareholder is interested in obtaining a copy
of the aforesaid information, such shareholder may send an email to the Company Secretary
and Compliance Officer of the Company at companysecretary@eternal.com.
18. Disclosure regarding employee stock options plans
At Eternal, we view our Employee Stock Option Plan
("ESOP") as a strategic instrument to foster a culture of ownership
and long-term value creation. ESOPs are designed to align employee interests with the
Company's long-term growth and success while rewarding sustained contribution and
performance.
By linking long-term incentives to employee contributions and the Company's outcomes,
ESOPs reinforces ownership, accountability, and long-term thinking, while supporting the
attraction, retention, and engagement of exceptional talent. The Company has five employee
stock option plans
("ESOP Schemes") as on the financial year ended on March 31, 2026,
namely:
Foodie Bay Employee Stock Option Plan 2014
("ESOP 2014");
Zomato Employee Stock Option Plan 2018
("ESOP 2018");
Zomato Employee Stock Option Plan 2021
("ESOP 2021");
Zomato Employee Stock Option Plan 2022
("ESOP 2022");and
Zomato Employee Stock Option Plan 2024
("ESOP 2024").
Further, there has been no change in the ESOP Schemes during the financial year under
review. In accordance with the terms of ESOP Schemes, options may be granted to employees
of the Company and its subsidiaries which gives them rights to receive
Equity Shares upon exercise.
The Company confirms that the ESOP Schemes are in compliance with the Securities and
Exchange Board of India (Share Based Employee Benefits and Sweat Equity) Regulations, 2021
("SEBI ESOP Regulations"). The Company has also obtained certificate(s)
from the Secretarial Auditors confirming that ESOP 2014, ESOP 2018, ESOP 2021, ESOP 2022
and ESOP 2024 have been implemented in accordance with the SEBI ESOP Regulations and the
resolutions passed by the shareholders of the Company. The said certificates will be made
available for inspection by the members electronically during the AGM of the Company. If
any shareholder is interested in obtaining a copy of the aforesaid certificates, such
shareholder may send an email to the Company Secretary and Compliance Officer of the
Company companysecretary@eternal.com.
Further, the details as required to be disclosed under Regulation 14 of the SEBI ESOP
Regulations are available at Link.
19. Disclosure under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention,
Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013
The Company maintains a zero-tolerance approach towards sexual harassment and is
committed to provide a safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace.
In compliance with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition
and Redressal) Act, 2013 ("POSH Act") and the rules thereunder, the
Company has adopted a Prevention of Sexual
Harassment ("POSH") policy.
The POSH policy is inclusive and gender-neutral, covering employees across genders,
including those who identify as members of the LGBTQI+ community. The Company has
established a robust framework for reporting and addressing complaints while ensuring
confidentiality. The POSH policy is available at Link.
To implement the POSH policy, the Company has constituted an Internal Complaints
Committee ("ICC") in accordance with the Section 4 of the POSH Act. The
ICC comprises members with relevant and diverse experiences, and is responsible for
investigating complaints, ensuring fair and impartial resolution, and promoting awareness
through training and sensitization initiatives designed to prevent harassment and promote
a culture of dignity and inclusion.
Details of sexual harassment complaints received and resolved during the financial year
under review by ICC are given below: Number of complaints received/filed during 27 the
financial year Number of complaints disposed off during 241 the financial year
Number of cases pending for more than 0 ninety days
Number of complaints pending as on the end 52 of the financial year
1 Number of complaints disposed off during the financial year includes 2 (two)
complaints that were received in previous financial year and disposed off in current
financial year within stipulated timelines.
2 The 5 (five) complaints pending as on the closure of the financial year ended
March 31, 2026 were subsequently resolved within the stipulated timelines.
20. Disclosure with respect to the compliance of the provisions relating to the
MaternityBenefitAct, 1961
Committed to workplace inclusivity and the principle of shared parenting, the Company
provides an
Equal Parental Leave aligned with the Maternity
Benefit Act, 1961. We take a holistic approach to working parents by offering
structured return to work frameworks, professional counselling and mental wellness
initiatives. Further, our corporate daycare partnerships and creche facilities provide the
practical infrastructure necessary to support an optimal work life balance. Further, all
applicable provisions of the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, have been complied by the
Company during the financial year under review.
21. Conservation of energy, technology absorption, and foreign exchange earnings and
outgo
The particulars relating to conservation of energy, technology absorption, and foreign
exchange earnings and outgo are given hereunder:
Conservation of energy
Eternal remains deeply committed to energy conservation and climate action, principles
that are firmly embedded in our operations and detailed in our environmental policy which
is available on the website of the Company. Eternal continually strives to minimize the
overall environmental impact of its operations and lower its carbon footprint by
prioritizing energy efficiency and waste management.
During the financial year under review, we implemented several key initiatives to
advance our sustainability goals and drive carbon reduction:
Equipment Optimization: Use of electrical equipment was streamlined across the
organisation including air-conditioning systems, office lighting, and beverage dispensers
to minimize energy waste and maximize operational efficiency.
Energy-Efficient Infrastructure: Deployment of LED lighting and monitors was
prioritised across our corporate offices, stores, and warehouses, reinforcing our
commitment to sustainable facility management.
Culture of Conservation: To foster energy consciousness, we consistently distribute
educational content across internal communication channels. These campaigns encourage our
workforce to adopt simple, impactful habits, such as turning off lights in empty meeting
rooms and unplugging fully charged devices.
Through these targeted efforts, Eternal is making substantial strides in energy
conservation and carbon reduction, setting a strong benchmark for corporate sustainability
and environmental responsibility. The details of conservation of energy are given
hereunder:
Particulars |
Details |
| i. the steps taken or impact on conservation of energy |
As mentioned above |
| ii. the steps taken by the Company for utilising alternate sources of
energy |
As mentioned above |
| iii. the capital investment on energy conservation equipments |
- |
Technology absorption
Eternal continuously explores and deploys technological, product, and service
innovations across its business portfolio. Notable recent advancements in financial FY26
include: Nugget: Originally introduced in FY25, Nugget is an AI-native customer
support platform designed to autonomously manage and resolve customer grievances. Its
deployment has significantly accelerated query resolution times, enabled highly
personalized support, and elevated overall customer satisfaction while driving substantial
cost efficiencies. Furthermore, Nugget is offered as a B2B solution, allowing external
businesses to effortlessly upgrade their own customer support operations.
Healthy Mode: Launched on the Zomato app in FY26, "Healthy Mode" empowers
users to make highly informed dietary choices. Rather than focusing solely on calories,
this feature assigns a comprehensive "Healthy Score" ranging from Low' to
Super' to every dish based on essential nutritional elements such as proteins,
complex carbohydrates, fiber, and micronutrients. Such information is derived from
restaurants' item description data and food images, which is analysed via our proprietary
AI-model.
Ambulance Service: Enabled on the Blinkit app, with an aim to bring reliable
emergency support closer to the consumers, addressing a wide range of emergencies
including cardiac arrest, seizure, roadside accident as well as OPD (Outpatient
Department) cases. The service is equipped with essential life-saving equipment,
including stretcher, scoop, wheelchair, vital-monitoring devices, oxygen cylinder, AED
(Automated External Defibrillator), a suction machine, and essential medicine and fluid.
Parental Controls Feature: Blinkit being the first quick commerce platform, where
consumers can set a 6-digit PIN to hide sensitive items from certain product categories,
such that younger age groups can browse the app without seeing age inappropriate products.
In case there are any changes made to these settings, the consumer is notified about the
same.
Print Store: Enables consumers to upload documents, passport-sized photos and
pictures for printing and have them delivered within minutes through the Blinkit app,
making it a convenient solution for last-minute needs.
Pharma Category: Blinkit deployed a seamless, teleconsultation and prescription
verification workflow. Under this framework, customer-uploaded prescriptions undergo
structured pharmacist review, with automated escalation to certified physicians for
secondary verification if required. For unprescribed orders, the app instantly connects
users to certified doctors for on-demand consultations and e-prescription issuance.
The details of technology absorption are given hereunder:
Sr. No. Particulars |
Category |
| i. The efforts made towards technology absorption |
As mentioned above |
| ii. The benefits derived like product improvement, cost reduction,
product development or import substitution |
As mentioned above |
| iii. In case of imported technology (imported during the last three years
reckoned from the beginning of the financial year) |
- |
| a) the details of technology imported |
- |
| b) the year of import |
- |
| c) whether the technology been fully absorbed |
- |
| d) if not fully absorbed, areas where absorption has not taken place, and
the reasons thereof |
- |
| iv. The expenditure incurred on research and development |
- |
Foreign exchange earnings and outgo
The details of foreign exchange earnings and outgo are given hereunder:
Particulars |
Amount |
| Foreign exchange earned |
58 |
| Foreign exchange outgo |
169 |
Foreign exchange earnings and outgo are on an accrual basis.
22. Statutory disclosures
Requirements for maintenance of cost records
During the financial year under review, requirement for maintenance of cost records
under Section 148 of the Act is not applicable on the Company. Consequently, the
appointment of a cost auditor is not required.
Details in respect of frauds reported by auditors
During the financial year under review, pursuant to Section 143 of the Act, Deloitte,
Statutory Auditors, Deepak Ahluwalia, Global Head - Governance, Risk & Compliance and
Internal Auditors and CACS, Secretarial Auditors have not reported any instance of frauds
committed in the Company, by its or employees to the Audit Committee.
Annual return
The annual return of the Company as on the financial year ended on March 31, 2026 in
terms of Section 92 and Section 134 of the Act is available at Link.
Material changes and commitments, if any, affecting the financial position of the
Company which have occurred between the end of the financial year of the Company to which
the financial statements relate and the date of the report
No material changes and commitments affecting the financial position of the Company
have occurred between the end of March 31, 2026, to which the financial statements relate
and the date of this Board
Report.
material orders Detailsofsignificant passed by the regulators or courts or tribunals
impacting the going concern status and Company's operations in future
During the financial year under review, no significant and material orders have been
passed by the regulators or courts or tribunals impacting the going concern status and
Company's operations in future. Further, there has been no change in the legal status of
the Company during the financial year under review
Management discussion and analysis report
In terms of the provisions of Regulation 34 of the SEBI Listing Regulations, management
discussion and analysis report is set out as a separate section under this Annual Report.
Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report ("BRSR")
For the financial year under review, the Company continues to prepare its
sustainability disclosures in accordance with the BRSR framework. The BRSR enables the
Company to report its sustainability performance in line with the principles of the
National Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct
(" NGRBC").
The Company has adopted the evolving BRSR framework in accordance with Master Circular
No. HO/49/14/14(7)2025-CFD-POD2/1/3762/2026 dated January 30, 2026 read with guidelines,
press releases as may be issued from time to time by SEBI. In accordance with the
aforementioned circulars, the Company has appointed Deloitte Haskins & Sells LLP to
provide assurance on the core Key Performance Indicators ("KPIs") and
select non-core KPIs included in the Assurance Report of the BRSR.
Additionally, while ESG disclosures related to value chain partners remain voluntary
for the financial year under review, the Company has voluntarily reported select ESG
indicators for its value chain partners in the BRSR. The BRSR is included as a separate
section of this Annual Report in accordance with the above regulatory guidance.
Corporate governance report
The Company has complied with all applicable corporate governance requirements as
prescribed under the Act and SEBI Listing Regulations. The report on corporate governance
is set out as a separate section under this Annual Report.
Transactions with related parties
In terms of provisions of Section 188 of the Act, transactions entered into with
related parties during . the financial year under review were in the ordinary course of
business and on an arm's length basis. Further, disclosure in Form AOC-2 under Section 134
of the Act is not applicable for the year under review. Related party transactions entered
during the financial year under review were approved by the
Audit Committee and the Board from time to time, and are disclosed in the notes to
accounts of the financial statements forming part of this Annual Report. Further, the
Company did not enter into any materially significant related party transactions required
the approval of shareholders. The policy on the materiality of related party transactions
and dealings with related party transactions is available at Link.
Deposits
The Company has not accepted any deposits from the public within the meaning of Section
73 of the Act and no amount on account of principal or interest on deposits from the
public was outstanding as on March 31, 2026. Accordingly, disclosures related to deposits
as required to be made under the Act are not applicable to the Company.
Particulars of loans and advances, guarantees and investments
Details of loans and advances given, investments made or guarantees given or security
provided as per the provisions of Section 186 of the Act and Regulation 34 of the SEBI
Listing Regulations are given in the notes forming part of the financial statements
provided in this Annual Report.
Details of application made or any proceeding pending under the Insolvency and
Bankruptcy Code, 2016
As on the financial year ended on March 31, 2026, the Company doesn't have any
application or proceeding pending under Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016. Further,
during the financial year under review, Nona Lifestyle Private Limited ("Operational
Creditor") whose original petition under Section 9 of Insolvency and Bankruptcy
Code, 2016 was dismissed by the National Company Law Tribunal, Delhi Bench II ("NCLT")
on November 25, 2024, filed a restoration application which was also rejected by the NCLT
vide its order dated April 3, 2025.
Compliance with Secretarial Standards
During the financial year under review, the Company has complied with the applicable
provisions of the Secretarial Standard-1 and Secretarial Standard-2 specified by the ICSI.
Revision of financial statements and
Board Report
During the financial year under review, there were no revisions in the financial
statements and Board
Report of the Company.
Utilisation of proceeds of QualifiedInstitutions Placement and deviation in utilisation
of proceeds of the issue, if any
During the year under review, there has been no deviation/ variation in utilisation of
the Qualified Institutions Placement ("QIP") proceeds. Further, details
of utilisation of QIP proceeds for the said period are given herein below:
|
|
Amount utilized (INR crore) |
|
Item head |
Amount as proposed in the offer document (INR crore) |
At the beginning of the period |
During the period |
At the end of the period |
Total unutilized amount (INR crore) |
| Expenditure towards setting up and running operations of Dark Stores and
warehouses |
2,137.00 |
180.86 |
1,956.14 |
2,137.00 |
0.00 |
| Advertising, marketing and branding initiatives across business offerings |
2,492.00 |
133.97 |
1,298.56 |
1,432.53 |
1,059.47 |
| Investment in technology infrastructure and capabilities, including cloud
infrastructure and software and towards development of technological capabilities |
1,769.00 |
111.10 |
586.36 |
697.46 |
1,071.54 |
| General corporate purposes |
2,038.12 |
380.83 |
951.26 |
1,332.09 |
706.03 |
Total |
8,436.121 |
806.76 |
4,792.322 |
5,599.08 |
2,837.04 |
1 Amount does not include the offer related expenses of approx. INR 63.88 crore in
relation to the QIP issue.
2a Includes reimbursement of the following amounts incurred by the
Company during the financial year ended March 31, 2025, which has been withdrawn from
issue proceeds during the financial year ended March 31, 2026.
- Expenditure towards setting up and running operations of Dark
Stores and warehouses INR 31.84 crore.
- Advertising, marketing and branding initiatives across our business offerings INR
41.03 crore.
- Investment in our technology infrastructure and capabilities, including cloud
infrastructure and software and towards development of our technological capabilities INR
3.67 crore.
2b Includes below amounts which have been paid during the financial year ended
March 31, 2026 and are currently forming part of the unutilized proceeds. Such amounts
have been paid from the current account and will be considered as utilized in the
financial year ending on March 31, 2027 when such amounts will be utilized from the
unutilized proceeds.
- Advertising, marketing and branding initiatives across our business offerings INR
131.32 crore.
- Investment in our technology infrastructure and capabilities, including cloud
infrastructure and software and towards development of our technological capabilities INR
70.04 crore.
Valuation done at the time of one time settlement
Disclosure w.r.t. details of difference between amount of the valuation done at the
time of one time settlement and the valuation done while taking loan from the banks or
financial institutions along with the reasons thereof, is not applicable for the financial
year under review.
Other disclosures
In addition, the following disclosures are provided for the financial year under
review:
There was no requirement to transfer any funds and equity shares to the investor
education and protection fund.
The Company has not made any provision of money for the purchase of its own shares
by employees or by trustees for the benefits of employees.
There were no corporate actions undertaken by the Company. Accordingly, there are
no instances of failure or non-compliance required to be reported.
There has been no change in the charter documents of the Company. The power to
change, amend, or completely replace the charter documents lies exclusively with the
shareholders of the Company.
23. Directors responsibility statement
In accordance with the provisions of Section 134 of the Act, directors to the best of
their knowledge and belief confirm and state that: In the preparation of the annual
accounts for the financial year ended on March 31, 2026, the applicable accounting
standards have been followed along with proper explanation relating to material
departures; The directors have selected such accounting policies and applied them
consistently and made judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent so as to
give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company as at the end of the
financial year March 31, 2026 and of the profit of the Company for that period;
The directors have taken proper and sufficient care for the maintenance of adequate
accounting records in accordance with the provisions of the Act for safeguarding the
assets of the Company and for preventing and detecting fraud and other irregularities; The
directors have prepared the annual accounts on a going concern basis;
The directors have laid down internal financial controls to be followed by the
Company and that such internal financial controls are adequate and were operating
effectively; and
The directors have devised proper systems to ensure compliance with the provisions
of all applicable laws and that such systems were adequate and operating effectively.
Acknowledgments
The Board would also like to thank all stakeholders including but not limited to
shareholders, customers, delivery partners, restaurant partners and all other business
associates for their continuous support to the Company and their confidence in its
management.
We look forward to their continuous support in the future.
For and on behalf of the Board
Eternal Limited (Formerly known as Zomato Limited)
| Sd/- |
Sd/- |
Kaushik Dutta |
Deepinder Goyal |
Chairman & Independent Director |
Vice Chairman & Non - Executive Director |
DIN: 03328890 |
DIN: 02613583 |
Date: July 22, 2026 |
Date: July 22, 2026 |
Place: New Delhi |
Place: New Delhi |
|