Info Edge Founder Sanjeev Bikhchandani Set to Return as CEO as Hitesh Oberoi Steps Down

Info Edge (India) Ltd, the parent company of prominent recruitment platform Naukri.com, has announced a significant leadership reshuffle. Hitesh Oberoi will relinquish his positions as managing director and chief executive officer at the close of business on December 2, following a nearly 27-year tenure with the company.

According to a stock exchange filing, Oberoi will transition to a non-executive, non-independent director role starting December 3, pending shareholder approval. Sanjeev Bikhchandani, currently serving as founder and vice chairman, is slated to step in as executive vice chairman, managing director, and group CEO from the same date. His appointment is scheduled to run through April 26, 2031, in alignment with his existing shareholder-approved term.

Reflecting on his departure, Oberoi stated that he decided to step back after careful deliberation, having spent nearly three decades helping build the enterprise, including over 16 years as its chief executive. During Oberoi's tenure as CEO, Info Edge's market capitalisation grew from approximately ₹2,500 crore to roughly ₹80,000 crore. He noted that the company has reached key operational milestones, citing Naukri.com's AI and data strategy, 99acres evolving into a cash-generating property platform, profitability for Jeevansathi and Aisle, and the development of a monetisation engine for Jobhai.

Oberoi plans to direct his focus toward higher education, entrepreneurship, investing, philanthropy, and family, while remaining accessible to advise the company through his board position. Company Chairman Kapil Kapoor praised Oberoi's operational execution and strategic direction across various economic cycles.

Bikhchandani, who has partnered with Oberoi for over 27 years to shape Info Edge into a leading consumer internet enterprise, acknowledged his colleague's substantial contributions. Under Bikhchandani's upcoming expanded executive mandate, the founder's long-term investment perspective and familiarity with the company's culture will guide its next growth phase.

Alongside its core consumer internet platforms, Info Edge has utilized capital generated by its operating businesses to invest broadly in India's startup ecosystem, building a portfolio that includes stakes in companies that have subsequently achieved independent public listings. The leadership transition does not involve any immediate modifications to the company's underlying operating structure or business strategy, and all proposed appointments remain contingent on final shareholder approval.

"Leadership transitions in established consumer internet companies are critical junctures. Info Edge has demonstrated remarkable scaling over the last two decades under Hitesh Oberoi, taking market capitalization from ₹2,500 crore to ₹80,000 crore. Founder Sanjeev Bikhchandani returning to an executive role brings deep institutional knowledge and strategic continuity back to the helm. For the broader Indian startup ecosystem, Info Edge's ability to maintain steady operations while backing early-stage ventures remains a vital anchor. Leadership stability combined with seasoned governance ensures that the company's dual focus on core platforms and startup investments continues uninterrupted." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes