Info Edge founder Sanjeev Bikhchandani is set to return to an active leadership role at the company, taking over as managing director and group chief executive officer after Hitesh Oberoi steps down in December. The leadership transition comes as the parent company of Naukri.com reports its second-quarter results and prepares for its next phase of growth across recruitment, real estate and other digital businesses.
The company announced on October 28 that Oberoi would step down from his positions as managing director and CEO at the close of business on December 2, 2026. Bikhchandani will assume the roles of executive vice chairman, managing director and group CEO from December 3, subject to shareholder approval. His appointment is scheduled to run until April 26, 2031.
Oberoi’s departure from the executive role marks the end of nearly 27 years with Info Edge, including more than 16 years as its managing director and CEO. He will continue to be associated with the company as a non-executive, non-independent director, subject to shareholder approval.
In explaining his decision, Oberoi said he wanted to step back from his full-time operating responsibilities to devote more time to higher education, entrepreneurship, institution building, investing and philanthropy. He also plans to spend more time with his family. He said the decision followed careful consideration and that the company had developed a leadership team capable of taking its businesses forward.
Bikhchandani, who founded Info Edge and currently serves as its vice chairman, has worked alongside Oberoi for more than 27 years. He credited his colleague’s leadership, judgement and team-building efforts with helping shape the company. The transition brings the founder back into a more direct management role while retaining Oberoi’s experience at board level.
Info Edge has grown beyond its flagship recruitment platform into a wider portfolio of internet businesses. Its brands include Naukri.com in recruitment, 99acres in real estate, Jeevansathi in matrimony and Shiksha in education. It also operates Jobhai, which focuses on blue-collar employment opportunities, and has invested in Indian startups using cash generated by its businesses.
During Oberoi’s time as CEO, Info Edge’s market capitalisation increased from around Rs 2,500 crore to approximately Rs 80,000 crore, according to the company. Its businesses have expanded, while its investment activity has made it a notable participant in India’s startup ecosystem.
The leadership change was announced alongside Info Edge’s July-September quarter results. The company reported an 87% year-on-year increase in consolidated net profit to about Rs 650 crore, while operating revenue rose 12% to around Rs 904 crore. The company’s recruitment business remains a major contributor, while its property listings and other platforms provide additional revenue streams.
Oberoi has highlighted the progress of the company’s individual businesses as he prepares to leave his full-time executive role. Naukri has been developing its artificial intelligence and data strategy, while 99acres has strengthened its position in the property-listings market. Jeevansathi and Aisle have moved towards profitability, and Jobhai has been building its monetisation model.
The transition comes at a time when technology is changing how companies recruit, reach customers and manage digital platforms. Info Edge’s next leadership phase will involve sustaining growth in its established businesses while adapting to competition and emerging technologies, including the use of AI in recruitment services.
Separately, e-commerce platform Meesho reported a sharp narrowing of its losses in the second quarter of FY27. Its consolidated net loss fell to Rs 132.45 crore from Rs 411.36 crore in the same period a year earlier, while revenue from operations rose 34.4% to Rs 4,131.58 crore.
Meesho also reported growth in users, sellers and orders, reflecting continued expansion of its value-focused online marketplace. However, expenses remained substantial as the company invested in its platform and prepared for seasonal shopping demand. The timing of its major festive sale also shifted compared with the previous year, affecting year-on-year comparisons.
In another corporate development, IBM named Santosh Kumar as head of growth marketing for India and South Asia. Kumar previously worked as the company’s Asia-Pacific ecosystem marketing leader, collaborating with partners and distributors across the region. His new role places him in charge of regional growth marketing as IBM continues to strengthen its relationships with enterprise customers and business partners.
Together, the developments show how companies across India’s technology sector are balancing leadership transitions, financial performance and expansion. For Info Edge, Bikhchandani’s return marks a significant change at the top, while Meesho’s narrowing losses and IBM’s marketing appointment reflect separate efforts to build sustainable growth in a competitive digital economy.