Vedanta Rolls Out Largest-Ever FY25 Stock Options Worth INR 450 Crore
Vedanta has administered its ESOS for over 20 years, demonstrating the company’s long-term commitment to instill ownership mindset among employees
September 01, 2025. By News Bureau
Vedanta has administered its ESOS for over 20 years, demonstrating the company’s long-term commitment to instill ownership mindset among employees. The equity awards have increased by over 80 per cent in a period of just five years.
Employee stock options are a form of employee benefit plan that allows them the right to purchase company shares at INR 1, rewarding their role in organisational growth. This is deemed as a performance incentive and aids in wealth-creation.
Mukesh Sharaf, a mid-career HR professional at Vedanta’s BALCO, said, "The stock options scheme played a pivotal role in helping me secure a home for my family. It’s more than a financial benefit–it’s a symbol of trust and long-term partnership that Vedanta offers to its employees."
Vedanta is the first major natural resources company in India to implement such a wide-reaching stock option plan. This inclusive policy extends participation even to early career professionals, distinctly setting it apart in the corporate landscape. From engineers at plant sites to executives at the beginning of their careers, Vedanta’s employee stock options policy ensures that every employee has skin in the game and a share in the organisation’s success. For freshers, the programme is particularly rewarding, with ESOS grants equivalent to nearly 30 per cent of their fixed pay, offered in addition to their compensation. This translates into wealth creation potential of several lakhs as early as three years of joining.
"Thanks to the stock options scheme, I was able to fund the education of my younger brother in one of the best engineering colleges in India, invest in my own professional growth and support my parents. It has not only provided financial empowerment, but also a deep sense of ownership and belonging to the Vedanta family," said Shivam Kumar, Lead—Project Safety, Cairn Oil and Gas, Barmer.
The organisation is driven by its Founder and Chairman Anil Agarwal’s vision to empower women and youth, and to fast-track their career growth in terms of leadership opportunities as well as greater financial independence. It has not only empowered its workforce, but also redefined how industry leaders can drive employee motivation, retention and long-term loyalty.
Mamta Bhagat, Head–Business Partner Management , Vedanta Aluminium, Jharsuguda, secured her family’s future with a land investment.
She said, "I utilised my stock options to purchase a plot of land near my mother's home. The employee stock options scheme gave me not just a financial cushion, but the confidence to dream bigger. I feel proud to be part of an organisation that truly empowers its people."
Similarly, Neha Guha, Deputy General Counsel – Legal, Cairn Oil & Gas, Vedanta, is a working mother, and is carefully building a corpus for her child’s education.
“Being a working mother, the stock options scheme gave me the confidence that I’m building something valuable for my child’s future. It’s a thoughtful initiative that turns loyalty into long-term wealth creation," she remarked.
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