Written by Intern Rency Gomes ||Team Allycaral
New Delhi, January 19, 2026: Vedanta Limited (NSE: VEDL), India’s leading metals, oil & gas, critical minerals, power and technology conglomerate, has delivered one of the largest employee equity initiatives in Indian manufacturing, creating a cumulative financial impact of nearly ₹2,500 crore through Employee Stock Option (ESOP) grants over the past five years.
The latest ESOP 2025 grant alone accounts for stock options worth over ₹500 crore, benefiting nearly 1,200 first-time recipients, including freshers. Vedanta’s ESOP programme is among the most inclusive in the country, covering nearly 40 per cent of its workforce across plants, functions and career levels.
With more than two decades of consistent ESOP administration, employee ownership has become a core part of Vedanta’s organisational culture. Notably, the programme extends equity participation to early-career professionals, with eligible freshers receiving allocations amounting to nearly 30 per cent of fixed pay over a standard three-year vesting cycle—making Vedanta one of the few Indian conglomerates to offer ESOPs at this level.
A defining feature of Vedanta’s ESOP structure is the allotment of shares at a deeply discounted price of Rs.1, among the lowest ESOP pricing in India. This approach reinforces shared ownership while minimising upfront investment for employees. With Vedanta’s share price touching all-time highs, the ESOP programme has enabled thousands of employees to achieve key life milestones such as home ownership, higher education, vehicle purchases and long-term financial security.
The ESOP 2022 vesting cycle delivered over 80 per cent appreciation in share value, generating more than ₹300 crore in wealth for employees, highlighting the strong link between organisational performance and employee rewards.
The programme reflects the vision of Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal to democratise wealth creation, accelerate career progression and provide equitable financial opportunities, particularly for young professionals and women. The performance-linked ESOP structure recognises sustained contributions in priority areas such as automation, digitalisation, AI-driven innovation, operational excellence and sustainability.
By extending equity ownership to engineers, plant teams and middle management—groups traditionally excluded from such rewards—Vedanta is redefining compensation practices in Indian manufacturing and reinforcing its belief that employees should directly share in the value they help create.
