Vedanta Limited has delivered India’s largest employee equity programme in the manufacturing sector, creating a total financial impact of nearly ₹2,500 crore for its employees over the last five years, according to the company's official statement.

The company has granted shares at a price of just Re 1, among the lowest Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP) pricing in India, helping thousands of employees build long-term wealth.

In its latest ESOP 2025 grant, Vedanta issued stock options worth over ₹500 crore to nearly 1,200 employees, many of them first-time recipients, including freshers. Overall, around 40% of Vedanta’s workforce now benefits from its ESOP programme, making it one of the most inclusive employee ownership models in the country.

A key highlight is the recent vesting of ESOP 2022, which delivered over 80% share value appreciation and generated more than ₹300 crore in wealth for employees. With Vedanta’s share price currently at record highs, these gains have translated into real financial support for employees and their families.

Neeraj Kumar, Manager, Smelting Operations at Hindustan Zinc, said, “When my family was completing the registration for our home in Patna, we needed urgent funds. At that moment, my ESOPs became our biggest support. When the options were granted three years ago, I didn’t fully realise their potential. But as Vedanta’s share price rose sharply and hit record highs, vesting them recently came at exactly the right time.

Vedanta’s ESOPs are offered even to freshers and early-career professionals, with allocations of up to 30% of fixed pay over a three-year vesting period. 

S M Rahaman Kasim, Associate GM, Quality Management at BALCO, Vedanta Aluminium, said, “Vedanta’s ESOPs have given me the confidence to fund my children’s education. One of my sons is pursuing MBBS in Russia and the other is studying in Guwahati. Vedanta ESOPs helped me fulfil their aspirations without financial stress.”

Nilesh Bhor, Associate Manager, Finance at Sterlite Copper, added, “When my father’s car met with an accident and insurance was rejected, the repair cost was overwhelming. My ESOP savings helped us manage the situation with dignity. It was truly a lifeline for my family.”

Through this programme, Vedanta aims to change compensation norms in Indian manufacturing by extending equity ownership to engineers, plant teams, and middle management, ensuring employees directly benefit from the value they help create.