India, April 16 -- Paytm founder, CEO and MD Vijay Shekhar Sharma has voluntarily given up 2.1 Cr unvested employee stock options (ESOPs).

"Mr. Vijay Shekhar Sharma. vide letter dated April 16, 2025 has informed the company that he has voluntarily forgone all 2,10,00,000 (Two Crore Ten Lakhs) ESOPs granted to him under One 97 Employees Stock Option Scheme, 2019, with immediate effect," Paytm parent One 97 Communications said in an exchange filing.

Following this, the stock options have now been cancelled and returned to the ESOP pool.

Paytm said that the move will lead to an increase of INR 492 Cr in its ESOP expenses in Q4 FY25.

"This will result in a one-time, non-cash, acceleration of ESOP expense of INR 492 Cr in Q4 FY 2025, and a...