Zomato parent Eternal approves Rs 224 Cr ESOP grant
Eternal, parent company of Zomato and Blinkit, approved 64 lakh stock options under its ESOP 2014, 2021, and 2024 plans, with a total grant value of Rs 224 crore based on the opening price on NSE.
Eternal, the parent company behind food delivery platform Zomato and quick commerce app Blinkit, on Thursday said it has approved the grant of ESOPs worth Rs 224 crore to eligible employees across multiple ESOP plans.
According to exchange filings, the company's Nomination and Remuneration Committee approved the 64,13,217 stock options across the ESOP 2014, ESOP 2021, and ESOP 2024 plans.
Based on the opening price of Rs 326.2 on NSE, the grant is worth Rs 224 crore.
The options were granted at an exercise price of Re 1 per share, with each option convertible into one fully paid equity share of Re 1 face value. In total, the stock options cover 6,895,545 shares, including adjustments made under the respective ESOP schemes.
Under ESOP 2014 and ESOP 2021, options can be exercised within 10 years from the date of vesting or 12 years from the date of listing, whichever is later. Options under ESOP 2024 can be exercised within 10 years from vesting.
In April 2025, Eternal granted stock options worth about Rs 4.42 crore under ESOP 2014 and ESOP 2021. More recently, in July 2025, it allotted 64.77 lakh stock options under the same plans, with a cumulative grant value of around Rs 168 crore, according to the exchange filings.
This announcement comes amid significant regulatory and operational changes affecting Zomato's business model. A recent GST ruling now mandates that delivery fees charged by platforms like Zomato and Swiggy attract an 18% Goods and Services Tax. For instance, a Rs 40 delivery fee now incurs an additional Rs 7.20 in tax, raising the total to Rs 47.20, unless platforms absorb the levy. This move places the onus of tax collection on the platforms, which were previously considered intermediaries.
Simultaneously, Zomato has increased its platform fee to Rs 12 per order ahead of the festive season, up from Rs 10. This hike is part of a series of increases since the fee was first introduced at Rs 2 in August 2023, aimed at bolstering margins amid rising operational costs
Edited by Kanishk Singh