BR — Approval of Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP)
Ready-to-use draft board resolution for approval of Employee Stock Option Plan under the Companies Act, 2013. Includes format, legal references, and compliance notes. Illustrative only — customize based on your company's MOA, AOA, and professional advice.
Filing: MGT-14 within 30 days if required under Section 117
When is This Resolution Needed?
approval of Employee Stock Option Plan requires a formal resolution under the Companies Act, 2013. Must be passed at a validly convened Board meeting with proper quorum (Section 174 — 1/3rd of directors or 2, whichever higher), notice (7 days under Section 173(3)), and minutes (Section 118).
Draft Board Resolution
[On the letterhead of the Company]
CERTIFIED TRUE COPY OF THE RESOLUTION PASSED AT THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF [COMPANY NAME] HELD ON [DATE] AT [TIME] AT [REGISTERED OFFICE ADDRESS]
Present: 1. Mr./Ms. [Name] — Director (Chairperson) | 2. Mr./Ms. [Name] — Director | 3. Mr./Ms. [Name] — Director
Quorum: Present throughout as required under Section 174.
Resolution
"RESOLVED THAT pursuant to Section 62(1)(b), the Board recommends the [Company Name] Employee Stock Option Plan [Year] for shareholder approval by special resolution: Grant of [Number] options, exercise price Rs. [Price] (or at discount of [X]% from market price), vesting over [X] years, exercise period [X] years from vesting."
"RESOLVED FURTHER THAT any one Director or the Company Secretary be and is hereby authorized to do all acts, deeds, and things necessary to give effect to the above resolution, including filing forms with ROC, signing documents, and making applications."
Certified True Copy
For [Company Name]
[Name] | Company Secretary / Director | Date: [Date] | Place: [Place]
Compliance Notes
Key: (a) SR mandatory. (b) Minimum 1-year vesting. (c) Valuation by registered valuer for unlisted companies. (d) Listed companies: SEBI SBEB Regulations additionally apply. (e) Not available to promoters/IDs of listed companies. (f) Tax: taxed as perquisite on exercise (difference between FMV and exercise price).
Post-Resolution Checklist
| # | Action | Timeline | Responsible | ☐ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Record minutes within 30 days (Sec 118) | 30 days | CS | ☐ |
| 2 | File MGT-14 if required (Sec 117) | 30 days | CS/Director | ☐ |
| 3 | File applicable MCA form | 15-30 days | CS/Director | ☐ |
| 4 | Update statutory registers | 7-15 days | CS | ☐ |
| 5 | Notify stakeholders | As prescribed | CS | ☐ |