An impartial benchmarking train commissioned by Paytm has discovered that the remuneration of founder and CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma is materially under the benchmarks for comparable firms.

The board of mum or dad One 97 Communications has now proposed a revision, in accordance with the discover for the corporate’s twenty sixth annual normal assembly.

Sharma took complete remuneration of Rs 4.33 crore in FY26, together with perquisites, down from Rs 4.5 crore the earlier 12 months. His base pay has not modified since 19 August 2022. He holds no worker inventory choices within the firm.

The benchmarking in contrast him towards founders and CEOs of new-age web, monetary providers and know-how firms within the BSE 100 and BSE 100 leaders extra broadly

Underneath the proposal, his pay would add a variable element set by the Nomination and Remuneration Committee towards predefined monetary targets. For FY27, that focus on is the proportion achievement of revenue after tax development. No contemporary inventory choices are included. Importantly, shareholders should approve the change.

It is value noting that Sharma is barred from accepting ESOPs from any listed firm. In a settlement with the SEBI concluded in Could 2025, Sharma accepted a three-year prohibition on accepting contemporary worker inventory choices from any listed firm, and paid Rs 1.11 crore. The corporate additionally paid the identical quantity. The restriction runs to roughly Could 2028. So a pay construction for FY27 that comprises no inventory choices is just not the board exercising restraint.

The place he sits towards his friends

The benchmarking conclusion isn’t a surprise when set towards comparable founders. Nykaa’s Falguni Nayar acquired round Rs 11 crore in FY25, a 28% improve. Meesho’s Vidit Aatrey took about Rs 5.42 crore in the identical 12 months. Sharma’s Rs 4.33 crore in FY26 sits on the decrease finish of that group, and it went down fairly than up.

There’s additionally historical past in how he has dealt with his personal pay. In July 2025, the Nomination and Remuneration Committee and the board advisable including a variable element to his wage. Sharma, in accordance with the AGM discover, voluntarily requested that his remuneration keep unchanged. He has taken no improve in base compensation for 4 years.

Tying pay to revenue, and what which means

The proposed construction hyperlinks Sharma’s variable pay to revenue after tax development for FY27. It is a significant change from a flat wage, and it arrives as Paytm strikes into a unique part. The corporate reported its first full year of profitability in FY26.

Within the June 2026 quarter it posted a net profit of Rs 220 crore, up 79% year-on-year, alongside its highest ever quarterly EBITDA of Rs 203 crore.

The decision will go to shareholders on the twenty sixth AGM. Historical past suggests it’s going to go comfortably. On the 2022 annual assembly, held when Paytm’s inventory had misplaced greater than 60% of its worth since itemizing and IIAS had publicly urged investors to vote against his reappointment, 99.67% of shareholders voted to keep Sharma as managing director and CEO.

Each decision that 12 months, together with one on his remuneration, handed with a minimum of 94% assist. The circumstances now are significantly extra beneficial to him than they have been then.