The correct answer is option 4- Reserve and Surplus.
Share Options Outstanding Account is recognized as a separate item under Reserve and Surplus.
Reserves and Surplus are essential components that require careful classification. The following categories help organize these items effectively:
i) Capital Reserve: This category includes reserves set aside for specific capital-related purposes.
ii) Capital Redemption Reserve: Here, reserves are accumulated to facilitate the redemption of capital.
iii) Securities Premium Reserve: This category comprises the premium received from the issuance of securities.
iv) Debenture Redemption Reserve: Reserves are earmarked to ensure the timely redemption of debentures.
v) Revaluation Reserve: In this category, the reserves reflect the revaluation of assets or liabilities.
vi) Share Options Outstanding Account: This is a separate item that records the credit balance related to employee share-based payments.
vii) Other Reserves (Specifying nature and purpose): Any additional reserves with specific purposes are grouped under this category, clearly specifying their nature and intended use.
viii) Surplus: The balance from the statement of profit and loss is disclosed here, indicating allocations and appropriations, such as dividends, bonus shares, and transfers to/from reserves.
ICAI’s Guidance Note on Accounting for Employee share based payments requires a credit balance in the ‘Stock option outstanding Account’ to be disclosed in balance sheet under separate heading’ between share capital and reserves and surplus as a part of shareholders fund. Thus major head is shareholder fund and subhead is reserves and surplus. | 
