Quick answer
CPWD's official published unit rate schedule for building construction items, serving as the national benchmark for central government building works cost estimation and bid evaluation.
The Delhi Schedule of Rates (DSR) is the official unit rate schedule published by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), providing the government's benchmark prices for all items of building construction. The DSR is the primary pricing reference for central government building works and is adopted as the SoR benchmark by CPWD and many central agencies for estimating project costs and evaluating bid reasonableness.
What is the Delhi Schedule of Rates in government procurement?
The DSR is published by CPWD and revised every two to three years (the 2024 DSR is the current version as of this writing). It covers approximately 5,000 items across all trades of building construction:
Civil works: Earthwork, concrete, masonry, plastering, flooring, tiles, roofing, waterproofing, structural steel, glazing, interior finishes.
Electrical works: Internal wiring, conduit, switchgear, sub-stations, lifts, firefighting systems, HVAC.
Plumbing and sanitation: Water supply, sewage, sanitation fixtures, drainage.
Horticulture: Landscaping, plants, irrigation.
Specialized: Guniting, underpinning, anti-termite treatment.
Each DSR item has:
- An item description with specification reference (CPWD Spec Vol. 2 clause).
- A unit (cum, sqm, kg, nos, etc.).
- A rate per unit (the government's benchmark).
- An Analysis of Rates (AoR) showing how the rate is built up.
The DSR is calibrated to Delhi and the NCR region. For projects outside Delhi, CPWD applies location factors, percentage adjustments (positive or negative) to DSR rates based on local input cost differences. These location factors are published separately and applied to convert Delhi DSR rates to local equivalents.
Many state PWDs adopt the DSR with state-specific amendments rather than publishing entirely independent SoRs, because the DSR's comprehensive coverage and rigorous AoR backing make it a reliable starting point.
For estimating the government's cost of a new building project, the CPWD quantity surveyor applies DSR rates to the quantities in the detailed estimate and adjusts for location to arrive at the estimated contract value published in the NIT.
Why it matters for bidders
DSR rates are the closest thing to an official market price for building construction items in central government procurement. When you price a CPWD tender BOQ, comparing your AoR-derived rates against DSR rates tells you whether you are pricing in the expected range or are significantly off.
Bid rates more than 25 percent above DSR for any significant BOQ item will trigger TEC scrutiny. The government engineer will request a rate analysis justification. Having a prepared AoR that explains the deviation (local material scarcity, unusual logistical cost, specialized equipment requirement) is essential.
DSR rates also set the benchmark for pricing of extra items, work that arises during execution but was not in the original BOQ. Under CPWD contracts, extra items are priced by reference to DSR rates (if the item is in DSR) or by AoR methodology (if it is a new item). Knowing DSR rates helps contractors negotiate fair rates for extras.
Example
A contractor bids on a CPWD-administered office building renovation in Mumbai. The DSR rate for "providing M25 grade RCC in columns" is Rs 9,200 per cum (Delhi base). CPWD publishes a Mumbai location factor of +12 percent. The effective DSR benchmark for Mumbai is Rs 10,304 per cum. The contractor's AoR for Mumbai (with local aggregate, cement, and labour rates) gives Rs 10,800 per cum. Their BOQ rate of Rs 10,800 is about 5 percent above the adjusted DSR rate, within the acceptable range and unlikely to be flagged for unbalanced bidding.
Key rules / thresholds
- DSR is published by CPWD; current version is DSR 2024.
- Location factors are published by CPWD to convert DSR (Delhi) rates to local equivalents.
- Rates more than 25 percent above DSR benchmark (after location adjustment) require AoR justification.
- Extra items in CPWD contracts are priced by reference to DSR rates where applicable.
- DSR is available for purchase from CPWD offices and is the mandatory reference for CPWD quantity surveyors.
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Related terms
Schedule of Rates (SoR)
The government's officially published unit rate schedule for construction work items, serving as the pricing benchmark for estimating project costs and evaluating bid reasonableness.
ViewAnalysis of Rates (AoR)
The detailed cost breakdown for each BOQ item showing material, labour, plant, overhead, and profit components used to justify and verify unit rates in government contracts.
ViewCPWD Manual Volume 1 & 2
The Central Public Works Department's authoritative operational manuals governing construction procurement procedures, contractor registration, and technical specifications for central government building works.
ViewBill of Quantities (BOQ)
An itemised list of works, quantities, and rates that bidders price to arrive at their total tender value.
ViewEstimated Contract Value (ECV)
The government's internal estimate of the total cost of a procurement, published in the NIT, used to determine EMD amounts, eligibility thresholds, and evaluate whether L1 bids are reasonably priced.
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