DSR 2023 Complete Guide — Civil Vol 1 + Vol 2 + E&M Walkthrough
The Delhi Schedule of Rates (DSR) is the most-used SOR in India. CPWD's DSR underpins central government tenders, gets adopted with multipliers by half a dozen state PWDs, and is the rate analysis benchmark every Indian quantity surveyor is expected to know. The DSR 2023 edition spans four volumes — Civil Vol 1, Civil Vol 2, E&M Vol 1, and E&M Vol 2 — and totals over 13,000 priced line items.
This is a full walkthrough of every volume's chapter structure, how the rates are derived, and what changed from the 2021 edition. Use it to navigate the PDFs faster, or just to understand what you're looking at when a contractor says "this is per DSR 2023".
The full PDFs are linked from /sor/cpwd, with mirrors that load reliably. Our extracted dataset (every priced row, normalised) is also browsable.
The Four Volumes — at a Glance
| Volume | Chapters | Items | Pages | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Vol 1 | 20 sub-heads | ~4,300 priced | 540 | Earthwork, RCC, brickwork, plaster, flooring, doors/windows, roofing, demolition |
| Civil Vol 2 | 14 sub-heads + 4 appendices | ~2,400 priced | 396 | Roads, water supply, sewerage, horticulture, dismantling, rate analysis |
| E&M Vol 1 | 17 chapters | ~4,300 priced | 410 | Internal electrical, low/medium voltage, DG, transformers, conduit + cable |
| E&M Vol 2 | 14 chapters | ~1,500 priced | 225 | HVAC, lifts/escalators, fire detection, CCTV, BMS, solar PV |
InfraLens has all four volumes ingested as searchable line items — every priced row is normalised with item code, description, unit, rate, and lead/lift markup. Search across them in our SOR data layer.
Civil Vol 1 — Chapter Map
Civil Vol 1 is the foundation document. If you only download one volume, it's this. Chapter (sub-head) numbering follows CPWD convention.
| Sub-head | Title | Item count | Common uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Earthwork | ~280 | Excavation, filling, compaction, dewatering. IS 1200 Pt 1 measurement. |
| 2 | Mortars | ~110 | Cement, lime, surkhi, mud mortars by mix ratio |
| 3 | Concrete Work (PCC) | ~180 | Plain cement concrete in foundations, plinths, beds |
| 4 | RCC Work | ~340 | RCC slabs, beams, columns, footings — by grade and exposure. IS 456 based. |
| 5 | Brickwork | ~210 | 9", 4.5" brick walls, in cement / lime mortars. By location (foundation, super-structure). |
| 6 | Stone Work | ~95 | Random rubble, course rubble, ashlar — wall and flooring |
| 7 | Marble / Granite Work | ~140 | Polished/honed flooring, wall cladding, kitchen platforms |
| 8 | Wood Work | ~310 | Doors, windows, frames, glazing, railings |
| 9 | Steel & Iron Work | ~270 | Reinforcement, structural steel, gates, railings, MS doors |
| 10 | Flooring | ~290 | IPS, vitrified, ceramic, terrazzo, kota stone, marble |
| 11 | Roofing | ~140 | RCC slab finishes, GI sheet, AC sheet, polycarbonate |
| 12 | Finishing | ~210 | Plaster (internal/external), POP, cement plaster, paint |
| 13 | Repairs to Buildings | ~180 | Crack injection, jacketing, façade restoration |
| 14 | Dismantling & Demolition | ~120 | Per-cubic-metre rates by material type |
| 15 | Aluminium Work | ~140 | Doors, windows, partitions, façade glazing |
| 16 | Water Proofing | ~95 | Bituminous, polymer, crystalline systems |
| 17 | Horticulture & Landscape | ~80 | Tree planting, lawn, irrigation infrastructure |
| 18 | Sanitary Installations | ~290 | Pipes, fittings, fixtures, urinal blocks. IS 1172 referenced. |
| 19 | Water Supply | ~210 | Water tanks, valves, pumps, distribution |
| 20 | Drainage | ~140 | Storm drains, sewer lines, manholes, RCC pipes |
Civil Vol 2 — Roads, Water Supply, Specialist Works
Vol 2 covers what Vol 1 doesn't: roads, complete water-supply systems, sewerage, and the indispensable rate-analysis appendices. Sub-head numbering continues from Vol 1.
| Sub-head | Title | Item count |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Roads | ~340 (BT, WBM, GSB, PCC, kerbs) |
| 22 | Bituminous Work | ~190 (premix, dense bitumen, mastic) |
| 23 | Concrete Roads | ~110 (PQC, joints, dowel bars) |
| 24 | Water Supply (Major) | ~280 (GI, DI, MS, HDPE, PVC pipes) |
| 25 | Sewerage | ~210 (RCC, stoneware, HDPE sewer pipes) |
| 26 | Tube Wells | ~80 (drilling, casing, pumps) |
| 27 – 32 | Specialist Civil Works | ~310 (waterproofing, fire-fighting, signage, RCC water tanks) |
The four appendices in Vol 2 are essential reading for tender preparation:
- Appendix A — Schedule of Materials (lead distances, market rates assumed for derivation)
- Appendix B — Schedule of Labour (minimum wage rates by skill class)
- Appendix C — Rate Analysis Examples (CPWD's worked examples for ~80 items)
- Appendix D — Specifications (technical specs cross-referenced to BIS codes)
For deep-dives on rate analysis methodology, see our Rate Analysis Worked Examples.
E&M Vol 1 — Internal Electrical Distribution
E&M Vol 1 covers everything from the LT panel inwards — internal wiring, switchgear, lighting, DG sets up to ~250 kVA, transformers up to ~2,000 kVA. Numbering starts fresh (EM-1...).
| Chapter | Topic | Item count |
|---|---|---|
| EM-1 | General Specifications | ~50 |
| EM-2 | Internal Electrical Installation (point wiring) | ~480 |
| EM-3 | Sub-distribution Boards, MCBs, RCCBs | ~360 |
| EM-4 | Cables (LT, HT) | ~580 |
| EM-5 | Conduits & Accessories | ~310 |
| EM-6 | Earthing & Lightning Protection | ~240 |
| EM-7 | Lighting Fittings | ~520 |
| EM-8 | Fans & Exhaust | ~210 |
| EM-9 | Power Wiring | ~320 |
| EM-10 | LT Switchboards / Panels | ~280 |
| EM-11 to 17 | HT distribution, transformers, DG, capacitors, UPS, solar | ~950 |
E&M Vol 2 — HVAC, Lifts, Specialty Systems
| Chapter | Topic | Item count |
|---|---|---|
| EMV2-1 to 4 | HVAC chillers, AHUs, FCUs, ductwork | ~480 |
| EMV2-5, 6 | VRF / VRV systems, split + cassette ACs | ~210 |
| EMV2-7 | Lifts (passenger, freight, hospital) | ~140 |
| EMV2-8 | Escalators & Travelators | ~50 |
| EMV2-9, 10 | Fire Detection & Suppression | ~210 |
| EMV2-11, 12 | CCTV, Access Control, BMS | ~180 |
| EMV2-13 | Solar PV Rooftop | ~80 |
| EMV2-14 | Acoustic / Insulation Specials | ~50 |
How DSR Rates Are Derived
Every rate in DSR is built up from four components:
- Materials — at Schedule of Material rates (Appendix A), with lead included up to 50 km from the stated source
- Labour — at Schedule of Labour rates (Appendix B), based on minimum wage rates for Delhi NCR
- Tools, plant, water charges (T&P) — typically 1–3% of material+labour
- Contractor's profit + overhead (CP&OH) — flat 15% on the sum of the three above
For each priced item the formula is:
Rate = (Materials + Labour + T&P) × 1.15
The 15% CP&OH is uniform across all items. This is why DSR rates are slightly higher than market — the 15% is built in. State PWDs typically apply a "DSR multiplier" (e.g., 0.92× for some, 1.05× for others) to adjust DSR rates for their region's labour and material differential.
For step-by-step rate analysis examples, including how to recompute when material prices spike, see our Rate Analysis 10 Examples.
Lead and Lift in DSR
Lead is horizontal transport distance; lift is vertical. DSR includes lead up to 50 km and lift up to 1.5 m in the base rate. Beyond that you add CPWD-specified surcharges per appendix:
- Lead beyond 50 km: per-km rate per material category (see Vol 1 General Specifications)
- Lift beyond 1.5 m: separate rate per metre, varies by material
This is the most-misapplied DSR concept. We have a dedicated Lead and Lift Guide.
Year-on-Year Change — DSR 2021 → DSR 2023
DSR 2023 was published in October 2023 and is the current binding edition for CPWD tenders. Material rates moved an average of +10.4% from DSR 2021. Highlights:
- OPC 43 cement: +6.2%
- TMT Fe500D steel: +14.1%
- River sand: +11.7% (m-sand: +9.3%)
- Bricks: +8.4%
- Skilled mason labour: +12% (minimum wage revision)
- Aluminium sections: +18% (commodity-driven)
- Most RCC composite items: +9 to 12%
The next revision (DSR 2025 or 2026) is expected within 18 months. Track via the SOR Editions Tracker.
Common Misuses of DSR
Using DSR rates as-is for non-Delhi projects. Apply your state's DSR multiplier (or use the state's own SOR if published). Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana have their own; UP and Bihar adopt DSR with multipliers.
Treating CP&OH as negotiable. The 15% CP&OH is fixed by CPWD methodology. Quoting at "DSR rate minus 15%" violates the rate analysis basis — you'd need to redo the entire rate buildup.
Ignoring lead/lift on remote sites. A site 80 km from the nearest material source should add ~30 km × per-km lead rate. Failing this under-prices the bid.
Using DSR for items not in DSR. Specialty items (curtain wall, custom millwork, imported finishes) need fresh rate analysis at current market rates + 15% CP&OH.
Forgetting GST. DSR rates are GST-exclusive. CPWD tender format adds GST separately. For details see GST on SOR Items.
FAQ
Where can I download the official DSR 2023 PDF?
Official source: cpwd.gov.in. We mirror the Civil Vol 1 + Vol 2 + E&M Vol 1 + Vol 2 PDFs at /sor/cpwd with cleaner SSL and direct download.
Is DSR mandatory for state government tenders?
For CPWD-administered projects, yes. State PWD projects use their own SOR; many states adopt DSR with a multiplier (Bihar, Jharkhand, parts of UP) and others publish independently (Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Gujarat, Rajasthan).
Can I use DSR rates for private projects?
Yes — DSR is public-domain and widely used as the rate analysis benchmark for private builders, architects, and consultants. Apply a regional multiplier where labour or material rates diverge significantly from Delhi.
Why are some items higher than market rates?
The 15% CP&OH is built into every rate. Plus DSR uses standardised wastage and labour productivity assumptions that may be conservative. Comparing DSR-rate to a contractor's spot quote often shows 5–12% gap.
How often does CPWD update DSR?
Major revisions every 2–3 years. Latest: 2023. Previous: 2021, 2018, 2016. Inflation patches are sometimes issued mid-cycle as "Cost Index" multipliers.
What's the difference between DSR and DAR?
DSR = Schedule of Rates (priced items ready for tender BoQ). DAR = Delhi Analysis of Rates (the underlying rate analysis showing how each rate is built). Vol 2 Appendix C is essentially a DAR subset.
Browse the Data Directly
InfraLens hosts all four DSR 2023 volumes as searchable normalised data. Item code lookup, full-text search, lead/lift application, and rate-comparison across other state SORs are coming as a separate workflow tool. For the PDFs and our state-by-state SOR aggregator, see /sor/cpwd and the /sor hub.