| DRM full form in railway is Divisional Railway Manager. Get railway DRM salary and step-by-step guide to become DRM in Railway in this article. |
DRM full form is Divisional Railway Manager. This person is in charge of a railway division, a big part of how Indian Railways is set up. A division has different sections like engineering and operations.
The DRM makes sure everything runs well, trains are on time, staff are good, and the tracks are in good shape. It's a really important job in Indian Railways.
Usually, the DRM is someone with around 22–25 years of experience. They are picked by the Railway Board. People from different railway services such as RSE, IRAS, IRTS, etc. can become a DRM in Railways. The DRM answers to the General Manager of the zone and can make administrative and money decisions for their division. It's a big leadership role.
Before going on to detailed salary details, read UPSC Jobs List with Post, Designations and Salary in 2025
Railway DRM Salary 2025
Railway DRM Salary in 2025 is governed by 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC). The gross monthly salary of Railway DRM in 2025 falls between Rs. 2,45,000 – Rs.3,92,000 (approximate).
Component | Amount (Approx.) | Details |
Basic Pay | ₹1,44,200 – ₹2,18,200 | As per Level 14 of the 7th CPC pay matrix |
Dearness Allowance (DA) | ₹50,470 – ₹76,370 | 35% of Basic Pay (subject to periodic revision) |
House Rent Allowance (HRA) | ₹34,608 – ₹65,460 | 24%, 16%, or 8% depending on city category |
Transport Allowance (TA) | ₹7,200 – ₹15,750 | Based on location and official travel requirements |
Special Railway Allowance | ₹4,000 – ₹7,000 | Given to Group A officers in specific posts |
Other Allowances | ₹5,000 – ₹10,000 | Includes Night Duty, Training, etc. |
Gross Monthly Salary | ₹2,45,000 – ₹3,92,000 | Varies by posting city, experience, and cadre |
| As per the 7th CPC, a Railway DRM typically falls under Pay Level 14, with a basic pay starting from ₹1,44,200, and gross monthly earnings ranging from ₹2.5 to ₹3 lakh depending on location and experience. Actual salary might vary. It is best to refer to official updates and notifications to know the actual salary. |
Important Note: The above salary figures are approximate values. The actual salary per month might vary depending upon regulations, location and city. The information is compiled based on the 7th CPC pay matrix and government pay guidelines. It is best to refer to official updates and notifications to know the actual salary.
Check more: Railway Jobs After Graduation, Career Options, Eligibility, and Growth
Railway DRM In-Hand Salary Per Month
- A Railway DRM's take-home pay in 2025 comes to be around ₹1.95 lakh to ₹2.35 lakh each month. Of course, that varies on where they're stationed and their experience.
- This is after money is taken out for things like income tax and pension stuff from a total salary of ₹2.5 lakh to ₹3 lakh a month.
- DRMs are usually at Pay Level 14. On top of the salary, they also get extra money for things like dearness, house rent, and transport.
- Plus, they get perks like a place to live, a car, health benefits, and train passes, which makes the job worth even more than just the money.
The actual salary a DRM receive is influenced by the following factors:
- National Pension Scheme (NPS)
- Income tax
- Availability of government accommodation (which affects HRA)
- Posting location (Tier-I vs Tier-III cities)
Important Note: The actual in-hand salary varies depending upon various factors as mentioned above.
Besides impressive salaries, a Railway DRM also gets perks and benefits, as presented below:
Benefit Type | Details |
Official Residence | Spacious government accommodation with security and amenities |
Staff Car with Driver | DRM gets an official vehicle for daily duties and travel |
Medical Facilities | Free treatment for self and dependents in Railway hospitals |
Pension & Gratuity | Post-retirement pension and gratuity as per government norms |
LTC (Leave Travel Concession) | Travel allowance for self and family during leaves |
Telephone and Internet | Reimbursement of official communication expenses |
Domestic Help and Support Staff | Provided as part of the perks for residence and office |
Honorary Passes | Complimentary railway passes for self and family for travel across India |
Training Abroad (Optional) | Chance of foreign training or exposure visits as part of advanced leadership |
Railway DRM Salary Slip
Railway DRM Salary Slip is an important document that highlights the salary, allowances, extra additions, and deductions. It gives a clear idea about basic pay, various allowances that make the gross salary and net salary in-hand per month. You also get detailed information on HRA, DA percentage that make up your salary.
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Railway DRM Job Profile
The Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) is like the boss of a railway division.
- What They Do: The DRM is in charge of everything—how trains run, fixing stuff, business stuff, people who work there, and safety. They're the main decision-maker for the entire division.
- Dealing with Money Matters: They get to say yes to projects, decide how money is spent, and approve spending for keeping things running, taking care of employees, and fixing things fast when something breaks.
- Keeping Things Moving: DRMs make sure trains run on time and safely. They handle accidents and try to move freight and passengers as efficiently as possible.
- Disciplinarian: They can discipline employees, move them to other jobs, and make sure everyone follows the rules. They are responsible for a lot of workers.
- When Things Go Wrong: If there's an accident, a natural disaster, or any big problem, the DRM steps up to organize rescue efforts, help people out , and get the trains back on track ASAP.
How to Become DRM in Indian Railways?
You must note that one cannot become a DRM in Indian Railways directly. Rather, you can be promoted to this post as it’s a promotional/rotational post for senior Group A officers of Indian Railways.
Follow the steps below to become DRM in Indian Railways:
1.Crack the UPSC Civil Services exam or Engineering Services Exam.
After that, you need to join one of the 8 Group A services of Indian Railways:
- IRTS
- IRAS
- IRSE
- IRSME
- IRSEE
- IRSSE
- IRPS
2. Get training at NAIR, Vadodara. Officers get special training in how railways work and how to manage them.
3. Work in Different Jobs for 20–25 Years. Officers get experience in different jobs all over India.
4. Get Approved as DRM by the Railway Board. The Board picks people based on how long they've worked, how well they do their jobs, and the rules.
5. Get Picked as DRM in One of Over 70 Divisions. They usually do this job for 3 years, but it can be longer if they're doing a good job.
Note: Only Group A officers with lots of experience can become DRM — it's a really responsible and important job in Indian Railways for people who are in the middle of their career.
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