Admissibility of House Rent Allowance (HRA) on Non-Acceptance or Surrender of Railway Quarters — Railway Board Extends Delegation of Powers Till 2031

Admissibility of House Rent Allowance (HRA) on Non-Acceptance or Surrender of Railway Quarters — Railway Board Extends Delegation of Powers Till 2031

New Delhi: Ministry of Railways has issued RBE No. 115/2025, renewing the delegation of powers related to the admissibility of House Rent Allowance (HRA) in cases where railway employees do not accept or surrender allotted railway residential accommodation.

The latest order, issued under No. E(P&A)II/2024/HRA-5, extends the validity of this delegation of powers from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2031, thereby allowing General Managers and other competent authorities to continue sanctioning HRA under existing conditions.

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Background

The provision for granting HRA in such cases has existed since 1988, governed by a series of circulars and amendments over the years — including those issued in 1996, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2010, 2018, and 2019. The previous validity of this delegation was up to 31 March 2024.

Key Highlights of RBE No. 115/2025

The delegation of powers to sanction HRA is renewed until 31 March 2031.

Railway employees who decline or surrender residential accommodation may be eligible for HRA as per the prescribed conditions.

If any type of railway accommodation remains vacant or under-demand, it may become mandatory for eligible employees to apply for such quarters. Those who fail to do so will not be eligible for HRA.

Vacated or surplus accommodation should be re-allotted to employees from the same or other pools, especially for essential categories, as directed in the 2019 order.

The Railway Board retains the right to withdraw or modify these orders at any time during the validity period.

The order was issued with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways and signed by Manoj Kumar, Dy. Director (E(P&A)II), Railway Board.

This extension ensures continuity in the administrative mechanism for granting HRA, thereby providing clarity and convenience for railway employees across zones and production units.