A variable nozzle mechanism for a turbocharger, comprising: a nozzle mount having an annular shape; a plurality of nozzle vanes supported rotatably at a plurality of respective locations along a circumferential direction of the nozzle mount; and a drive ring (46, 46A, 46B, 46C, 56A, 56B, 60, 100) disposed rotatably with respect to the nozzle mount, the drive ring (46, 46A, 46B, 46C, 56A, 56B, 60, 100) being configured to transmit a driving force to the nozzle vanes so that a vane angle of the nozzle vanes is variable and to rotate the nozzle vanes, wherein the drive ring (46, 46A, 46B, 46C, 56A, 56B, 60, 100) includes: a plurality of bottom portions (56a, 60a) disposed at a distance from one another in the circumferential direction; and a plurality of top portions (56b, 60b) disposed between the plurality of bottom portions (56a, 60a) being adjacent in the circumferential direction, the plurality of top portions (56b, 60b) having a greater distance from the nozzle mount than the plurality of bottom portions (56a, 60a) in a direction along a center axis of the drive ring (46, 46A, 46B, 46C, 56A, 56B, 60, 100), wherein each of the plurality of bottom portions (56a, 60a) and each of the plurality of top portions (56b, 60b) are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction, wherein a stepped portion is formed between each of the plurality of bottom portions (56a, 60a) and each of the plurality of top portions, and wherein a pair of the stepped portions is positioned on both sides of each of the plurality of top portions characterised in that an odd number of said pairs stepped portions is formed in the circumferential direction, or the pairs of stepped portions are disposed at an irregular pitch in the circumferential direction. a nozzle mount having an annular shape; a plurality of nozzle vanes supported rotatably at a plurality of respective locations along a circumferential direction of the nozzle mount; and a drive ring (46, 46A, 46B, 46C, 56A, 56B, 60, 100) disposed rotatably with respect to the nozzle mount, the drive ring (46, 46A, 46B, 46C, 56A, 56B, 60, 100) being configured to transmit a driving force to the nozzle vanes so that a vane angle of the nozzle vanes is variable and to rotate the nozzle vanes, wherein the drive ring (46, 46A, 46B, 46C, 56A, 56B, 60, 100) includes: a plurality of bottom portions (56a, 60a) disposed at a distance from one another in the circumferential direction; and a plurality of top portions (56b, 60b) disposed between the plurality of bottom portions (56a, 60a) being adjacent in the circumferential direction, the plurality of top portions (56b, 60b) having a greater distance from the nozzle mount than the plurality of bottom portions (56a, 60a) in a direction along a center axis of the drive ring (46, 46A, 46B, 46C, 56A, 56B, 60, 100), wherein each of the plurality of bottom portions (56a, 60a) and each of the plurality of top portions (56b, 60b) are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction, wherein a stepped portion is formed between each of the plurality of bottom portions (56a, 60a) and each of the plurality of top portions, and wherein a pair of the stepped portions is positioned on both sides of each of the plurality of top portions characterised in that an odd number of said pairs stepped portions is formed in the circumferential direction, or the pairs of stepped portions are disposed at an irregular pitch in the circumferential direction. a plurality of bottom portions (56a, 60a) disposed at a distance from one another in the circumferential direction; and a plurality of top portions (56b, 60b) disposed between the plurality of bottom portions (56a, 60a) being adjacent in the circumferential direction, the plurality of top portions (56b, 60b) having a greater distance from the nozzle mount than the plurality of bottom portions (56a, 60a) in a direction along a center axis of the drive ring (46, 46A, 46B, 46C, 56A, 56B, 60, 100), wherein each of the plurality of bottom portions (56a, 60a) and each of the plurality of top portions (56b, 60b) are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction, wherein a stepped portion is formed between each of the plurality of bottom portions (56a, 60a) and each of the plurality of top portions, and wherein a pair of the stepped portions is positioned on both sides of each of the plurality of top portions characterised in that an odd number of said pairs stepped portions is formed in the circumferential direction, or the pairs of stepped portions are disposed at an irregular pitch in the circumferential direction.