New School Session 2025-26: Complete Book Checklist for Parents

The school bag has been out of the cupboard since last week. There is a book list on the kitchen counter – one side in print, the other in a WhatsApp forward from the class parent group. And somewhere between the two, a quiet but persistent question: where do I even start?

Every April, this scene plays out in households across India. The CBSE academic year runs from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026 for most affiliated schools in India and abroad. ICSE and most state boards follow nearly the same rhythm. That means right now is when the buying window opens, and it also means better availability, less scrambling, and real money saved for parents who move early.

This is not a generic shopping guide. It is a practical, board-wise checklist built for Indian parents navigating the 2025-26 session specifically – covering what has changed, what can be carried forward, what to check before spending a rupee, and how to avoid the four or five mistakes that make this process messier than it needs to be.

Before You Open the Book List: Five Things Worth Knowing

The book list from school is the starting point, not the complete picture. Before you buy anything, take five minutes to understand these:

1. The academic year just started – you have some time, but not unlimited time

Most CBSE schools begin the session in the first week of April. Good condition used books, in particular, get picked up fast because demand spikes in April-May and supply is finite. If you are planning to source second-hand books online for any class, start looking now rather than waiting until the session is three weeks in.

2. NCERT has updated editions for specific classes this year

For session 2025-26, Classes 4, 5, 7, and 8 have new or revised NCERT editions. If you have older children and are considering passing books down to a younger sibling in any of these classes, that plan needs a rethink. The content might have changed.

3. Not every book on the list is equally important

Schools issue comprehensive prescribed lists, but teachers in practice often use only certain reference books actively in class. NCERT textbooks are always required. Private publisher guides, workbooks, and supplementary readers vary in how much they are actually used. The first month of class clarifies this; buy NCERT first, confirm reference titles later.

4. You are free to buy from anywhere

Your school cannot require you to purchase books from its own vendor or any specific shop. CBSE guidelines and state education department circulars have consistently upheld this. An online platform, a local bookstore, a second-hand seller – all are valid. This matters because school-prescribed vendors often mark up prices significantly.

5. Check the edition year every time

Books that look identical on the outside can carry different content inside. For 2025-26, always verify the edition before purchasing, whether new or used.

Also Read: The Ultimate Guide to Used Textbooks

Checklist: Board by Board, Stage by Stage

CBSE Schools

Pre-Primary (Nursery, LKG, UKG)

There are no mandated NCERT books at this stage. Most CBSE pre-primary sections follow publisher-specific activity books chosen by the school.

1. Collect the school’s prescribed list for your child’s specific level
2. Do not buy anything before receiving the official list – pre-primary book titles vary school by school
3. Activity books, colouring books, and introduction readers are typically included; avoid buying any of these in advance

Primary Stage – Classes 1 to 5

Class	Verify Before Buying
Class 1	Existing 2024-25 editions are still valid
Class 2	Existing 2024-25 editions are still valid
Class 3	English is now titled Poorvi – do not buy the old Marigold Part 3
Class 4	New 2025-26 editions – do not carry forward from last year
Class 5	New 2025-26 editions – do not carry forward from last year

1. Collect school book list and cross-reference with NCERT titles for your class
2. Check that Class 4 and Class 5 books are the updated 2025-26 editions
3. Separate NCERT titles (which are mandatory) from private publisher workbooks (buy after confirming with school)
4. Buy private publisher activity books and grammar workbooks only if explicitly listed by your school

Middle Stage – Classes 6 to 8

This is the group with the most changes this session.

Class	What Is New for 2025-26
Class 6	Already updated in 2024 – Curiosity (Science), Exploring Society (Social Science). Do not buy old editions.
Class 7	New 2025-26 Social Science – Exploring Society: India and Beyond Vol. I. Old History/Geography/Civics books are now outdated.
Class 8	New 2025-26 Social Science – Exploring Society: India and Beyond Vol. II. Other subjects largely carry forward.

1. For Class 6: Confirm your books carry the Curiosity and Exploring Society titles, not the older pre-2024 versions
2. For Class 7: Buy the new Exploring Society Social Science book; do not reuse older editions
3. For Class 8: Same – new integrated Social Science book required
4. English, Hindi, Maths, and Science for Classes 7 and 8 largely carry forward from 2024-25; verify before discarding
5. Sanskrit or third language books – check with school as titles can vary
6. Reference books for Maths and Science at this stage are optional unless specifically prescribed

Secondary Stage – Classes 9 and 10

Good news for Class 9 and 10 families: the NCERT books for both classes remain unchanged for session 2025-26. This is the group where second-hand books make the most sense – the content is the same as last session, and well-kept copies are perfectly valid.

1. NCERT textbooks for both classes carry forward – if buying second-hand, verify content matches current syllabus
2. For Class 10: keep in mind the new two-exam system. Board Exam 1 is in February 2026 (mandatory); Exam 2 in May 2026 (optional improvement). Same books, two opportunities.
3. Buy NCERT Science, Maths, Social Science, English, and Hindi first
4. Reference books (R.D. Sharma, S. Chand, Oswaal) are recommended but not mandatory – buy after the first fortnight of class
5. Sample papers and question banks become relevant from October onwards; no need to purchase now
6. Class 10 students targeting 90%+ should eventually add NCERT Exemplar for Science and Maths

Senior Secondary – Classes 11 and 12

The stream splits here, and the book list gets meaningfully heavier – especially for Science students.

For all streams:

1. Confirm your stream selection before purchasing any books (Science / Commerce / Humanities)
2. NCERT books for all three streams are unchanged for 2025-26
3. Buy stream-specific NCERT titles first; hold off on reference books until teachers indicate which ones are used in class

Science stream (Classes 11 and 12):

1. Physics Part I and II – NCERT
2. Chemistry Part I and II – NCERT
3. Biology (Class 11 and 12) – NCERT, especially crucial for NEET aspirants
4. Mathematics – NCERT
5. Reference books: H.C. Verma (Physics), NCERT Exemplar (Maths and Science), P. Bahadur or J.D. Lee (Chemistry) – buy these after the first month
6. JEE/NEET aspirants: do not rush into coaching-prescribed reference books before solidifying NCERT

Commerce stream (Classes 11 and 12):

1. Accountancy Parts I and II – NCERT
2. Business Studies Parts I and II – NCERT
3. Economics (Microeconomics + Macroeconomics) – NCERT
4. T.S. Grewal’s Accountancy is widely used alongside NCERT – check if your school prescribes it specifically
5. Informatics Practices or Applied Mathematics (if opted) – confirm title with school

Humanities stream (Classes 11 and 12):

1. History, Political Science, Geography, Sociology, Psychology – NCERT titles for your specific subjects
2. Economics if opted – same NCERT titles as Commerce stream
3. Reference books at this stage are minimal; NCERT + good notes suffices for most board preparation

Browse Old School Books Available Here

ICSE Schools

ICSE Class 10 board exams for session 2025-26 will be conducted from 17 February 2026 to 30 March 2026. ISC Class 12 board exams run from 12 February 2026 to 6 April 2026. 

ICSE does not follow a single publisher for all subjects – schools choose from CISCE-approved publishers. This makes the school’s prescribed list especially important; there is no universal ICSE equivalent of ‘just buy NCERT’.

1. Obtain the school’s official subject-wise booklist before buying anything
2. Verify publishers for each subject – common ICSE publishers include Evergreen, Frank Brothers, Selina, S. Chand, and Orient BlackSwan
3. For Class 10: Selina Concise series is widely used for Maths and Science; Together With ICSE for question practice
4. For Class 12 (ISC): confirm stream (Science/Commerce/Humanities) and buy accordingly
5. ICSE English has a specific literature component – your school will prescribe the exact reader and drama/poetry titles
6. Second language and third language books vary by school – always confirm before buying

State Board Schools (UP Board, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, MP Board, and Others)

State boards vary significantly in how closely they follow NCERT. UP Board, Bihar Board, MP Board, Gujarat Board, and several others use NCERT as the primary text. Maharashtra follows its own state board textbooks published by Balbharati.

1. Confirm whether your state board prescribes NCERT or state-specific textbooks for each subject
2. For UP Board specifically: NCERT is widely followed, particularly for Science and Mathematics from Classes 9 to 12
3. Hindi medium books are the norm for most state board students – confirm medium before buying
4. State board students in Classes 9 to 12 often use a mix of NCERT and state-published texts – collect the full list from school

The Edition Problem and How to Avoid It

Every year, a proportion of parents end up mid-session with a book that does not match the teacher’s class material. The reason is almost always the same: the wrong edition was purchased, often because it looked identical to the right one.

Here is a simple check to run on every book before it enters your child’s bag:

1. Open the first few pages. The copyright page or the title verso page will show the publication year and edition number. For 2025-26, books should read 2025 or “First Edition 2025” or “Revised Edition 2025-26.”
2. For updated NCERT titles, check the title itself. If you are buying Class 6 Science and the book is not titled Curiosity, it is an old edition. If you are buying Class 7 Social Science and it does not say Exploring Society, it is outdated.
3. When buying second-hand, ask the seller directly. A good-faith seller will tell you the year on the copyright page. For classes where editions are stable (Classes 9 to 12), this is rarely an issue. For Classes 4 to 8, it requires verification.
4. Do not rely on the cover alone. NCERT republishes books annually with minor print changes but consistent covers across editions. The content page is your reference.

Recommended Read: Why Are Old School Textbooks Still Valuable Today?

What Can You Actually Skip?

The book list from school can feel exhaustive. Some of it is. But not every item deserves equal attention or immediate spend.

Buy immediately:

• All NCERT textbooks listed for your child’s class
• Lab manuals (Classes 9 to 12 Science)
• Any workbook or activity book that teachers will begin using in the first week

Buy after the first fortnight:

• Reference books and guides (confirm which ones teachers actually use)
• Supplementary readers beyond what NCERT prescribes

Buy closer to exam season (October onwards):

• Sample question papers
• Question banks and previous year papers
• NCERT Exemplar (unless your child is a NEET/JEE aspirant, in which case start earlier)

Books to question before buying at all:

• Any title marked “optional” on the list
• General knowledge books not tied to any subject examination
• Workbooks that duplicate NCERT exercise content with no additional value

The Used-Book Opportunity This Session

Every family that has a child moving up a class – from 9 to 10, from 10 to 11, from 7 to 8 – is sitting on a set of books that another family needs. and vice versa – every family preparing to buy for the new session is looking for exactly those books.

This is what BookMandee is built for.

The platform connects parents/students who have books they no longer need with those who are actively looking. If your child has just moved up from Class 9 to Class 10, the Science, Maths, Social Science, and English NCERT books they used this year are unchanged for 2025-26 – meaning another Class 9 student can use them without any content gap. You list them at the price you decide. A buyer finds your listing, connects with you, and you both agree on how to exchange – meet nearby, arrange a handoff, whatever works for both of you.

The same applies to ICSE books, state board texts, and reference books that are in good condition and no longer needed.

As a buyer:

The most cost-effective approach for Classes 9 to 12 this session is to source NCERT books second-hand where possible – editions are stable, and a well-kept copy is functionally identical to a new one. Use the savings for reference books and sample papers, where fresh editions with the current year’s question patterns matter more.

As a seller

April and May are peak seasons. Parents are actively looking right now. If you are done with the previous year’s books and your child is ready for the next class, listing them on BookMandee now means they get found while demand is highest.

[Browse used school books on BookMandee]  |  [List your old books]

A Realistic Budget Estimate for Session 2025-26

Knowing what to expect helps you plan – and helps you push back if a school vendor’s quote seems inflated.

Class / Stage	NCERT Books Only	Typical Total Including School-Prescribed Extras
Classes 1 to 3	₹200 – ₹350	₹1,500 – ₹3,000
Classes 4 to 5	₹300 – ₹500	₹2,500 – ₹4,500
Classes 6 to 8	₹500 – ₹800	₹4,000 – ₹6,500
Classes 9 to 10	₹700 – ₹1,000	₹5,000 – ₹8,000
Class 11 Science	₹600 – ₹900	₹7,000 – ₹12,000
Class 11 Commerce	₹400 – ₹700	₹4,500 – ₹7,000
Class 12 (all streams)	Similar to Class 11	Similar to Class 11

The difference between the NCERT-only column and the total column is almost entirely accounted for by private publisher reference books, guides, and activity books. Despite government norms, the purchase of books and uniforms continues to drain parents’ finances, with parents of students from Classes 4 to 8 spending between ₹7,000 and ₹9,000 depending on the school. 

The levers you have: sequence your purchases (NCERT first, references after class confirms), source stable-edition books second-hand through BookMandee, and question the optional items on your school’s list before buying them.

Frequently Asked Questions

The school sent two book lists – one for NCERT and one for other books. Do I need both?

The NCERT list is mandatory – all the titles on it are required. The second list typically contains private publisher workbooks, guides, and supplementary readers. Of these, some will be actively used in class; others are recommendations. Wait for the first two weeks of school before buying everything on the second list; teachers usually indicate what they actually plan to use.

My child is in Class 8 this year. Can they use their Class 7 Social Science book? 

This is one of the most common errors this session. Class 7 now uses a newly structured Exploring Society textbook, and Class 8 has its own updated volume. They are different books entirely, not a continuation of the old format.

My child switched from a state board school to CBSE this year. What does that mean for books? 

It means buying a largely fresh set of NCERT textbooks for their new class. State board textbooks are not interchangeable with NCERT. Some concepts will overlap; the books themselves will not. Prioritise NCERT titles for the new class.

When should I buy sample papers and question banks for Class 10? 

Not in April. These are exam-preparation tools, most useful from October–November onwards when syllabi are substantially covered. Buying them now is an unnecessary spend – and the 2025-26 editions, including board-specific question patterns, are more relevant once the year’s syllabus adjustments are published.

A senior’s books are in perfect condition. Is it worth sourcing second-hand for Class 11?

Absolutely, especially for NCERT titles, which are unchanged for 2025-26 across Classes 11 and 12. A well-kept NCERT Biology or Physics from last session is word-for-word the same as a new one. Reference books are more nuanced – an older edition of H.C. Verma is essentially the same book, but sample paper collections from 2024-25 will have outdated question sets.

My child’s school is asking us to buy books from their own shop. Are we obligated?

Schools affiliated with CBSE and most state boards are not permitted to compel parents to purchase from a specific vendor. You are free to buy from any source. For more detail on your rights in this regard, read our guide: [Can Schools Force You to Buy Books from Their Vendor?]

Related reads:

• CBSE School Books – Complete Guide by Class
• How to Save Money on School Books in India

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