Quick Answer: Essential books for Class 10 board exams include NCERT textbooks (mandatory for CBSE), reference guides (RD Sharma for Maths, Lakhmir Singh for Science), sample paper collections (Oswaal, Arihant, etc.), and previous years’ solved papers.
You can buy new NCERTs for latest editions or save 40-60% by purchasing used books, guides, and practice materials on BookMandee where students who’ve completed Class 10 sell their well-maintained study materials.
Total new cost: ₹3,500-5,000.
Total used cost: ₹1,500-2,500.
Class 10 boards are the first major academic milestone. The pressure is real. The results matter. And the question every student and parent faces is: which books will actually help?
Walk into any bookstore and you’ll be overwhelmed. Dozens of publishers. Hundreds of guides. Every book claims to be essential or board-topper approved. Sales staff push the most expensive options. You leave with ₹5,000 worth of books, wondering if you bought the right ones or just what the store needed to clear from inventory.
Meanwhile, lakhs of students who completed Class 10 last year have these exact books sitting on their shelves that helped them score well, books in good condition, books they no longer need. Those books could be yours for half the price.
This guide does two things:
- First, it identifies the genuinely essential books for Class 10 boards across subjects and boards.
- Second, it shows you how to get them affordably – whether buying new where it matters or finding quality used copies on BookMandee where it doesn’t.
Understanding Which Class 10th Books You Actually Need
Before buying anything, understand the three categories of Class 10 books.
Category 1: Mandatory Textbooks (NCERT for CBSE)
What they are:
Official board-prescribed textbooks. For CBSE, these are NCERT books. These are essential because they include:
- Questions directly asked from textbook content
- Board examiners use textbooks as reference
- Concepts explained at appropriate level
- Examples and exercises align with exam pattern
Purchase recommendation: Buy new books (₹150-250 per book)
Why new?
- Latest editions reflect current syllabus
- You’ll reference these extensively, worth the small investment
- Total cost for all subjects: ₹1,200-1,500
Exception: If you find used NCERT books from the current or last year on BookMandee in excellent condition (unmarked, latest edition), save ₹500-700 by buying those instead.
Category 2: Reference Guides and Solutions
What they are:
Subject-specific guides offering additional practice, detailed solutions, concept clarity. They are useful as they have:
- More practice problems than textbooks provide
- Step-by-step solutions for complex problems
- Alternative explanations for difficult concepts
- Extra examples for better understanding
Purchase recommendation: Buy used books (save 40-60%)
Why used class 10 books works:
- Content remains consistent across years
- Solutions to problems don’t change
- Physical condition matters less (you’re using them for content, not display)
- Students from previous years used these successfully
Where to find: BookMandee used books section, students who cleared Class 10 sell complete sets regularly
Category 3: Practice and Exam Preparation Books
What they are:
Sample papers, previous years’ question papers, chapter-wise tests, quick revision materials.
Why essential:
- Familiarizes you with exam pattern and question types
- Timed practice improves speed and accuracy
- Identifies weak areas needing more study
- Reduces exam anxiety through repeated exposure
Purchase recommendation: Mix of new and used
New: Current year sample papers and latest pattern books (₹200-400 total)
Used: Previous years’ question papers and general practice books (save ₹300-500)
Strategy: Buy this year’s sample papers and previous 5-10 years’ solved papers used as questions repeat, patterns emerge, massive practice value at fraction of cost.
Subject-Wise Best Books for CBSE Class 10
Specific recommendations by subject, with new vs. used guidance.
Mathematics
Tier 1 – Essential (Get these first):
NCERT Mathematics Textbook
Status: Mandatory
Buy: New (₹180-220)
Why: Board questions directly from here. Master this first.
RD Sharma Class 10 Mathematics
Status: Highly recommended
Buy: Used on BookMandee (₹250-350, saves ₹400-500 vs. new ₹750)
Why: Comprehensive problem sets, detailed solutions, covers every NCERT topic with 3x more practice. Standard reference for CBSE Maths students.
RS Aggarwal Class 10 Mathematics (Alternative to RD Sharma)
Status: Optional (choose RD Sharma OR RS Aggarwal, not both)
Buy: Used (₹200-300 on BookMandee)
Why: Similar to RD Sharma but slightly easier progression. Good if RD Sharma feels overwhelming.
Tier 2 – Exam Practice:
Oswaal CBSE Sample Question Papers Class 10 Maths (Current Year)
Buy: New (₹180-220)
Why: Latest exam pattern, current year questions, marking scheme included.
Previous Years’ Solved Papers (Last 10 Years)
Buy: Used on BookMandee (₹100-150, saves ₹150-200)
Why: Questions repeat types. Solving 10 years = comprehensive practice at minimal cost.
Budget breakdown:
- New: NCERT (₹200) + Oswaal (₹200) = ₹400
- Used: RD Sharma (₹300) + Previous Years (₹125) = ₹425
- Total: ₹825 (vs. ₹1,500+ if all new)
Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
Tier 1 – Essential:
NCERT Science Textbook
Status: Mandatory
Buy: New (₹200-240)
Why: All theory questions from this. Diagrams, experiments, examples all board-relevant.
Lakhmir Singh Science Class 10 (Physics, Chemistry, Biology combined or separate)
Status: Highly recommended
Buy: Used on BookMandee (₹300-400 for complete set, saves ₹400-600)
Why: Best reference for Science. Extra questions, concept clarity, topic-wise practice. Trusted by toppers.
Alternative: S Chand Science or Pradeep’s Science (if you find better used deals)
Tier 2 – Exam Practice:
Oswaal Sample Papers Science (Current Year)
Buy: New (₹180-220)
Previous Years’ Solved Papers
Buy: Used (₹100-150 on BookMandee)
Budget breakdown:
- New: NCERT (₹220) + Oswaal (₹200) = ₹420
- Used: Lakhmir Singh (₹350) + Previous Years (₹125) = ₹475
- Total: ₹895 (vs. ₹1,600+ all new)
Social Science (History, Geography, Civics, Economics)
Tier 1 – Essential:
NCERT Social Science Textbooks (4 books: India and Contemporary World-II, Contemporary India-II, Democratic Politics-II, Understanding Economic Development)
Status: Mandatory
Buy: New (₹150-200 each = ₹600-800 total)
Why: Questions asked directly from the textbook. Learn these thoroughly.
VK Global or Evergreen Social Science Guide
Status: Recommended for extra questions
Buy: Used on BookMandee (₹200-300, saves ₹300-400)
Why: Chapter summaries, extra questions, map practice, value-based questions.
Tier 2 – Exam Practice:
Oswaal Sample Papers Social Science (Current Year)
Buy: New (₹180-220)
Previous Years’ Question Papers
Buy: Used (₹100-150 on BookMandee)
Budget breakdown:
- New: NCERT 4 books (₹700) + Oswaal (₹200) = ₹900
- Used: Guide (₹250) + Previous Years (₹125) = ₹375
- Total: ₹1,275 (vs. ₹2,000+ all new)
English (Language & Literature)
Tier 1 – Essential:
NCERT First Flight (Literature) + Footprints Without Feet (Supplementary)
Status: Mandatory
Buy: New (₹150-180 each = ₹300-360 total)
Why: Prose, poetry, chapters all exam-relevant.
English Grammar Book (Wren & Martin or similar)
Status: Recommended
Buy: Used on BookMandee (₹150-250, saves ₹200-300)
Why: Grammar, editing, sentence formation practice. Content doesn’t change year to year.
Tier 2 – Writing Practice:
Sample Papers with Writing Practice
Buy: New (₹150-200)
Previous Years’ Solved Papers
Buy: Used (₹80-120 on BookMandee)
Budget breakdown:
- New: NCERT 2 books (₹330) + Samples (₹175) = ₹505
- Used: Grammar (₹200) + Previous Years (₹100) = ₹300
- Total: ₹805 (vs. ₹1,200+ all new)
Hindi / Sanskrit / Regional Language (Second Language)
Tier 1 – Essential:
NCERT Language Textbooks
Status: Mandatory
Buy: New (₹150-200 each)
Grammar and Composition Guide
Status: Recommended
Buy: Used on BookMandee (₹120-200)
Tier 2 – Practice:
Sample Papers
Buy: New (₹140-180)
Previous Years’ Papers
Buy: Used (₹80-120 on BookMandee)
Budget breakdown per language:
- New: NCERT (₹175) + Samples (₹160) = ₹335
- Used: Grammar (₹160) + Previous Years (₹100) = ₹260
- Total: ₹595 (vs. ₹900+ all new)
Also Read: Steps to Buy Second-Hand Textbooks Online Without Middlemen
Complete Class 10 Book Budget: New vs. Used Comparison (Estimate)
All subjects (Maths, Science, Social Science, English, Hindi):
All New Books Scenario:
- NCERT Textbooks (8 books): ₹1,600
- Reference Guides (5 subjects): ₹2,200
- Sample Papers (5 subjects): ₹1,000
- Previous Years’ Papers: ₹600
- Total: ₹5,400
Strategic Mix (New where needed, Used from BookMandee)
- NCERT New (8 books): ₹1,600
- Reference Guides Used: ₹1,300 (save ₹900)
- Sample Papers New (current year): ₹1,000
- Previous Years’ Papers Used: ₹550 (save ₹50)
- Total: ₹4,450 (saves ₹950)
Maximum Savings (Used wherever possible)
- NCERT Used (excellent condition, current edition): ₹1,100 (save ₹500)
- Reference Guides Used: ₹1,300 (save ₹900)
- Sample Papers Mix (some current, some previous year): ₹700 (save ₹300)
- Previous Years’ Papers Used: ₹550 (save ₹50)
- Total: ₹3,650 (saves ₹1,750)
Key insight: By using BookMandee to buy used books, you can cut costs by ₹950-1,750 (18-32%) without compromising preparation quality.
State Board Specific Recommendations
While CBSE is most common, many students follow state boards. Core principles remain the same.
Maharashtra State Board (SSC)
Essential Books:
- State Board prescribed textbooks (₹1,200-1,500 new)
- Navneet Digest/Guide (₹300-400 used on BookMandee)
- Target Publications (₹250-350 used)
- Previous years’ question papers (₹150-200 used)
Where to find used: Search ‘SSC books’ on BookMandee
Tamil Nadu State Board
Essential Books:
- Samacheer Kalvi Textbooks (₹1,000-1,400 new)
- Sura’s Guide (₹300-450 used on BookMandee)
- Question banks (₹200-300 used)
Where to find used: Search ‘10th books’ or ‘Samacheer Kalvi’ on BookMandee
Karnataka State Board (SSLC)
Essential Books:
- Karnataka Textbook Society books (₹1,100-1,500 new)
- Oswaal Karnataka guides (₹400-600 used on BookMandee)
- Model question papers (₹150-250 used)
UP Board
Essential Books:
- UP Board prescribed Hindi medium textbooks (₹1,300-1,700 new)
- Giri/Arihant guides (₹350-500 used on BookMandee)
Strategy for all state boards: Buy new textbooks (ensure latest syllabus). Buy used guides, solved papers, and practice materials (content remains consistent).
ICSE Class 10 Book Recommendations
ICSE requires different books than CBSE. Here’s what works.
Essential Books:
Textbooks:
- Concise Physics, Chemistry, Biology (Selina Publishers) – New (₹300-400 each)
- Merchant & Frank Geography – New (₹350-400)
- Total History & Civics (Goyal Bros) – New (₹400-450)
Reference and Practice:
- Evergreen ICSE Science (₹300-400 used on BookMandee, saves ₹300)
- ML Aggarwal Mathematics (₹400-500 used, saves ₹400)
- Oswaal ICSE Sample Papers (₹900-1,100 for 5 subjects, buy new for current year)
Budget:
- New textbooks: ₹2,500-3,000
- Used reference: ₹700-900 (saves ₹700-900)
- New sample papers: ₹1,000
- Total: ₹4,200-4,900 (vs. ₹5,500-6,500 all new)
How to Find and Buy Class 10 Books on BookMandee
Here are specific search and buying strategies for board exam materials:
Search Strategy
Step 1: Use specific search terms
“Class 10 CBSE” or “Class 10 Maths RD Sharma” or “ICSE Class 10”
Step 2: Filter by category
Navigate to: School/Academic Books → Subject
Step 3: Check edition year
For textbooks: Verify its current edition (2024-25 academic year)
For reference books: 2022-2024 editions work fine (content stable)
Step 4: Assess condition
Target: Good to Very Good condition
Check for: Unmarked practice problems, intact pages, legible text
Step 5: Compare prices
2-3 listings to ensure competitive pricing
What to Look for in Listings/Book-Ads
Good indicators:
- Edition year mentioned explicitly
- Condition honestly described (like – light pencil marks in 3 chapters)
- Seller mentions they cleared boards (like – Used for boards 2024, scored 95%)
- Complete sets available (save on shipping)
Red flags:
- No edition information
- Vague condition descriptions
- Very old editions (2018 or earlier for books where syllabus changed)
- Heavy damage or missing pages
Recommended Read: How to Buy Used Books Online
Building Complete Subject Sets on BookMandee
Smart bundling saves money and effort.
Strategy 1: Buy from Students Who Just Completed Boards
Search for: ‘Class 10 complete set’
What you get:
- All reference books together
- Consistent condition across set
- Often includes bonus materials (notes, shortcuts, formula sheets)
- One transaction, one shipping cost
Example bundle:
“Class 10 Complete CBSE Set – RD Sharma Maths, Lakhmir Singh Science, VK Social, Grammar Guide, Previous 5 Years Papers – ₹1,200 (retail ₹2,800+)”
Savings: ₹1,600+
Strategy 2: Subject-Specific Bundles
Search for: Class 10 Maths complete or Class 10 Science bundle
Advantage: Get everything for one subject (textbook + reference + practice) in single purchase.
Strategy 3: Build Your Own Set
Process:
- List all books you need
- Search each on BookMandee
- Buy from 2-3 sellers (minimize shipping transactions)
- Prioritize sellers with multiple books you need
Timing Your Purchase for Best Deals
Class 10 books have seasonal pricing patterns.
Best Time to Buy: February-April
Why: Students just completed boards. They’re selling books they no longer need.
Supply: Highest
Prices: Most competitive (₹50-100 less than other months)
Selection: Widest variety available
Action: If your child is in Class 9 finishing up, start buying Class 10 materials in March-April. Save 20-30% vs. buying in June-July.
Still Good: May-July
Why: Pre-academic year. Still good supply.
Prices: Moderate (near average)
Advantage: Time to find specific editions you want.
Avoid if Possible: August-October
Why: Academic year started. Demand high, supply lower.
Prices: Highest (late buyers paying premium)
Reality: If you’re starting late, you’ll pay more. Still cheaper than new, but not optimal.
You May Like to Read: How to Get the Best Deal When Buying Used Books
Quality Assurance: Ensuring Used Books Work for Boards
Not all used books are equal. Here’s how to ensure quality.
Must Read: How to Choose Between Selling, Donating, or Recycling Books
Checklist Before Buying Class 10 Books
✅ Edition verification: Matches current syllabus year
✅ Completeness: All pages present (flip through photos)
✅ Practice problems: Unmarked or only lightly marked in pencil
✅ Legibility: Text clear, not faded or water-damaged
✅ Binding: Intact, pages won’t fall out with use
✅ No missing sections: Check for torn-out pages or chapters
Condition Issues in Class 10 Books
Acceptable:
- Yellowed pages (common, doesn’t affect reading)
- Light cover wear
- Previous owner’s name inside front cover
- Light pencil marks in theory sections (shows someone studied from it)
- Slight spine creasing
Not Acceptable:
- Missing pages
- Water damage making text illegible
- Answers filled into practice problems (defeats purpose)
- Mold or musty smell
- Binding broken (pages falling out)
Questions to Ask Sellers
- “Which edition is this? Can you share a photo of the copyright page?”
- “Are the practice problems unmarked?”
- “Any pages missing or damaged?”
- “Did you use this for boards? What did you score?” (optional but informative)
Reputable sellers answer promptly with additional photos if requested.
Common Mistakes Parents and Students Make
Avoid these pitfalls.
Mistake 1: Buying Too Many Books
Problem: 15 reference books, most never opened. Confusion over which to follow.
Solution: Stick to recommended essentials. One good reference guide per subject is sufficient.
Mistake 2: Buying Outdated Editions to Save Money
Problem: 2019 edition when syllabus changed in 2022. Content doesn’t match exams.
Solution: Verify edition year always. Check what you’re buying carefully.
Mistake 3: Ignoring NCERT Textbooks
Problem: Buying expensive guides but not studying prescribed textbooks.
Solution: NCERT first, always. Guides are supplements, not replacements.
Mistake 4: Buying Only New (Overspending) or Only Used (Wrong Editions)
Problem: All new wastes ₹1,500-2,000. All used risks outdated materials.
Solution: Strategic mix as outlined in this guide.
Mistake 5: Procrastinating Book Purchase
Problem: Starting in September with incomplete materials.
Solution: Acquire all books by June. Early preparation reduces stress.
FAQs
Should I buy new or used NCERT textbooks?
New (₹1,200-1,500 for all subjects) if you can afford. If the budget is very tight, used class 10 books are acceptable but verify it’s the latest edition. NCERT changes editions occasionally, and you need current versions.
Can I prepare for boards with only NCERT textbooks and no reference guides?
Yes, technically possible for average scores (65-75%). For 80-90%+, reference guides provide additional practice that significantly helps.
Which is better: RD Sharma or RS Aggarwal for Maths?
Both excellent. RD Sharma is slightly more comprehensive (better for 90%+ targets). RS Aggarwal is slightly easier to follow. Choose one based on your comfort. Buy used to try both if uncertain.
Are previous years’ question papers necessary?
Highly recommended. They familiarize you with exam patterns, question types, time management, and frequently asked topics. Buy used to save money.
How do I know if used books on BookMandee are the latest editions?
Verify publication year and ask the seller directly. Cross-reference with official NCERT/publisher websites.
What if I buy used books and they arrive in worse condition than described?
Sellers on BookMandee describe honestly. If misrepresented, contact the seller for resolution and check seller feedback before buying.
Can I sell my Class 10 books on BookMandee after boards?
Absolutely! List them in February-April when the next batch is buying. Recover ₹1,500-2,500 from books you no longer need.
Should I buy sample papers new or used?
Current year sample papers (latest exam pattern). Previous years’ papers used (patterns are similar, content remains valid).
Quick Action Plan: Acquiring Class 10 Books
June-July (Optimal timing):
Week 1:
- List all subjects and required books
- Decide budget and new vs. used split
- Search BookMandee for used reference guides and practice books
Week 2:
- Purchase NCERT textbooks new (online or bookstore)
- Buy identified used books on BookMandee
- Order current year sample papers new
Week 3-4:
- Receive and verify all books
- Organize by subject
- Begin systematic study
August-September (Late but manageable):
- Buy from BookMandee (selection smaller but still available)
- Consider bundles to acquire multiple books quickly
- Supplement missing resources with library access while waiting for deliveries
October+ (Very late):
- Buy whatever’s available
- Use digital NCERT resources while acquiring physical books
- Focus on core textbooks + one reference per subject (quality over quantity at this stage)
Class 10 board exams demand the right preparation materials. But ‘right’ doesn’t mean the most expensive ones. By understanding which books genuinely help, where new purchases matter, and where quality used books serve just as well, you equip yourself for success without unnecessary financial burden.
BookMandee bridges the gap between students who’ve completed their boards and those beginning preparation, connecting you with proven study materials at 40-60% savings. The books that helped someone score 92% last year can help you achieve your target this year, and they’re available for a fraction of new book prices.
The books that matter aren’t the newest or shiniest. They’re the ones you actually read, practice from, and learn from. Find them on BookMandee and start preparing smartly.