How India Reads: Insights from Surveys, Data, & Online Behaviour

Books have long been a part of India’s cultural fabric. Whether it’s a well-thumbed copy of Wings of Fire passed around in a hostel room or a parent ordering NCERT books for their child’s new session, the act of reading connects generations, languages, and aspirations. 

• But how do Indians really read today? 
• Are we still flipping through physical pages, or have we shifted to e-books and online platforms? 
• Do we still buy new books, or is there a growing love for used books online?

This study aims to answer such questions with data.

At BookMandee, we’ve been closely watching how India buys and sells second-hand books. We also wanted to zoom out and look at the bigger picture:

• How big is India’s book market? 
• What are people reading? 
• Which cities are seeing the highest interest in used books? 

India is still a reading nation evolving in terms of how we read. There’s a rising demand for regional language books, a noticeable shift towards sustainable reading through second-hand book platforms, and a growing number of young readers discovering literature in both digital and print forms.

So whether you’re a parent, publisher, student, teacher, or just someone who loves books, this study is for you. Let’s turn the page and explore how India reads today.

India’s Book Market in Numbers

India is currently one of the largest and fastest-growing book markets in the world. As per Statista, the revenue in the Indian book market is expected to reach USD 5.83 billion in 2025, with expectations of continued growth driven by a rising middle class, increased literacy, and access to education. It has a projected market volume of USD 6.77 billion by 2030.

• Around 90,000 New Book Titles Published Each Year

India’s publishing industry is both massive and incredibly diverse. Every year, around 90,000 new books are published across genres and languages (Source – Wikipedia). 

This number reflects the rising interest in both writing and reading, especially among regional language audiences and self-published authors. With lower printing costs and improved distribution channels, even small and independent publishers can now bring new voices to Indian readers each year.

• A Huge English-Speaking Base, But Regional Books Are Growing Fast

India has the second-largest English-speaking population in the world, estimated at around 129 million. This can fuel a massive demand for English-language books especially in exam prep, education, and fiction (Source).

But the real growth story lies in regional language publishing. The demand for books in Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Marathi, and Malayalam has also risen, particularly among first-time readers and students in rural and semi-urban India.

• Educational Books = Majority Market Share

The Indian book industry is largely education-driven. Multiple industry studies confirm that school textbooks, college books, exam guides, and reference materials account for nearly 70% of book sales in India. This makes the country’s academic publishing segment one of the most lucrative and the most price-sensitive.

The need for cost-effective options in this category is one of the major reasons why BookMandee, which enables buying and selling of used books online, has seen sharp growth.

India’s book market is diverse, dynamic, and deeply localised. As we move forward in this report, we’ll dive into how people are reading across formats, and geographies.

How Does India Read Offline?

Despite the rise of e-books, smartphones, and YouTube learning channels, most Indians still prefer reading physical books. Whether it’s a student preparing for NEET, a parent buying storybooks for children, or someone curled up with a paperback on a weekend, offline reading is still the norm across much of the country.

What Types of Books Are People Reading Offline?

The majority of book purchases in India, especially offline, are driven by academic and exam-related needs. Textbooks, guides, practice papers, and solved question banks are in high demand, particularly in cities with a strong student population like Kota, Pune, and Delhi.

Beyond education, some of the most commonly read offline genres include:

• Fiction (especially romance, thrillers, and mythology-inspired novels)
• Spiritual & religious texts (Bhagavad Gita, Quran, Bible, etc.)
• Children’s storybooks and early learning materials
• Biographies and motivational books

Who’s Reading Physical Books?

Offline reading is still popular across all age groups, but particularly:

• Students in schools, coaching institutes, and colleges
• Parents buying physical books for early learning and school curriculum
• Elderly readers, who are more comfortable with paper than screens
• Book lovers who prefer the sensory feel and collectability of physical books

In rural and semi-urban India, physical books are still the default largely because of limited access to digital reading tools or stable Internet.

The Second-Hand Book Economy

The culture of buying and selling second-hand books has been central to India’s offline reading habits for decades. The following places thrive as local hubs for affordable reading:

• Daryaganj (Delhi)
• College Street (Kolkata)
• Flora Fountain (Mumbai)
• Avenue Road (Bangalore)

What’s changed now is the digital enablement of this same behaviour. BookMandee, for instance, brings the traditional second-hand book bazaar online, making it easier for students and parents to sell used school books, buy old novels, or get exam material at a much lower cost.

Also Read: Exploring Old Book Market in India

Do Libraries Still Matter?

While large city bookstores have seen reduced footfall, school and community libraries are still vital reading spaces, especially in Tier 2 and 3 towns. Printed textbooks remain the most accessible learning material for Indian students, even as digital education tools are promoted.

Libraries, often run by NGOs or community groups, also continue to bridge access gaps, offering:

• Quiet spaces for reading
• Free or low-cost access to books
• Exposure to regional language literature and general knowledge titles

Paperback Is Still King

While there are no exact current stats, most Indian publishers, bookstores, and online sellers still report that paperbacks account for the majority of their sales. Hardcovers tend to be limited to premium fiction or collector’s editions, while e-books are more popular in tech or corporate learning niches.

At BookMandee, almost all listings/book-ads are for physical, used books, further reinforcing their continued popularity.

The New Normal of Buying and Reading Books Online

Not too long ago, buying a book meant a visit to the local bookstore, or maybe haggling at a second-hand stall tucked under a flyover. However, a quick Google search for ‘used NEET books’ or ‘CBSE Class 10 maths second-hand’ throws up dozens of results including listings, seller profiles, and curated bundles.

It’s no longer just about new books, or even just about buying. Indians are actively selling the books they’ve finished out of sheer utility. BookMandee taps into that behaviour. Unlike marketplaces that get buried in clutter, BookMandee is purpose-built – clean, relevant, and often, local. You might just find someone in your own neighbourhood who’s selling the exact book you need.

Search trends also show growing interest in all kinds of second-hand books — fiction box sets, UPSC prep material, even storybooks for toddlers. Buying a used book online has become less about compromise, and more about smart choice.

Of course, digital doesn’t just mean commerce. Some people now read directly on phones or tablets, especially for free classics or PDFs. But the majority still prefer flipping through pages. They just want the ease of finding those pages online.

The behaviour is shifting. It’s subtle, but visible. This subtle shift from purely offline discovery to digital-first convenience is transforming how India reads today.

India’s Regional Reading Divide

India doesn’t read the same way everywhere. What’s trending in Mumbai might be irrelevant in Patna, and that’s what makes the Indian book market so layered. Here’s how the regional divide shapes reading preferences and access across the country.

Language Preferences

• Over 30% of Indian book buyers prefer books in regional languages, not English.
• Hindi leads by far, followed by Marathi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, and others.
• Many children and first-generation readers begin their reading journey in their mother tongue.
• Regional books are typically more affordable and locally relevant.

Language-Wise Publishing Snapshot 

Affordability & Access

• In metro cities, books priced at ₹300–500 are common.
• In smaller towns, most buyers look for books under ₹100, especially for school and exam prep.
• Second-hand books and local publishers fill this pricing gap.

Example: A used NCERT book for Class 10 Science may sell online at ₹80–100, compared to ₹250+ MRP.

Role of Second-hand Book Platforms

• Many second-hand buyers come from Tier 2 & Tier 3 cities, where affordability and availability matter most.
• BookMandee allows readers to find affordable books, especially in regional languages and exam categories.
• It acts as digital bridges, connecting buyers to books beyond their local bookshops.

What Does It All Mean?

• India’s reading future won’t be defined by one language or platform.
• The real growth lies in serving readers who prefer non-English, affordable, physical books – especially those in semi-urban and rural India.
• Any brand or platform serious about books in India needs to look beyond metros and embrace multilingual, value-driven models.

Challenges in India’s Reading Culture

While India’s reading population is vast and growing, the journey toward becoming a reading nation isn’t without roadblocks. The challenges are as diverse as the country itself.

Here’s a breakdown of the key challenges affecting reading habits in India today:

1. Low Frequency of Leisure Reading

• Many Indians read only when required, such as during school, college, or competitive exams..
• Leisure reading competes with digital entertainment (YouTube, OTT, Instagram) which takes precedence for many young users.

2. Lack of Early Reading Exposure

• Reading for pleasure is often not introduced at a young age in many Indian households.
• While textbook access has improved, storybooks are rarely found in rural homes unless specifically provided by schools or NGOs.
• The concept of bedtime stories, reading corners, or personal libraries remains urban and class-specific.

3. Underfunded Libraries and Poor Infrastructure

• School and community libraries are often under-resourced, especially in rural areas.
• Many schools have bookshelves with outdated or irrelevant titles, and no librarian to promote reading.
• Public library systems are shrinking in many cities, with limited budgets and declining footfall.

4. Urban-Rural Divide in Book Access

5. Screen Fatigue and Reduced Attention Spans

• With high smartphone penetration (over 700 million users), digital fatigue is real.
• Long-form reading competes with quick, short-form content like reels, memes, and WhatsApp forwards.
• Many students use PDFs or summaries, but avoid full-length reading, which affects comprehension and sustained engagement.

6. Price Sensitivity in Book Buying

• For many families, buying new books is still a luxury, not a habit.
• A ₹400-500 book is often perceived as non-essential spending unless it’s for exams or school.
• This price sensitivity fuels the demand for second-hand books, pirated copies, and shared reading material in the academic segment.

7. Lack of Regional Language Content Online

• While regional books exist in print, online discovery and availability are still limited, especially for children’s literature and leisure reading.
• Most e-book platforms, mobile apps, and online bookshops still prioritise English and Hindi, sidelining other languages with strong readership bases (e.g., Odia, Assamese, Konkani).

8. Reading Seen as a Task, Not a Hobby

• In many homes, reading is associated with exams, not enjoyment.
• There’s limited encouragement to read outside the syllabus.
• As a result, fewer Indian children grow up reading for joy, unless it’s embedded in their environment through schools, parents, or peer groups.

Summary Table – At a Glance

Conclusion: The Many Ways India Reads

India doesn’t read in one way, making its book culture layered, complex, and full of opportunity.

From schoolkids flipping through second-hand books in small towns, to young professionals buying self-help bestsellers online, to first-time readers exploring storybooks in Marathi or Bengali, the Indian reader today wears many hats. We’re a nation where books still matter deeply. However, access, affordability, and awareness continue to shape who reads what, and how.

What stands out in 2025 is that reading isn’t declining but shifting. From roadside stalls to mobile apps, from new to used, from English to regional languages. Amid this shift, BookMandee is an enabler circulating knowledge, stretching the life of a book, and putting the joy of reading within reach of more people.

If we want to build a stronger reading culture in India, we don’t just need more books. We need to make it easier to find, share, and pass them on.

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