Your school books are sitting in a box somewhere. Stacked in a corner. Shoved under a bed. Gathering dust in your parents’ storeroom.
You finished with them months or years ago. They served their purpose. Now they’re just taking up space, and you’ve thought about getting rid of them more than once. But throwing them away feels wasteful, and donating them feels like you’re leaving money on the table.
Because you are.
Those old textbooks, guides, reference books, and even notebooks have value. Not to you anymore, but to students who are exactly where you were a year or two ago. They need the same books, and they’d rather pay you ₹200 than spend ₹800 on a new copy.
Selling your old school books online isn’t complicated. It doesn’t require any special skills or upfront investment. You just need a bit of time, a few photos, and a platform that connects you with buyers. Here’s how to do it and actually make money from it.
Why Do Old School Books Sell (And Sell Fast)?
Let’s start with the obvious: school books are expensive.
A single NCERT textbook costs ₹150-400 depending on the class and subject. Add in guidebooks, sample papers, reference materials, and optional readings, and a student can easily spend ₹3,000-8,000 per year on books alone. Multiply that across siblings, and families are spending serious money.
That’s where you come in.
Parents and students actively look for second hand school books because:
- They’re cheaper (obviously)
- Content is largely the same across editions for core subjects
- Books are only needed for one academic year, so condition matters less
- Exam prep materials (guides, question banks, sample papers) are especially in demand
Unlike novels or leisure reading, academic books have built-in urgency. Students need them at the start of the school year. If you list them at the right time, they move quickly.
Also Read: All About Pre-Owned Academic Books
TL;DR: Quick Steps to Sell Your School Books
- Sort your books (keep what’s valuable, bundle or donate the rest)
- Research prices on resale platforms
- Clean and photograph each book properly
- Write clear, honest descriptions with all relevant details
- List on the right platforms (peer-to-peer marketplaces work best)
- Price competitively and be ready to negotiate slightly
- Pack securely and ship promptly after payment
Now let’s go deeper.
What School Books Actually Sell (And What Doesn’t)?
Not every book in your collection is worth selling individually. Some have strong resale demand. Others don’t.
High-Demand Books
NCERT Textbooks (Classes 6-12)
These are the backbone of most curriculums. Students need them for board exams, competitive prep, and coursework. Always in demand.
Reference Guides and Solutions
Books like RD Sharma, RS Aggarwal, HC Verma, Pradeep’s, or state-specific guides are goldmines. Students buy these even when they have the textbooks because they want extra practice and explanations.
Competitive Exam Books
JEE, NEET, CLAT, NDA prep books from publishers like Arihant, MTG, Disha, or Cengage. These are expensive and sell quickly in used form.
State Board and CBSE Question Banks
Sample papers, previous years’ questions, and chapter-wise tests. High demand during exam seasons.
English Literature Texts
Novels and plays prescribed for CBSE or ICSE syllabi (think Shakespeare, Khaled Hosseini, R.K. Narayan). These sell steadily.
Low-Demand Books
- Outdated editions (unless the syllabus hasn’t changed)
- Notebooks with heavy personal notes (unless exceptionally well-organised and relevant)
- Workbooks that require filling in answers
- Supplementary readers with no exam relevance
- Books in poor condition (torn pages, heavy damage, illegible text)
If a book falls into the second category, consider bundling it with better books as a “lot” or donating it.
Timing Matters More Than You Think
Academic books have seasonal demand. List at the wrong time, and your books will sit unsold for months. List at the right time, and they’ll move within days.
| When to List | Why It Works |
| March – May | Parents preparing for the new academic year (June-July start). Peak buying period. |
| June – August | Late buyers, students who need replacements, or those switching syllabi mid-year. |
| October – December | Exam prep season. Guides, sample papers, and reference books sell well. |
| January – February | Board exam prep. Last-minute purchases of solved papers and quick revision materials. |
Avoid: November and late December (festivals, holidays, low purchasing activity).
If you’ve just finished your academic year, don’t wait six months to list. Do it within 4-8 weeks while demand is fresh.
Pricing Your Books: The Balance Between Speed and Profit
Price too high, and no one buys. Price too low, and you’re giving away money.
Here’s how to find the middle ground.
Step 1: Check What Others Are Charging
Go to platforms where people sell old school books (BookMandee, OLX, Facebook Marketplace, Quikr). Search for your exact book title, edition, and board.
Note:
- Average listing price
- Condition of those books vs. yours
- How long listings have been active (old listings = overpriced)
Step 2: Factor in Condition
Use this rough guide:
- Like New (barely used, no markings): 50-60% of original price
- Very Good (light use, minor notes): 40-50% of original price
- Good (visible wear, some highlighting): 30-40% of original price
- Acceptable (heavy use but intact): 20-30% of original price
For competitive exam books or rare guides, you can price slightly higher if demand is strong.
Step 3: Set a Competitive Price
If similar books are listed at ₹250-300, price yours at ₹240 if you want it to move fast, or ₹280 if you’re patient. Avoid pricing at the very top unless your book is in exceptional condition.
Step 4: Build in Negotiation Room
Buyers will negotiate. If you want ₹200, list at ₹250. That way, when they ask for a discount, you can drop to ₹220 and both parties feel satisfied.
Where to List Your School Books
Platform choice affects visibility, speed of sale, and how much effort you’ll put in.
BookMandee
Built specifically for buying and selling second hand books. You list directly, set your own price, and deal with buyers without middlemen taking a cut. Works especially well for academic books because the audience is targeted (students and parents actively looking for used textbooks).
Best for: Serious sellers who want control and maximum profit.
If you’re selling multiple books and willing to build a small presence, Instagram works. Post photos, use hashtags like #usedschoolbooks, #NCERTbooks, #studentsale, and engage with buyers through DMs.
Best for: Repeat sales or building a small side hustle.
WhatsApp Groups
Many schools, localities, and parent networks have WhatsApp groups where people buy and sell used books. These are fast-moving and low-effort.
Best for: Hyperlocal, immediate sales.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Just because you spent ₹500 on a book doesn’t mean it’s worth ₹400 used. Price based on market demand, not your purchase cost.
- If you wait until December to sell books for the academic year that started in June, demand has already passed.
- If your book has heavy highlighting or torn pages, disclose it. Surprises lead to refunds and bad feedback.
- Negotiation is normal. If you refuse to budge on ₹20-30, buyers will move on to the next seller.
Scaling This into Regular Pocket Money
Once you’ve sold your own books, you can turn this into a recurring income stream if you’re interested.
Source More Books
- Buy used books in bulk from junior students at low prices, clean them up, and resell
- Collect books from friends or siblings who don’t want to bother selling
- Visit school book fairs, garage sales, or library sales for cheap stock
Build a Reputation
If you sell consistently and deliver good experiences, buyers will come back. Some students buy every year, and if they trust you, they’ll skip other sellers.
FAQ About Selling Old School Books
Can I sell books with my name written inside?
Yes. Most buyers don’t mind a name on the first page. Just mention it in the description.
What if the edition has changed?
Check if the syllabus has been updated. If the content is still relevant, mention “previous edition, content mostly unchanged.” If it’s outdated, price it lower or bundle it.
Should I sell notebooks?
Only if they’re exceptionally well-organised, with clean notes and diagrams that others would find useful. Otherwise, recycle them.
How much can I realistically earn?
Depends on how many books you have and their demand. A full set of Class 12 books in good condition could fetch ₹1,500-3,000. Competitive exam guides can add another ₹1,000-2,000.
What if a buyer claims the book is damaged after delivery?
If you mentioned everything accurately and disclosed all flaws, you’re protected. Always keep proof of condition and communication.
Your old school books aren’t junk. They’re inventory. Treat them like it, and you’ll be surprised how quickly that dusty pile turns into money you can actually use.