College life in India isn’t cheap. Between tuition fees, coaching classes, travel, and daily expenses, buying brand new books every semester can feel like a stretch. If you’re in the commerce stream, you know the load doesn’t stop at one or two books. There’s accounting, economics, business studies, tax laws, each subject bringing its own stack of fat textbooks.
The good part is – not everything has to come with a hefty price tag. A growing number of students have started turning to second hand commerce books. These books aren’t torn-up leftovers or outdated junk. In most cases, they’re in great shape, used by someone who’s probably cleared the same paper you’re preparing for.
With BookMandee, it’s become way easier to find exactly what you’re looking for, whether it’s a B.Com accounting guide or a CA prep book, someone out there might be selling it.
In this post, we’ll talk about everything around second hand commerce books – who should go for them, where to find the good ones, how to check if they’re worth buying, and even how to sell your old ones when you’re done. If you’ve ever felt like textbooks are eating into your budget, this guide is for you.
What Are Second Hand Commerce Books?
When we talk about second hand commerce books, we mean books that have already been used by other students who studied the same subjects before you.
They’re affordable, easy to find, and still in great condition. Why spend ₹700 on a new costing book when you can get the same one for ₹200-300, used only for a semester by someone who’s probably moved on to their next year or cleared the exam?
Let’s break down what usually qualifies as a second hand commerce book:
- Core Textbooks for School, College or Entrance Exams
- Reference Books and Side Reads
- Guides, Question Banks and Solved Papers
- Books with Scribbles, Underlines and Margin Notes
- Slightly Older Editions or Library Copies
- Books Handed Down by Seniors or Friends
Also Read: A Complete Guide to Buying Second Hand Books Online
Who Should Consider Buying Used Commerce Books?
The short answer – a lot more people than you might think.
Buying used college books isn’t just for students who are on a tight budget (although that’s a big reason). It’s for anyone who’s practical enough to know that learning doesn’t have to come with a fresh plastic wrap and the scent of new pages. Whether you’re still in school or preparing for a competitive exam, second hand books make a lot of sense.
Here’s a breakdown of who should genuinely think about picking up used commerce books:
- Class 11 & 12 Commerce Students
- B.Com, BBA & M.Com Students
- CA, CS & CMA Aspirants
- MBA Students or Distance Learners
- Students Preparing for Competitive or Government Exams
- Anyone Who Wants to Study Smart and Spend Less
Benefits of Buying Second Hand Commerce Books
If you’ve ever hesitated while picking up a second hand book, thinking it might be too worn out or outdated, you’re not alone. But if you talk to any senior commerce student who’s been through a few semesters, you’ll hear a different story. Most will tell you that buying used books is often the smarter option.
Here’s why second hand commerce books are popular:
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You Spend Less and Still Get What You Need
Brand new commerce textbooks can cost quite a bit, especially when you’re buying multiple books each term. Used books, on the other hand, are often sold for less than half the price or around.
For subjects like accounts, economics, or business law, the core concepts don’t change overnight. So unless you’re chasing a brand new edition for a syllabus update, a second hand book does the job just fine and saves you a good chunk of money.
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Plenty of Books Available Once Exams Are Over
There’s a kind of unsaid routine that happens every year: exams end and students start selling their books.
If you keep an eye out at the right time, especially around May-June or Nov-Dec, you’ll find a flood of second hand commerce books being sold both online and offline. These aren’t damaged or outdated copies, mostly in perfectly usable condition with just a bit of wear.
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You’re Not Adding to the Pile; You’re Reusing It
When you buy second hand, you reuse what’s already out there. Plus, second hand books often come without unnecessary wrapping or excess packaging, so there’s less to throw away.
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Sometimes, the Extras Are Already Done for You
Used books often carry signs of someone else’s hard work. Key points might be underlined, formulas boxed in, or chapter summaries scribbled on the last page. While some might prefer clean copies, many students actually find this helpful. These little add-ons can give you a head start, especially when you’re revising before exams.
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Older Editions Still Hold Up Well
Many students stress over buying the latest edition. But in reality, many commerce subjects don’t change drastically every year. Theories, definitions, and case studies stay more or less the same. So if you pick up a book that’s a year or two old, chances are it’ll still align with your syllabus. Just double-check for any major syllabus changes, and you’re good to go.
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You Can Sell Them Again Later
The story doesn’t end after you’re done with the book. If you take care of it, you can resell it and recover some of what you spent. There’s always someone looking for the same book next semester. BookMandee makes the process easier by connecting students who want to buy and sell directly.
Recommended Read: Advantages of Selling Old Books Online
Popular Second Hand Commerce Books (With Categories)
One of the most common questions students ask before buying second hand books is — “Will I find the book I actually need?” The answer is: quite likely, yes.
Here’s a breakdown of the most popular second hand commerce books, sorted by category:
| Category | Popular Books | Notes |
| Accountancy & Financial Reporting | – T.S. Grewal’s Accountancy (Class 11 & 12 – CBSE/ISC)
– D.K. Goel Accountancy Series (School-level) – Financial Accounting by S.N. Maheshwari (B.Com & M.Com) – Advanced Accounts by Shukla & Grewal (Higher UG/PG Level) – CA Foundation: Principles and Practice of Accounting |
|
| Economics (Micro + Macro) | – Introductory Microeconomics by Sandeep Garg (Class 12)
– Macroeconomics by H.L. Ahuja (College-level) – Indian Economic Development – NCERT & Reference Guides – Modern Economic Theory by K.K. Dewett – CA Foundation Economics Study Material |
|
| Business Studies, Management & Marketing | – Business Studies by Poonam Gandhi / C.B. Gupta (Class 11 & 12)
– Principles of Management by P.C. Tripathi & P.N. Reddy – Marketing Management by Philip Kotler – Organisational Behaviour by Stephen Robbins – Business Law by M.C. Kuchhal |
Older editions are still useful. These are mostly theory-heavy and often in good condition second-hand. |
| Taxation, Auditing & Law | – Income Tax Law & Practice by V.K. Singhania
– Indirect Taxation by V.S. Datey – Auditing by T.N. Manoharan / Surbhi Bansal – Company Law by Avatar Singh / M.C. Kuchhal – GST Ready Reckoner |
Editions matter due to changing laws. Mostly sold after exams – recent editions often available. |
| Finance, Banking & Investments | – Financial Management by I.M. Pandey / Prasanna Chandra
– Security Analysis & Portfolio Management – Banking & Insurance by Jyotsna Sethi – Fundamentals of Financial Markets |
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| Exam-Specific Books (CA, CS, CMA, etc.) | – Scanner Series (for all levels of CA/CS/CMA)
– Practice Manuals by ICAI – Solved Past Year Papers – Mock Test Booklets |
Fast turnover post exam attempts. Useful for budget-conscious students or additional practice. |
| 7. General Guides, Notes & Combo Packs | – Combo packs of 4-6 subject books
– Personal notes or coaching handouts – Bonus material like model answers or flowcharts |
Common in bulk listings. Great value for full-term prep and insight into coaching materials. |
Also Read: Most Popular Book Categories Online
Where to Buy Second Hand Commerce Books in India?
Here’s a look at the most common places Indian students buy second hand commerce books, each with its own pros and quirks:
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Online Marketplaces Made for Students
Let’s start with the most student-friendly solution. BookMandee is built specifically for buying and selling second hand books across India.
You can filter by stream (like commerce), subject, board, category, and even city. It’s especially useful if you’re looking for course-specific titles, say, a B.Com financial accounting book or a CA Inter taxation guide.
What’s better is that many sellers are students like you, so prices are fair, and some even throw in handwritten notes or past papers for free. The whole process is smoother and feels like a community, not a business.
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Offline Second Hand Book Markets (Every City Has One)
In most Indian cities, there’s at least one famous street or market known for used books. These are gold mines if you know what you’re looking for. A few popular examples:
- Delhi – Daryaganj Sunday Book Market
- Mumbai – Fort Area Bookstalls
- Kolkata – College Street
- Chennai – Moore Market
- Hyderabad – Abids Sunday Book Bazaar
- Bangalore – Avenue Road
You’ll often find CA, CS, B.Com, and MBA prep books sold at throwaway prices here. Just remember to inspect them carefully, bargain a bit, and carry a tote bag. It is because it’s hard to stop once you start digging.
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College Seniors and Classmates
This one’s old-school but very effective. Many seniors are more than happy to sell off old books after they’ve cleared a subject or passed a semester. Some even give them away for free. Keep an eye on college notice boards, WhatsApp groups, or even classroom announcements.
Selling Your Old Commerce Books: Don’t Let Them Go to Scrap
Once exams are done and results are out, most of us just want to clear the shelf. Those thick commerce books you once stressed over start gathering dust, getting tucked away into storage boxes, or worse, sold to the raddi guy for ₹10 a kilo.
But just because a book is old for you doesn’t mean it’s useless. For another student, it might be exactly what they’re hunting for. Selling your old commerce books is a smarter alternative to scrapping them, it also helps build a helpful cycle among students.
Here’s how you can go about it:
- Sort Out What’s Sellable and What’s Not
Start by pulling out all the books you no longer need – accountancy, business studies, economics, tax, or even solved papers and reference guides. If the book is still relevant to your course or hasn’t been replaced by a major syllabus update, it’s likely someone else can use it.
Check for condition – no missing pages, legible print, and intact binding. Light markings or neat underlines are fine. In fact, they sometimes make the book even more useful.
- Clean It Up and Make It Look Presentable
Dust the covers, remove random bookmarks, erase pencil markings if possible, and straighten folded pages. The better it looks, the more chances of someone buying it. If you’ve written your name on the front page, just cross it out neatly.
- Decide Where You Want to Sell It
There are multiple ways to sell second hand commerce books these days:
- BookMandee: Built for students, no hassle of negotiating with random buyers. You list, connect, and sell directly. Plus, your listing stays visible to buyers from different cities or colleges.
- College juniors or WhatsApp groups: A simple message like ‘Selling Class 12 Eco + Accounts books – 60% off’ works surprisingly well in class or society groups.
- Second hand bookstores near campus: Many small bookshops offer a fixed buyback rate. It’s quick, though not always the best price.
- Set a Fair, Attractive Price
Let’s say your book cost ₹400 brand new. If it’s still in good shape, a price of ₹150-₹200 makes it both affordable for a buyer and worthwhile for you. If it’s an older edition or has a few signs of use, adjust accordingly.
Use BookMandee price calculator to get an estimate.
- Mention the Condition Honestly When Listing Online
Whether you’re posting it on BookMandee, you must mention:
- Book title + author
- Edition/year (if visible)
- Condition (e.g. ‘light markings in 3 chapters, rest clean’)
- Your price
- Pickup/delivery details (if any)
The more clarity you provide upfront, the smoother the sale will be.
- Consider Selling in Bundles
If you’ve got a full semester’s worth of books, or multiple subjects from the same course, try listing them as a combo. It’s more convenient for buyers and easier for you to clear space. You can even throw in handwritten notes or old question papers as an extra.
- Avoid Scrapping Unless It’s Completely Outdated
There are only a few situations where scrapping makes sense. Maybe the book is damaged beyond repair or the syllabus has changed drastically (think old GST rules or outdated Companies Act editions). In all other cases, selling it second hand is simply the more sensible choice for your pocket and the planet.
- Use What You Earn to Fund Your Next Term’s Books
Even if you earn ₹500 by selling three or four old books, that’s still enough to buy at least one of next semester’s titles second hand. It keeps the cycle going and saves you money in the long run.
- Don’t Underestimate the Impact
You might think, ‘It’s just a used book’. But for someone preparing for the same exams with limited means, that one book can make a real difference. You help someone learn, reduce waste, and clear up space all at once.
Final Word
Second hand commerce books don’t belong in scrap piles. They belong in the hands of students who can use them. Selling them is simple, useful, and rewarding for you and for someone else trying to get through the same academic grind.
So the next time your term ends, don’t toss your books out but pass them on.
FAQs on Second Hand Commerce Books
Are second hand commerce books reliable for current syllabi?
It depends on the subject and how recently the book was published. For subjects like business studies, economics theory, or principles of accounting, the concepts don’t change every year, so second hand books work well.
However, for areas like taxation, company law, or finance where the law or policies get updated often, it’s better to double-check the edition and cross-reference with your current syllabus.
Will a used book affect how well I prepare for my exams?
What matters more is how you use the book, not whether it’s new. In fact, many second hand commerce books come with highlights, notes, and important questions already marked, which can actually help with exam prep.
Do colleges or universities allow the use of second hand books?
Colleges don’t mind whether your book is new or used, as long as you have the required material. Many professors themselves recommend getting older editions or used copies, especially for reference books that are expensive. Commerce as a stream often involves bulky books, and most students buy second hand just to stay within budget – it’s completely normal.
What if the book I get is from an older curriculum?
It’s a valid concern. Before you start using any second hand commerce book, compare its table of contents with your course outline or subject guide. If it’s mostly aligned but has one or two outdated chapters, you can simply study those parts from another source.
Is it okay to prepare for competitive exams using second hand commerce books?
Yes, for foundational topics. For entrance exams like CUET (Commerce stream), CA Foundation, or BBA entrances, used books covering basics like accountancy, business laws, economics, etc., are perfectly fine. Just ensure you get the latest practice papers separately if the ones in the book are outdated.
Can second hand books be used for self-study or distance learning courses?
Many students enrolled in open universities or online commerce diplomas prefer second hand books because they’re affordable and easy to get. Whether you’re preparing for IGNOU exams or brushing up on concepts for freelancing or a job, second hand books offer a solid base as long as they’re in readable condition and cover the right topics.
How do I decide if a second hand commerce book is good enough?
Ask yourself three things:
- Is the content still relevant to what I’m studying now?
- Are the pages clean and complete, without missing chapters?
- Is the book easy to read and understand for me personally?
If the answer is yes to all three, then it’s good enough even if the corners are bent or the cover is faded.
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