There’s a predictable urgency that sets in around late March. Admission letters have been received, class lists have been shared in parent groups, and the reality of the new academic session is no longer abstract. It’s weeks away, and there are books to buy.
For many families, this is when the scramble begins. Bookstores get crowded, popular titles go out of stock, and prices feel non-negotiable. But increasingly, a growing number of parents are stepping away from that rush and looking elsewhere first.
Between April and June last year, demand for used school books on BookMandee increased by approximately 40% compared to the January-March quarter.
40% increase in demand
Used school books (April-June vs. Jan-March 2024)
This insight is drawn from search volume, enquiry rates, and transactions across the platform during the pre-session window, covering CBSE, ICSE, and state board books for Classes 1 through 12. The spike wasn’t uniform across all categories, but the overall trend showed that families turn to secondhand options in significant numbers as the new session approaches.
Why does the jump happen when it does?
The timing of this demand surge isn’t accidental. It’s shaped by a combination of practical triggers and shifting household priorities.
- School booklists arrive in waves
Most schools release their book requirements in late March or early April, sometimes even later. By the time parents have the full list in hand, there’s a narrow window to source everything before the session starts. That compressed timeline pushes families to act quickly, and for many, checking secondhand listings first has become the default starting point rather than an afterthought.
- New book prices feel steeper each year
Textbook costs have been climbing steadily. When you’re staring at a list of 12-15 books for a single child, the total adds up fast. A complete set of CBSE Class 9 books, including NCERT texts and supplementary readers, can easily cost ₹5,000-₹7,000 new.
Used schoolbook options typically land between ₹2,500-₹4,000, depending on condition. That’s not a marginal difference. It’s grocery money, uniform costs, or a term’s worth of art supplies. For families with two or three children moving up grades simultaneously, the savings compound. Buying used for even one child frees up significant budget space.
- Availability anxiety drives early action
Parents know that popular titles move quickly. If you’re looking for a lightly used copy of a Class 10 mathematics textbook in early May, you’ll have options. Wait until mid-June, and you’re choosing from what’s left. This awareness has made families more proactive. They’re listing books earlier (right after exams end) and buying earlier (as soon as booklists are confirmed), creating a mini-marketplace cycle that peaks well before the session starts.
What’s actually being bought?
Not all books see the same level of demand. The 40% jump reflects aggregate activity, but drilling into the specifics reveals clear patterns in what parents prioritise and what they’re willing to compromise on.
- Core NCERT textbooks dominate
Across all classes, standard NCERT texts for mathematics, science, social studies, and languages account for the largest share of secondhand purchases. These books have stable editions, predictable content, and are used for multiple years by different students. Parents feel confident buying them used because the risk of outdated material is minimal.
- Reference books and guides come next
Titles like RD Sharma, RS Aggarwal, Oswaal question banks, and various all-in-one guides see strong secondhand demand, particularly for Classes 9-12. These books are expensive when bought new, often ₹400-₹800 per title, and students typically use them intensively for one academic year before moving on. That makes them ideal candidates for resale and repurchase.
- Language readers and literature books move slower
While there’s demand, it’s less urgent. Individuals are more selective about the book condition here, particularly if the book involves poetry or prose that students might annotate heavily. A math textbook with some pencil marks is acceptable. A literature reader with entire paragraphs highlighted in permanent marker is harder to use.
- Workbooks and activity books enter the secondhand market last
These are consumable by nature, meant to be written in, and hold little resale value. Parents know this and may not expect to find them used.
City-wise behaviour: not everyone buys the same way
The 40% demand increase was visible across most cities, but how families approached buying varied noticeably by location.
- In Delhi NCR, negotiation was common. Buyers in this region were more likely to message sellers with counteroffers, particularly for higher-priced reference books or full sets. The culture of bargaining, deeply embedded in the city’s commerce, extends to digital transactions as well. Sellers who priced slightly above market rate but remained open to negotiation often closed deals faster than those with fixed pricing.
- Bangalore buyers prioritised speed over savings. Listings in Bangalore that offered same-day or next-day pickup saw higher engagement than those requiring courier or delayed handoffs. Individuals here seemed willing to pay slightly more for convenience and immediacy, possibly reflecting time-pressed dual-income households where logistics matter as much as cost.
- Mumbai showed the highest repeat buyer rate. Families in Mumbai who purchased books in March were significantly more likely to return in May or early June for additional titles. This suggests a test-and-buy approach – parents start with one or two books to gauge quality and seller reliability, then return for the rest of the list if satisfied.
- Pune and Hyderabad leaned towards bundle purchases. Listings offering complete sets (all books for a particular class) performed better in these cities than individual listings. Parents seemed to prefer the simplicity of a one-time transaction, even if the per-book savings were slightly lower than buying individually.
Also Read: Over 10,000 Academic Books Exchanged Across 6 Cities
What buyers should know heading into this window?
If the 40% demand jump teaches anything, it’s that timing and preparation matter. The families who navigate this season most effectively aren’t necessarily the ones who start earliest, but the ones who approach it strategically.
- Start browsing in late April, buy in early May. This is when supply is highest and competition is lowest. Sellers have just listed post-exam books, and most buyers haven’t begun shopping yet. You’ll have the widest selection, better negotiation leverage, and less pressure.
- Be specific about condition requirements. Not all used books are equal, and not all conditions suit every student. If your child prefers unmarked pages, check for such book-ads only. If light pencil annotations are fine, look accordingly. Clear communication upfront saves time and disappointment.
- Check edition and publication year. For NCERT books, this matters less since content changes infrequently. But for reference guides and question banks, editions can vary significantly. A 2022 edition of a competitive exam guide might have outdated question patterns compared to a 2024 edition. So, always confirm before committing.
- Don’t wait for perfection. A lightly used book with minor wear is often just as functional as a pristine one, and it’ll be available when you need it. Holding out for a flawless copy might mean missing the window entirely.
What sellers should know about this season?
The flip side of a 40% demand increase can be heightened buyer expectations. Sellers who understand what drives purchasing decisions during this period tend to close deals faster and at better prices.
- List as soon as exams end. March is the sweet spot. Your books are still fresh in memory, condition is at its peak, and you’re ahead of the supply wave that hits in late May. Early listings not only attract more views but also give you time to field enquiries without pressure.
- Price competitively, not cheaply. Research what similar books are listed for, then price slightly below if your condition is comparable or at par if your condition is notably better. Underpricing doesn’t always move books faster; it just signals uncertainty. Fair pricing by using an online calculator with room for minor negotiation works better.
- Invest two minutes in a good description. Mention publication year, edition, board (CBSE/ICSE/State), and condition specifics (highlighting, page damage, cover wear). A sentence or two makes a measurable difference in enquiry quality. Buyers appreciate transparency and reward it with faster decisions.
- Respond quickly to enquiries. During peak season, buyers message multiple sellers simultaneously. The first one to respond clearly and helpfully often wins the sale. If you’re listing books, commit to checking messages at least once a day.
- Offer bundle discounts where it makes sense. If you’re selling multiple books from the same class, consider a small discount for buyers who take the full set. It’s easier for you (one transaction, one handoff) and appealing for them (convenience, slight savings).
Why does this surge matter beyond transactions?
A 40% increase in demand isn’t just a seasonal blip. It reflects something more structural about how Indian families are approaching educational expenses.
-
- Secondhand is becoming first-choice, not fallback.
- Schools are indirectly enabling this.
- The infrastructure is catching up.
- Students themselves are unbothered.
Looking ahead to next season
If April-June 2024 saw a 40% jump, what might April-June 2025 look like? Likely higher, but not dramatically so. Growth in this space isn’t exponential; it’s steady and compounding.
More families will hear about it from friends. More sellers will list proactively after experiencing a smooth transaction. More schools will quietly accept it as standard practice. And more students will grow up in households where reuse is just how books work.
The trajectory is clear. The question now is less about whether this market will grow and more about how platforms, parents, and sellers adapt to manage that growth without losing the trust and transparency that made it possible in the first place.
For now, the 40% surge is a signal. The new academic session isn’t just a time for fresh starts. It’s also, increasingly, a time for smart reuse.
Note: Insights are based on aggregated, anonymised activity observed on the BookMandee platform over a defined period. Numbers are indicative and rounded.