Every April, something shifts in Indian households. The school bag comes out of storage. A book list appears – sometimes a single sheet, sometimes two pages front and back – and a parent sits down to make sense of it.
- Which books are mandatory?
- Which publisher?
- Is last year’s edition still valid?
- Can I buy these online or does it have to be from the school?
If your child is in a CBSE school, let us answer all of that. BookMandee carries the complete range of CBSE school books for Classes 1 to 12 – NCERT textbooks, subject guides, reference books, workbooks, and sample papers – updated to the 2025-26 session.
TL;DR
| What | Details |
| Board | CBSE – Central Board of Secondary Education |
| Session | 2025-26 (April 2025 to March 2026) |
| Core textbooks | NCERT – uniform across all CBSE-affiliated schools in India |
| Classes covered | Nursery to Class 12 |
| Book types | Textbooks, workbooks, reference books, sample papers, question banks, guides |
| Updated editions | Yes – especially Classes 4, 5, 7, 8 for 2025-26; Classes 9+ from 2026-27 |
| Medium | English and Hindi medium both available |
What Is CBSE and Why Does It Matter for Book Buying?
CBSE – the Central Board of Secondary Education – is India’s largest national school board, governed by the Ministry of Education. More than 27,000 schools across India and 240 schools in 28 countries are affiliated with CBSE. As of 2024, over 20 million students study under the CBSE umbrella.
What makes CBSE significant from a books standpoint is uniformity. Every CBSE-affiliated school – whether it is in Delhi, Chennai, Nagpur, or Guwahati – follows the same curriculum. That curriculum is built on NCERT textbooks. It is compulsory for CBSE-affiliated schools, as CBSE follows the NCERT curriculum. This means a parent in any city, buying from any platform, needs the same set of NCERT books for the same class. There is no state-level variation in the core texts.
This is precisely why buying CBSE books online is easy – the titles are standardised, the editions are clearly marked, and the same books are valid everywhere.
NCERT and CBSE – They Are Not the Same Thing
This confuses many parents, especially those navigating the system for the first time.
CBSE is the board. It affiliates schools, sets exam patterns, and conducts the Class 10 and Class 12 board exams.
NCERT – the National Council of Educational Research and Training – is the organisation that writes and publishes the textbooks. CBSE works closely with NCERT, which designs the curriculum framework and textbooks, while CBSE oversees schools and conducts examinations based on the NCERT syllabus.
Think of it this way: CBSE is the board that runs the race; NCERT writes the rulebook everyone studies from.
When your school says ‘buy CBSE books’, they mean NCERT textbooks. These are the ones published with the NCERT logo on the cover, priced at government-regulated rates, and available across the country. Supplementary reference books from private publishers like S. Chand, Oswaal, or R.D. Sharma are additions – useful, sometimes school-prescribed, but not the core CBSE curriculum.
Also Read: How to Sell Your Used Books Online: A Step-by-Step Guide
What NEP 2020 Has Changed – and Why Your Old Books May Not Work?
This is where a lot of families are caught off-guard.
The National Education Policy 2020 triggered a comprehensive overhaul of the NCERT curriculum. NCERT is rolling out new and redesigned textbooks for the 2025-26 academic session as part of the changes under NEP 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023. These new books focus on skills, understanding, and real-life learning, instead of just memorising answers.
The rollout is phased – not all classes changed at once. Here is where things stand for session 2025-26:
Already updated (new editions in use):
- Classes 1, 2, 3 – updated in 2023-24
- Class 6 – new books including Curiosity (Science) and Exploring Society (integrated Social Science) introduced in 2024
Updated for 2025-26:
- For the academic year 2025-26, NCERT is introducing updated textbooks for Classes 4, 5, 7, and 8. Class 7 Social Science now covers ancient Indian dynasties in depth, and Class 8 has a new integrated textbook titled Exploring Society: India and Beyond Vol. II.
Staying largely unchanged for now:
- Classes 9 and 10 – current NCERT editions remain valid for 2025-26. Class 9 new books are currently under preparation and will be introduced from the 2026-27 academic session. Class 10 and 11 textbooks have been postponed to 2027-28.
- Classes 11 and 12 – existing NCERT books continue, though syllabus rationalisations (topic deletions and additions) apply.
The practical implication:
If you have an elder child and are considering passing books down to a younger sibling, check the class carefully. For Classes 4, 5, 7, and 8, 2024-25 books may not match the 2025-26 curriculum. For Classes 9 to 12, existing editions largely carry forward.
On BookMandee, every listing/book-ad is tagged with the session year so you can verify before purchasing.
Browse CBSE School Books by Class Group
Nursery, LKG, and UKG
The pre-primary years are handled differently under NEP 2020. The focus at this stage is on play-based and activity-driven learning rather than formal textbooks. Most CBSE pre-primary sections follow a combination of publisher-specific activity books, English readers, and basic numeracy books recommended by the school.
Common publishers for this stage: Madhubun, Ratna Sagar, Macmillan, Orient BlackSwan, New Saraswati House. Since there is no single mandated NCERT book for Nursery to UKG, always follow your school’s specific prescribed list for this stage.
Primary School – Classes 1 to 5
The NCERT books for the primary years are among the most recognisable in Indian education – Marigold for English, Rimjhim for Hindi, Math Magic for Mathematics, and Looking Around for EVS. For Class 3, updated textbooks promote experiential and activity-based learning, with a science textbook that starts with a relatable story and activity rather than definitions. English textbooks earlier known as Marigold are now titled Poorvi for the updated classes.
Core NCERT books for Classes 1 to 5:
| Class | English | Hindi | Maths | EVS |
| 1 | Marigold | Rimjhim | Math Magic | – |
| 2 | Marigold | Rimjhim | Math Magic | – |
| 3 | Poorvi (new) | Updated | Ganit Ka Jaadu | The World Around Us |
| 4 | Updated 2025-26 | Updated 2025-26 | Math Magic | Looking Around |
| 5 | Updated 2025-26 | Updated 2025-26 | Math Magic | Looking Around |
Many CBSE schools at this level also prescribe additional workbooks, grammar books, and general knowledge titles from private publishers. These vary by school but are commonly from publishers like Full Marks, Evergreen, or S. Chand.
Average cost of NCERT books, Classes 1 to 5: ₹800 to ₹1,200 for the complete set. With private publisher additions, the total can go up to ₹3,000 to ₹4,000 depending on the school’s list.
Middle School – Classes 6, 7, and 8
This is where the curriculum starts gaining structure and subjects begin to develop their own depth. Science separates into distinct concepts. Social Science covers History, Geography, and Civics. Mathematics introduces algebra, basic geometry, and data handling. English moves from simple stories to literature, grammar, and formal composition.
Session 2025-26 brings the most significant changes at this level.
Class 6 (already updated in 2024): The new books include Curiosity (Science), Exploring Society (integrated Social Science combining History, Geography, and Civics into one book), and updated Mathematics and language textbooks. If you are buying for Class 6 in 2025-26, ensure you are not picking up the very old editions.
Classes 7 and 8 (updated for 2025-26): The new Class 7 Social Science textbook restructures the historical sequence. Coverage of the medieval period has been shifted to later classes, while Class 7 now covers ancient Indian history – including the Maurya, Shunga, Satavahana, and Gupta dynasties – in greater depth. Class 8 has a new textbook titled Exploring Society: India and Beyond Vol. II.
Core NCERT subjects, Classes 6 to 8: Science, Mathematics, Social Science (integrated), English (Honeysuckle/Vasant), Hindi, and Sanskrit or a third language as applicable.
Vocational education has also been introduced from Class 6 onwards as part of NEP 2020 – schools may prescribe additional activity or project modules for this.
Average cost of NCERT books, Classes 6 to 8: ₹1,200 to ₹1,800 for the NCERT set. With school-prescribed reference books and guides, total outgo typically rises to ₹4,000 to ₹6,000.
Secondary School – Classes 9 and 10
Classes 9 and 10 represent the first high-stakes phase of school education. CBSE’s Class 10 board exam is the first national-level assessment, and the books used here form the foundation for competitive exams like NEET and JEE a few years later.
For 2025-26, the existing NCERT editions for Classes 9 and 10 remain in use. The new integrated curriculum (under NCF-SE 2023) is being prepared and will be introduced from 2026-27 onwards.
Core NCERT subjects, Class 9 and 10:
- Science – Physics, Chemistry, Biology in one volume (Class 9: Science; Class 10: Science)
- Mathematics – Standard and Basic (Class 10 students choose one)
- Social Science – History (India and the Contemporary World), Geography (Contemporary India), Political Science (Democratic Politics), Economics (Understanding Economic Development)
- English – Beehive (reader) + Moments (supplementary), Footprints Without Feet (Class 10)
- Hindi – Course A (Kshitij, Kritika) or Course B (Sparsh, Sanchayan)
- Second Language / Third Language – Sanskrit, Urdu, or a regional language as applicable
Commonly bought reference and guide books for Classes 9 and 10:
| Subject | Popular Reference Books |
| Mathematics | R.D. Sharma, R.S. Aggarwal, NCERT Exemplar |
| Science | S. Chand, Lakhmir Singh & Manjit Kaur, NCERT Exemplar |
| Social Science | Together with SST, Full Marks SST |
| English | Together with English, S. Chand English Grammar |
| All subjects | Oswaal Sample Papers, Arihant All-in-One |
A note on the two-board exam system for Class 10 (2025-26):
This session introduces a significant structural change. CBSE has officially announced that Class 10 board exams will be held twice a year starting from the 2025-26 academic session. Here is how it works:
- First exam (mandatory): February-March 2026 – all students must appear.
- Second exam (optional): May 2026 – open to students who passed the first exam and wish to improve scores in up to three subjects, or to students with a compartment result in one to three subjects.
The syllabus for both exams is the same, and students can keep the better score of the two attempts. The books required do not change – but this system means students who buy quality reference and practice materials early have two structured opportunities to perform well.
Average cost of books, Classes 9 and 10: ₹1,500 to ₹2,200 for the NCERT set. With reference books and sample papers added, total spend typically falls between ₹5,000 and ₹8,000.
Senior Secondary – Classes 11 and 12
Class 11 is where the curriculum finally splits, and the choice a student makes here shapes the next several years. Three broad streams exist under CBSE – Science, Commerce, and Humanities – each with its own NCERT textbooks and a parallel universe of reference and exam-prep material.
Science Stream
| Subject | NCERT Books | Common Reference Books |
| Physics | Physics Part I & II | H.C. Verma, D.C. Pandey, NCERT Exemplar |
| Chemistry | Chemistry Part I & II | P. Bahadur (Physical), J.D. Lee (Inorganic), NCERT Exemplar |
| Biology | Biology | Trueman’s Biology, MTG Fingertips |
| Mathematics | Mathematics | R.D. Sharma, S.L. Loney (Trigonometry), Hall & Knight |
Science stream students targeting JEE or NEET typically buy the most books of any student group – NCERT is the non-negotiable base, and reference books are the competitive differentiator. For CBSE board exams, thorough preparation using NCERT books is generally sufficient to score well. For JEE and NEET, the NCERT knowledge needs to go deeper, which is where H.C. Verma, D.C. Pandey, and their equivalents become essential.
Commerce Stream
| Subject | NCERT Books | Common Reference Books |
| Accountancy | Accountancy Part I & II | T.S. Grewal (widely used), DK Goel |
| Business Studies | Business Studies Part I & II | NCERT + S. Chand guides |
| Economics | Introductory Microeconomics, Introductory Macroeconomics | T.R. Jain & V.K. Ohri, S. Chand Economics |
| Mathematics (optional) | Mathematics | R.D. Sharma |
| Informatics Practices (optional) | Informatics Practices | Sumita Arora |
T.S. Grewal for Accountancy holds a special place in the CBSE commerce universe – almost universally prescribed, it goes significantly beyond the NCERT in terms of practice problems and is typically treated as the primary working book, with NCERT as the conceptual foundation.
Humanities Stream
| Subject | NCERT Books | Common Reference Books |
| History | Themes in Indian History Part I, II, III | Arjun Dev, NCERT guides |
| Political Science | Political Theory, Indian Constitution at Work (Class 11); Contemporary World Politics, Politics in India (Class 12) | S. Chand, Arihant |
| Geography | Fundamentals of Physical Geography, India Physical Environment (Class 11) | NCERT + atlas |
| Sociology | Introducing Sociology, Understanding Society | NCERT |
| Psychology | Introduction to Psychology | NCERT |
| Economics | Introductory Micro + Macro (shared with Commerce) | T.R. Jain & V.K. Ohri |
Average cost of books, Classes 11 and 12: The NCERT set alone costs ₹800 to ₹1,500 depending on the stream. Reference books, guides, and question banks add substantially – total spends of ₹6,000 to ₹12,000 per student are common in the Science stream with full exam-prep material included.
Also Read: Evolution of School Books From Textbooks to eBooks
Types of CBSE Books – What Each One Is and Whether You Need It
Parents often receive a school list that mixes mandatory texts with supplementary titles without making the distinction clear. Here is a definitive breakdown:
| Book Type | What It Is | Is It Mandatory? |
| NCERT Textbook | The official CBSE curriculum book, published by the government | Yes – always, for every subject |
| NCERT Exemplar | Advanced practice problems published by NCERT, especially for Maths and Science | Strongly recommended for Classes 9 to 12 |
| Reference / Guide Book | Publisher-authored books (R.D. Sharma, S. Chand, etc.) with extra explanations, solved examples, and practice exercises | Not mandatory for board exams; useful for competitive exam prep and deeper practice |
| All-in-One / Comprehensive Guide | All chapters of a subject covered with notes, exercises, and solved papers (e.g., Arihant All-in-One) | Depends on learning style; popular with self-study students |
| Sample Question Papers | Practice papers modelled on board exam patterns with marking schemes | Highly recommended for Classes 10 and 12, especially given the two-exam system |
| Question Bank / PYQ Book | Previous years’ questions organised chapter-wise, often with solutions | Very useful in final months of exam preparation |
| Workbook / Activity Book | School-prescribed exercise books for practice | Buy only if your school’s list specifically mentions them |
| Lab Manual | Practical procedure guides for Science subjects | Required for Classes 9 to 12 science subjects |
A common parent concern: Are reference books compulsory?
For board exams – no. For CBSE board exams, NCERT textbooks alone are sufficient to score well, especially if you understand the concepts and practice the questions thoroughly. Where reference books genuinely help is in the volume and variety of practice – the NCERT has limited exercises, and most students benefit from more problem-solving exposure. If your school has explicitly prescribed a reference book title, treat it as required. If it has not, it is your call.
Recommended Read: Find and Buy Old Books Online at BookMandee
Common Mistakes Parents Make While Buying CBSE Books
Knowing what to buy is half the job. Knowing what not to do saves time, money, and avoidable confusion mid-session.
Buying the wrong edition year
NCERT books look visually similar across years – the difference is in the content. Always check the edition printed on the copyright page or on the back cover. For 2025-26, books should be marked 2025 or the 2025-26 revised edition.
Carrying forward books from an older sibling without checking
Books for Classes 4, 5, 7, and 8 have been updated for 2025-26. Using a 2023-24 or 2024-25 copy of these titles may mean studying from a superseded curriculum.
Buying all the reference books on the list at once
Wait until classes begin. Teachers often indicate which reference books are actually used in class – buying everything upfront based on the school list sometimes means buying titles that are never opened.
Confusing NCERT with NCERT-based guides
Many private publishers print books titled ‘NCERT Solutions’ or ‘Based on NCERT’. These are not NCERT books – they are third-party publications. Both have value, but they are different things. The actual NCERT book is published by NCERT itself and carries the NCERT logo.
Ignoring medium of instruction
NCERT books are available in English, Hindi, and Urdu medium. Buying English medium books for a child in a Hindi medium school – or vice versa – is a surprisingly common oversight when buying online.
Not accounting for late additions to the school list
Some schools send out updated book lists after the session begins, especially for practical-oriented subjects. Build a small buffer in your initial purchase rather than buying everything from the first list.
CBSE Books in Hindi Medium – What Is Available and Where
A substantial proportion of CBSE students study in Hindi medium – particularly in states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand. NCERT publishes all its textbooks in Hindi as well, and the titles follow a clear naming pattern:
- The Hindi medium NCERT Science for Class 9 is called Vigyan
- The Hindi medium Mathematics is called Ganit
- Social Science has Hindi equivalents for all its constituent books
Private publisher reference books also have Hindi medium editions – T.S. Grewal’s Accountancy, for instance, is available in Hindi. R.D. Sharma’s Mathematics editions in Hindi are widely used.
On BookMandee, all listings are filterable by title. If you are buying for a Hindi medium student, check the details in the book-ad description to ensure you receive the correct editions.
CBSE Schools Outside India – Do the Books Apply?
Yes. There are 240 CBSE schools in 28 foreign countries, primarily serving Indian communities in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and other regions. These schools follow the same NCERT curriculum as schools in India, and students need the same books.
How to Use Your School’s Book List Effectively
Most schools issue a book list in March or April before the new session begins. Here is how to work through it without overspending or buying the wrong things:
- Separate NCERT titles from private publisher titles. NCERT books are listed by their official title (e.g., Beehive, Democratic Politics, Chemistry Part I). Private publisher books carry the author or publisher name alongside the title.
- Mark the ‘mandatory’ versus ‘recommended’ titles. Some schools helpfully annotate their lists; others do not. When in doubt, call the school office and ask which titles are being actively taught versus merely suggested.
- Note the edition year. If the list specifies ‘2025-26 edition’ for a reference book, buy that year’s edition or a slightly previous one – question papers and solved examples in sample paper books may change every year.
- Check what your child already has from last year. NCERT books for Classes 9 to 12 are unchanged for 2025-26, so a Class 9 student moving to Class 10 can reuse the NCERT titles they already own if they are in good condition.
- Buy NCERT books first, reference books after the first month. This simple sequencing saves unnecessary purchases and lets teachers guide which reference titles actually get used.
What Does It Cost to Buy All CBSE Books for the Year?
Cost varies significantly by class and stream, but these are realistic ranges for 2025-26:
| Class Group | NCERT Books Only | With School-Prescribed Reference Books |
| Classes 1 to 5 | ₹800 – ₹1,200 | ₹3,000 – ₹5,000 |
| Classes 6 to 8 | ₹1,200 – ₹1,800 | ₹4,000 – ₹6,500 |
| Classes 9 to 10 | ₹1,500 – ₹2,200 | ₹5,000 – ₹8,000 |
| Class 11 to 12 (Science) | ₹1,000 – ₹1,500 | ₹8,000 – ₹12,000 |
| Class 11 to 12 (Commerce) | ₹800 – ₹1,200 | ₹5,000 – ₹7,500 |
| Class 11 to 12 (Humanities) | ₹700 – ₹1,000 | ₹4,000 – ₹6,000 |
Despite government norms, the purchase of books and uniforms continues to drain parents’ finances. The gap between NCERT-only cost and total-with-reference-books is substantial – and largely driven by private publisher titles that schools include on their lists. BookMandee lists all titles at competitive prices, often below MRP, with no hidden platform charges.
Can You Buy CBSE Books from an Online Platform?
A question many parents have but rarely ask out loud.
Schools affiliated with CBSE do not have the right to compel parents to buy books from a specific vendor or their own school shop. CBSE guidelines are clear on this, and state education departments have issued similar circulars repeatedly. Parents are free to purchase their child’s books from any source – a local bookshop, an online platform, or a second-hand market – as long as the correct titles and editions are purchased.
Buying online from BookMandee offers the same books at verified editions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NCERT the only publisher for CBSE textbooks?
NCERT is the official publisher of the core curriculum books that CBSE mandates. For supplementary and reference books, dozens of private publishers like S. Chand, Oswaal, Arihant, Dhanpat Rai, R.D. Sharma, and Full Marks are widely used and often prescribed by schools alongside NCERT.
Are NCERT books the same across all states for CBSE schools?
One of the defining features of CBSE is curriculum uniformity. A Class 9 Science student in Bengaluru and one in Patna study from the same NCERT Science book. There are no state-level modifications to NCERT books in CBSE schools.
My child’s school follows CBSE but the teacher recommended a non-NCERT book. Is that normal?
Entirely normal. Teachers often recommend reference books that go deeper than NCERT – particularly for Mathematics and Science in Classes 9 to 12. These are supplementary, not a replacement. NCERT remains the primary text for board exam preparation.
I received the book list but some titles don’t show up when I search. What should I do?
Use the exact title when searching for CBSE school books online. Alternatively, search by publisher name and class. If you still can’t find a specific title, contact BookMandee support – we can help locate or source the book.
Are the books for Class 10 changing because of the two-exam system from 2025-26?
No. The books and syllabus remain unchanged. The two-exam system changes the assessment structure – students now have one mandatory exam in February 2026 and an optional improvement exam in May 2026 – but the curriculum and required books are the same.
My younger child is going into Class 7. Can they use their elder sibling’s books from last year
For Class 7, the NCERT books have been updated for 2025-26. Using 2024-25 editions would mean studying outdated content, particularly in Social Science. It is advisable to buy the new 2025-26 editions for Class 7 this session. You can also check if the older editions are still available and then search for them on BookMandee.
Are bilingual NCERT books available – English text with Hindi translations?
NCERT publishes separate English medium and Hindi medium editions. A bilingual hybrid edition is not a standard NCERT product, though some private publishers offer dual-language study guides. Buy the medium that matches your child’s school instruction language.
Does BookMandee sell NCERT books at the government-fixed price?
BookMandee lists NCERT books at competitive prices in line with NCERT’s MRP. Reference and guide books may be listed at or below MRP. There are no hidden fees on any purchase.
What if my child switches CBSE schools mid-session?
Since all CBSE schools follow the same NCERT curriculum, a switch mid-session may not require buying new textbooks. The same NCERT titles are valid everywhere. The only adjustment may be in school-specific workbooks or activity books that the new school prescribes differently.