Best Books for CBSE Class 10 — Subject-Wise Recommendations
Best books for the CBSE Class 10 Board exams 2027: NCERT first, then subject-wise reference books for Maths, Science, English, SST and Hindi.
NCERT is the most important book for CBSE Class 10 — most board questions are built on it. Beyond NCERT, add the official CBSE sample papers and recent board papers, and at most one reference book for each weak subject.
Mathematics
| Book | Best For | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| NCERT Mathematics | Foundation — must complete 100% | Essential — do every exercise |
| NCERT Exemplar | Harder, application-based questions | Recommended after NCERT |
| RD Sharma | Extra practice, question variety | Good if you want lots of practice |
| RS Aggarwal | Exam-focused, concise | Good if you want less volume |
| CBSE sample papers (2026-27) | The exact 2027 pattern | Essential in the last few months |
Science
| Book | Best For | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| NCERT Science | The board syllabus | Essential — read every line |
| NCERT Exemplar Science | Harder application questions | Recommended |
| Lakhmir Singh & Manjit Kaur | MCQs, numericals, diagrams | Popular reference for extra practice |
| Xam Idea Science | Chapter-wise + sample papers | All-in-one option |
English
| Book | Best For | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| First Flight (NCERT) | Prose and Poetry | Essential |
| Footprints Without Feet (NCERT) | Supplementary reader | Essential — questions from here too |
| A grammar practice book (such as Wren & Martin) | Grammar practice | Useful for the 10-mark grammar section |
Chapter-wise practice without extra books
Super Tutor has CBSE Class 10 chapter-wise practice quizzes and revision notes, aligned with NCERT.
Start freeSocial Science
| Book | Verdict |
|---|---|
| NCERT (all 4 books) | Essential — the core of the syllabus |
| Map practice book or atlas | Map work is 5 marks (History 2, Geography 3). Practise the prescribed items. |
Hindi
| Book | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Hindi A: Kshitij and Kritika (NCERT) | Essential — main textbook and supplementary reader |
| Hindi B: Sparsh and Sanchayan (NCERT) | Essential — main textbook and supplementary reader |
| Hindi Vyakaran book | Helpful for grammar, letter, essay |
Study Priority Order
| Priority | Material | When |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | NCERT textbooks — complete all exercises | Throughout the year |
| 2 | CBSE official sample papers | From December |
| 3 | Recent board papers (2024–2026 first) | From January |
| 4 | Reference book (weak subjects only) | For weak chapters |
Books to Avoid
- Multiple reference books per subject. One is enough.
- "Guess papers" or "sure shot" books. Solve official sample papers instead.
- Old editions. Make sure books match the 2026-27 syllabus, and skip topics that have been removed.
NCERT textbooks are free to download from ncert.nic.in. Sample papers are free on cbseacademic.nic.in. Many students do very well with just these free resources.
Book suggestions are general guidance, not endorsements. Check that any book matches the CBSE 2026-27 syllabus before buying.
Turn this into exam marks
Super Tutor gives you chapter summaries, revision notes, practice quizzes and an AI doubt solver matched to your board syllabus — so you revise smarter, not longer.
Start freeFrequently Asked Questions
Is NCERT enough for CBSE Class 10?
NCERT is the base, and most board questions are built on it. Because half of each paper is competency-based, add the CBSE sample papers, recent board papers and NCERT Exemplar for application practice. A reference book is optional — useful for extra practice in weak subjects.
Which Maths book is best apart from NCERT?
NCERT Exemplar is the natural next step. RD Sharma (lots of practice) and RS Aggarwal (more concise) are popular reference books — choose one, not both, and skip any topics no longer in the 2026-27 syllabus, such as constructions.
Do I need separate Science reference books?
Not necessarily. NCERT Science and NCERT Exemplar cover the board syllabus. Lakhmir Singh & Manjit Kaur is a popular reference for extra MCQs and numericals if you want more practice.
Which book for Social Science?
The four NCERT books are the core. Read them closely, practise the prescribed map items and solve recent board papers. A reference book is rarely needed.
Sample papers or reference books first?
Sample papers first. Priority: NCERT → CBSE official sample papers → Previous year papers → Reference book (only for weak chapters). Sample papers teach exam pattern; reference books give topic practice.
How many books should I study?
NCERT (compulsory) + 1 reference per weak subject + sample papers = 7-8 books total. Better to complete 1 book thoroughly than start 3 and finish none.