Best Books for CBSE Class 10 — Subject-Wise Recommendations 2026
Best books for CBSE Class 10 board exam 2026 — subject-wise recommendations for Maths, Science, English, SST, and Hindi. NCERT + reference books for 90%+ marks.
NCERT is the most important book for CBSE Class 10 — 95%+ questions come from NCERT. Beyond NCERT, you need at most 1 reference book per weak subject + official sample papers.
Mathematics
| Book | Best For | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| NCERT Mathematics | Foundation — must complete 100% | Essential — do every exercise |
| RD Sharma | Extra practice, question variety | Best reference for 95%+ target |
| RS Aggarwal | Exam-focused, concise | Good if you want less volume |
| Oswaal Sample Papers | Exam pattern practice | Excellent for last 2 months |
Science
| Book | Best For | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| NCERT Science | All board questions from here | Essential — read every line |
| Lakhmir Singh & Manjit Kaur | MCQs, numericals, diagrams | Best Science reference |
| 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 |
| Wren & Martin (Elementary) | Grammar practice | Best grammar book |
Chapter-wise practice without extra books
Super Tutor has CBSE Class 10 practice questions for every chapter — aligned with NCERT, with instant feedback.
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| Book | Verdict |
|---|---|
| NCERT (all 4 books) | Essential and SUFFICIENT — nothing else needed |
| Map Practice Book | Map work = 5 easy marks. Practise daily. |
Hindi
| Book | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Kshitij / Sparsh (NCERT) | Essential — main textbook |
| Kritika / Sanchayan (NCERT) | Essential — 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 | 3 months before exam |
| 3 | Previous year papers (last 5 years) | 2 months before exam |
| 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.
- Previous edition books. Ensure books match the 2025–2026 syllabus.
NCERT textbooks are free to download from ncert.nic.in. Sample papers are free on cbseacademic.nic.in. You can score 90%+ with just these free resources.
Recommendations based on CBSE 2025–2026 syllabus. Always verify that books match the current syllabus before purchasing. Last updated: February 2026.
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Start preparing — freeFrequently Asked Questions
Is NCERT enough for CBSE Class 10?
Yes, NCERT is 100% sufficient for 90%+. Over 95% of board questions come from NCERT. Reference books help with extra practice but are not required. Focus on NCERT + sample papers if time is limited.
Which Maths book is best apart from NCERT?
RD Sharma for detailed practice (best for 95%+ target) or RS Aggarwal for concise exam-focused practice. Choose ONE, not both. For most students, NCERT + sample papers is sufficient.
Do I need separate Science reference books?
Lakhmir Singh & Manjit Kaur is the most popular Science reference — has MCQs and numericals. But NCERT Science covers everything for boards. Reference is only for extra practice.
Which book for Social Science?
NCERT is the ONLY book you need. Board questions are taken directly from NCERT, sometimes word-for-word. Do NOT buy SST reference books. Read NCERT 3 times + practise maps + solve PYQs.
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.