Looking for old NCERT books for History, Geography or competitive-exam preparation? This page gives you a carefully organised index of older NCERT textbook titles by class and subject, along with practical guidance on choosing an edition, using older books alongside the current syllabus, finding Hindi editions and locating physical copies.
The collection below currently covers 16 older History and Geography titles identified for Classes 6 to 12. These books are best treated as reference material. Students studying for current school examinations should use the latest prescribed textbooks first and consult an older edition only when they need additional background or want to compare how a topic was presented previously.
Important: An old NCERT textbook is not automatically a current syllabus book. NCERT has described older editions as obsolete while introducing newer textbooks under the latest curriculum framework. For current textbooks, use the official NCERT eBooks portal or our NCERT Books hub.
On this page
- Old NCERT books PDF list
- Old NCERT History books
- Old NCERT Geography books
- Using old NCERT books for UPSC preparation
- Old NCERT books in Hindi PDF
- Old NCERT vs current NCERT
- How to get old NCERT books online
- How to buy old NCERT books
- How to identify the correct old edition
- Frequently asked questions
Old NCERT Books PDF List
The table below brings the available titles into one place instead of mixing different classes and subjects. Use the class, subject, book title and author columns to confirm that you are opening the book you actually need.
If you are searching specifically for an old NCERT books PDF, check the title carefully before downloading. Several historical NCERT books have similar names, and books from different curriculum periods should not be treated as interchangeable.
| Class | Subject | Book title | Author / publisher | Language | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | History | Ancient Indian History | Romila Thapar | English | Download PDF |
| 7 | History | Medieval Indian History | Romila Thapar | English | Download PDF |
| 10 | History | The Story of Civilization – Part I | Arjun Dev | English | Download PDF |
| 10 | History | The Story of Civilization – Part II | Arjun Dev | English | Download PDF |
| 11 | History | Ancient Indian History | R. S. Sharma | English | Download PDF |
| 11 | History | Ancient Indian History | Makkhan Lal | English | Download PDF |
| 6 | Geography | Lands and Peoples – Part I | NCERT | English | Download PDF |
| 7 | Geography | Lands and Peoples – Part II | NCERT | English | Download PDF |
| 8 | Geography | Lands and Peoples – Part III | NCERT | English | Download PDF |
| 9 | Geography | Understanding Environment | NCERT | English | Download PDF |
| 10 | Geography | India Economic Geography | NCERT | English | Download PDF |
| 10 | Geography | Geography of India | NCERT | English | Download PDF |
| 10 | Geography | Economic and Commercial Geography of India | NCERT | English | Download PDF |
| 11 | Geography | Principles of Geography – Part I | NCERT | English | Download PDF |
| 11 | Geography | Physical Basis of Geography | NCERT | English | Download PDF |
| 12 | Geography | India: Resources and Regional Development | NCERT | English | Download PDF |
Collection scope: This table is a curated list of the 16 archival History and Geography titles currently indexed on this page. It should not be interpreted as a catalogue of every NCERT textbook ever published.
Old NCERT History Books
Old NCERT History books are usually searched by readers who want earlier treatments of Ancient, Medieval and later historical periods. The six History entries in the table above span Classes 6, 7, 10 and 11 and include books associated with Romila Thapar, Arjun Dev, R. S. Sharma and Makkhan Lal.
When searching for NCERT History old books, do not rely on the class number alone. Note the full title and author because more than one older History textbook can be associated with the same class or broad period.
History titles available on this page
- Class 6: Ancient Indian History — Romila Thapar
- Class 7: Medieval Indian History — Romila Thapar
- Class 10: The Story of Civilization, Part I — Arjun Dev
- Class 10: The Story of Civilization, Part II — Arjun Dev
- Class 11: Ancient Indian History — R. S. Sharma
- Class 11: Ancient Indian History — Makkhan Lal
Older History textbooks can be useful for background reading, chronology and comparing interpretations, but they should not automatically replace newer textbooks or the current syllabus prescribed for a school or examination.
Old NCERT Geography Books
The Geography collection ranges from introductory regional material to physical and economic geography. Students can progress from the Lands and Peoples series to older books dealing with India’s geography, economic geography and physical geography.
For exam preparation, it is more useful to choose a book according to the topic you are studying than to read every old edition from beginning to end.
| If you are studying | Useful title to check |
|---|---|
| Introductory regional geography | Lands and Peoples Parts I, II and III |
| Environmental foundations | Understanding Environment |
| Indian geography | Geography of India |
| Economic geography | India Economic Geography |
| Commerce and spatial economic activity | Economic and Commercial Geography of India |
| Geographical principles | Principles of Geography Part I |
| Physical geography | Physical Basis of Geography |
| Resources and regional development | India: Resources and Regional Development |
How to Use Old NCERT Books for UPSC Preparation
Searches for old NCERT books for UPSC are common because aspirants often want a simple foundation before moving to advanced sources. The safest approach is to use old editions selectively rather than assuming that every older textbook is essential.
- Start from the UPSC syllabus. Identify the topic you actually need to study before selecting a textbook.
- Build the basic framework first. Use NCERT material to understand chronology, terminology, geography and broad concepts.
- Compare old and current editions where useful. An older explanation may add context, but current facts, terminology, boundaries, data and policy information should be checked against up-to-date sources.
- Make topic-wise notes. Avoid copying an entire textbook into your notes. Extract only information connected to the syllabus.
- Use current sources for dynamic subjects. Economic statistics, environmental policy, demographic information, political arrangements and similar details can become outdated.
UPSC does not require candidates to use one specific commercial list of old textbooks. Treat these books as supplementary learning resources and choose them according to the syllabus and your own preparation gaps.
Old NCERT Books in Hindi PDF
Many readers search for old NCERT books in Hindi PDF. Language needs to be checked independently from the title because an English and Hindi edition may have different filenames, publication details or availability.
The download collection on this page is currently labelled English. We do not label a file as a Hindi edition until its language and title have been verified. This prevents an English PDF, a translated scan or a different edition from being incorrectly presented as an official Hindi textbook.
For currently published Hindi textbooks, visit the official NCERT eBooks section. If an older Hindi edition is required, search using the exact Hindi title, class, author and publication period and verify those details before relying on the file.
Old NCERT vs Current NCERT: Which Should You Read?
| Purpose | Old NCERT edition | Current NCERT edition |
|---|---|---|
| Current CBSE school syllabus | Use only as supplementary reading | Preferred |
| Understanding how a topic was explained earlier | Useful | Useful for comparison |
| Current facts, statistics and policy | May be outdated | Prefer the latest available edition |
| Historical background reading | Can be useful | Also useful |
| Board examination preparation | Not a substitute for prescribed books | Follow the currently prescribed textbook |
| Competitive-exam foundation | Use selectively | Use alongside the current syllabus and sources |
NCERT issued a notice in 2025 concerning stocks of textbooks that had become obsolete following the introduction of newer curriculum-aligned books. You can read the official NCERT notice on obsolete textbooks.
How to Get Old NCERT Books Online
If you are wondering how to get old NCERT books online, start by identifying the exact edition rather than searching only for “old NCERT”. Write down the class, subject, title, author, language and approximate publication period.
- Check whether the required book is included in the verified table on this page.
- For current editions, search the official NCERT digital textbook collection.
- For an older edition, check libraries, authorised archives and legitimate booksellers.
- Compare the title page of the copy you find with the edition you intended to study.
- Avoid assuming that any file carrying “NCERT” in its filename is authentic or complete.
How to get old NCERT books without choosing the wrong edition
Before downloading or purchasing a copy, verify at least these details:
- NCERT is shown as the publisher where applicable.
- The full textbook title matches your requirement.
- The author or editorial attribution matches the intended edition.
- The class and subject are correct.
- The language is clearly identified.
- The PDF includes the opening publication pages rather than starting midway through the book.
- Pages are not missing, duplicated or unreadable.
How to Buy Old NCERT Books
Readers also ask how to buy old NCERT books and how to buy old NCERT books online. Because many historical editions are no longer the current textbook, availability can be very different from that of newly published NCERT books.
For publications that NCERT currently sells, use the official NCERT book distribution portal or an authorised NCERT bookseller. Older or obsolete editions may not be available through normal current-stock channels.
For an out-of-print title, used-book stores, academic libraries and second-hand marketplaces may sometimes have physical copies. Before paying, ask the seller for photographs of the cover, title page, copyright/publication page and contents page. That makes it much easier to confirm the edition.
Where can I get old NCERT books?
Depending on the title, you may find them through:
- the downloadable collection on this page, when a verified and authorised file is available;
- school, college or public libraries with older textbook collections;
- second-hand academic bookshops;
- used-book marketplaces;
- NCERT-authorised vendors when residual physical stock exists; or
- institutional textbook archives.
Do not pay a premium simply because a seller labels a book “rare” or “old NCERT”. Verify the edition and condition first.
How to Check Whether an Old NCERT PDF Is the Right Book
Two PDFs with similar filenames can represent different editions. Before studying from an old textbook, open the first few pages and confirm the bibliographic information.
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Title | Confirms that the file is the intended textbook rather than a similarly named guide. |
| Author | Helps distinguish different treatments of the same historical period. |
| Publisher | Helps identify whether the copy is an NCERT publication. |
| Edition / reprint year | Shows which version of the book you are reading. |
| Language | Prevents an incorrectly labelled translation from being downloaded. |
| Contents | Lets you check whether the expected chapters are present. |
| Page sequence | Helps detect incomplete scans. |
Are Old NCERT Books Still Useful?
Yes, but their usefulness depends on what you are trying to accomplish. An older History book may be useful when you want a different narrative structure or additional context. An older Geography book may help explain foundational concepts. However, details that change with time should always be checked against newer material.
For school students, the current prescribed textbook should remain the primary resource. For competitive-exam aspirants, older books can be one part of a broader reading plan rather than an automatic replacement for current NCERTs, official data and the examination syllabus.
A Simple Study Plan
- Read the current syllabus first. Know what the exam expects.
- Choose one relevant NCERT book. Do not download every available title just because it is old.
- Read topic by topic. Connect each chapter with the syllabus.
- Mark information that may have changed. Statistics, administrative boundaries, economic data and policies require current verification.
- Prepare concise notes. Record concepts, chronology, causes, effects, maps and terms.
- Revise from your notes. Return to the textbook only when a concept remains unclear.
Frequently Asked Questions About Old NCERT Books
What are old NCERT books?
The term generally refers to previous editions of textbooks published by NCERT that are no longer the newest edition being used for the current curriculum. Different users may use “old NCERT” for books from different curriculum periods, so the title and publication details should always be checked.
Where can I get old NCERT books?
You can check verified digital collections, libraries, institutional archives, second-hand bookshops and used-book marketplaces. For current NCERT publications, use NCERT’s official website and authorised distribution channels.
How can I get old NCERT books online?
Search using the exact class, subject, book title, author and language. If a PDF is available, verify its title and publication pages before using it. For current textbooks, the official NCERT eBooks portal is the preferred source.
Can I download old NCERT books PDF files?
Where an authorised digital copy is available, you can use the corresponding download link. Make sure the PDF is complete and that the source is permitted to distribute it. Avoid unverified files simply labelled as an NCERT textbook.
Are old NCERT History books useful for UPSC?
They can be useful for building historical background and chronology, but they are supplementary resources. Preparation should remain aligned with the current UPSC syllabus and current authoritative sources.
Are old NCERT books better than new NCERT books?
Not necessarily. They serve different purposes. Older editions may provide additional background or a different style of explanation, while current textbooks are more appropriate for the present curriculum. For school examinations, follow the edition prescribed for your academic session.
Are old NCERT books in Hindi PDF available?
Some older textbooks were published in Hindi, but availability differs by title and edition. This page only labels a file as Hindi after its language and edition have been verified. For currently published Hindi textbooks, check the official NCERT eBooks portal.
How can I buy old NCERT books online?
Check the official NCERT distribution portal for current or available stock. For out-of-print editions, search reputable used-book sellers and ask for photographs of the title and publication pages before purchasing.
Should CBSE students study from old NCERT books?
Use the textbook currently prescribed for your class as the primary resource. Old editions may be read for additional explanation or comparison, but they should not replace the current syllabus book.
Are these books useful only for History?
No. Older NCERT editions exist across many subjects. The verified collection on this page currently focuses on selected History and Geography titles.
Official NCERT Resources
Use these official resources whenever you need to verify current textbooks, availability or publication status:
- NCERT eBooks and textbook PDFs
- NCERT book distribution portal
- NCERT notice concerning obsolete textbooks
- NCERT Books by class and subject on ncerttextbooks.com
Editorial note: Older editions are listed for educational reference and historical study. Availability of an old book does not mean that it is part of the current CBSE or NCERT curriculum. Always check the latest syllabus and prescribed textbook before preparing for a school examination.
Page reviewed: .