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ICSE Books PDF – Complete Guide for Class 6 to 10 (2025-26)

If you are looking for ICSE books PDF for Class 6 to 10, you are in the right place. This page brings together all the prescribed textbooks, publisher details, and chapter-wise solutions recommended for students studying under the CISCE board. Whether you need the Selina Concise series, ML Aggarwal Mathematics, or Frank’s Chemistry — every subject is covered here by class.

The Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) is a national-level Class 10 examination conducted by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE). CISCE also conducts the ISC (Class 12) and ICSE Class 6–9 internal examinations. The official website for all CISCE notifications, syllabuses, and specimen papers is cisce.org.

Unlike CBSE, CISCE does not prescribe NCERT textbooks. ICSE schools follow publishers like Selina Publishers, ML Aggarwal (APC Books), Frank Educational Aids, S. Chand, and Oxford University Press, among others. The exact textbook used can vary slightly by school, but the ones listed below are the most widely used across ICSE-affiliated schools in India.


Why Choosing the Right ICSE Textbook Matters

The ICSE syllabus is detailed and concept-heavy compared to many state boards. The textbooks prescribed for ICSE are written specifically to match the CISCE curriculum — they use the exact terminology, diagram styles, and question formats that appear in board exams.

Using a non-prescribed or mismatched textbook, especially for subjects like Chemistry, Biology, or History, can mean missing key topics or learning definitions that don’t match what the board expects. For Class 10 board exam preparation, always cross-check your textbook against the CISCE syllabus 2026-27 available on cisce.org.

For Maths especially, many students ask whether Selina or ML Aggarwal is better. The honest answer: both are excellent. Selina Concise Maths is lighter and faster to finish; ML Aggarwal goes deeper with more practice questions. Many toppers use Selina as the base and ML Aggarwal for extra practice — particularly for topics like Similarity, Circles, and Statistics which carry heavy weightage in the Class 10 board paper.

Also note: for Group I and II subjects in Class 10, the external board exam carries 80 marks and internal assessment carries 20 marks. Group III subjects (like Physical Education or Art) follow a 50+50 pattern. Passing marks are 33% in each subject, as per CISCE rules.


ICSE Books PDF – Class 6

Class 6 is where the ICSE curriculum starts introducing structured subject learning. The language is simpler, but the concepts build the foundation for Classes 9 and 10. Here are the commonly prescribed books:

Subject Prescribed Textbook Publisher
Mathematics Concise Mathematics Middle School – Class 6 Selina Publishers
Physics Concise Physics Middle School – Class 6 Selina Publishers
Chemistry Concise Chemistry Middle School – Class 6 Selina Publishers
Biology Concise Biology Middle School – Class 6 Selina Publishers
English Language Treasure Chest / English Grammar in Context Morning Star / Xavier’s
History & Civics Total History & Civics – Class 6 Morning Star
Geography Voyage – A Complete Course in Geography Morning Star

📄 PDF Coming Soon | Selina Solutions › Class 6


ICSE Books PDF – Class 7

Class 7 introduces more abstract thinking in Maths and begins building the science vocabulary that appears directly in Class 9-10 board questions. Selina’s Middle School series remains the go-to for science subjects.

Subject Prescribed Textbook Publisher
Mathematics Concise Mathematics Middle School – Class 7 Selina Publishers
Physics Concise Physics Middle School – Class 7 Selina Publishers
Chemistry Concise Chemistry Middle School – Class 7 Selina Publishers
Biology Concise Biology Middle School – Class 7 Selina Publishers
English Language English Grammar & Composition S. Chand / Xavier’s
History & Civics Total History & Civics – Class 7 Morning Star
Geography Voyage – A Complete Course in Geography Morning Star

📄 PDF Coming Soon | Selina Solutions › Class 7


ICSE Books PDF – Class 8

Class 8 is a transition year. Topics like Algebraic Identities, Linear Equations, Sound, and Metals & Non-Metals in this class directly reappear in Class 10 board exams in more advanced forms. Solving every exercise in your Class 8 textbook carefully will save you revision time later.

Subject Prescribed Textbook Publisher
Mathematics Concise Mathematics Middle School – Class 8 Selina Publishers
Physics Concise Physics Middle School – Class 8 Selina Publishers
Chemistry Concise Chemistry Middle School – Class 8 Selina Publishers
Biology Concise Biology Middle School – Class 8 Selina Publishers
English Literature Treasure Trove (Stories & Poems) Morning Star
History & Civics Total History & Civics – Class 8 Morning Star
Geography Voyage Geography – Class 8 Morning Star

📄 PDF Coming Soon | Selina Solutions › Class 8


ICSE Books PDF – Class 9

Class 9 is where ICSE gets serious. The syllabus expands significantly — Physics, Chemistry, and Biology split into detailed chapters, Maths introduces Trigonometry and Coordinate Geometry, and English Literature adds plays and novels to the mix. Getting the right textbook from Day 1 matters a great deal here.

Most ICSE schools recommend the Selina Concise series for all science subjects and either Selina or ML Aggarwal for Mathematics. For History & Civics and Geography, Morning Star’s titles and Frank’s publications are widely used. Below is a subject-wise overview:

Subject Prescribed Textbook Publisher
Mathematics Concise Mathematics – Class 9 / Understanding ICSE Maths Class 9 Selina / ML Aggarwal (APC)
Physics Concise Physics – Class 9 Selina Publishers
Chemistry Concise Chemistry – Class 9 Selina Publishers
Biology Concise Biology – Class 9 Selina Publishers
English Language English Language (Wren & Martin / Xavier’s) S. Chand / Xavier’s
English Literature Treasure Trove – Poems & Short Stories Morning Star
History & Civics Total History & Civics / A New Certamen Morning Star / Frank
Geography A Complete Course in Geography (ICSE) Morning Star
Computer Applications Computer Applications with BlueJ – Class 9 Sumita Arora / APC

Class 9 Maths: Selina vs ML Aggarwal – Which Should You Use?

For Class 9, Selina Concise Maths covers every topic in the CISCE syllabus cleanly and concisely. ML Aggarwal’s Understanding ICSE Mathematics provides more varied problems — especially for chapters like Pythagoras Theorem, Factorisation, and Statistics. If your school provides one, follow that first, then use the other for extra practice.

One practical tip: Class 9 marks do not count toward your ICSE board result, but your school may use Class 9 performance for internal assessments that carry 20 marks into Class 10. So don’t treat it lightly.


ICSE Books PDF – Class 10

Class 10 is the board exam year. The ICSE Class 10 exam (February–March 2026 as per the latest CISCE schedule) carries 80 marks externally per subject, with 20 marks from school-based internal assessment. Approximately 2.6 lakh students appeared for the ICSE Class 10 exam in 2026.

For Class 10, every word in your prescribed textbook is exam-relevant. Chapter introductions, boxed definitions, labelled diagrams, and end-of-chapter exercises — all of it. Below is a detailed list of the most commonly prescribed Class 10 textbooks across ICSE schools:

Subject Prescribed Textbook Publisher
Mathematics Concise Mathematics – Class 10 / Understanding ICSE Maths Class 10 Selina / ML Aggarwal (APC)
Physics Concise Physics – Class 10 Selina Publishers
Chemistry Concise Chemistry – Class 10 Selina Publishers
Biology Concise Biology – Class 10 Selina Publishers
English Language English Language (Coursebook) Xavier’s / S. Chand
English Literature Treasure Trove – Poems & Short Stories / Prescribed Novel/Play Morning Star
History & Civics Total History & Civics Class 10 / A New Certamen Morning Star / Frank
Geography A Complete Course in Geography (ICSE) – Class 10 Morning Star
Computer Applications Computer Applications with BlueJ – Class 10 Sumita Arora / APC
Commercial Studies ICSE Commercial Studies – Class 10 Frank / Evergreen
Economics ICSE Economics – Class 10 Frank / APC

Class 10 Maths: Key Chapters to Focus On

Based on the CISCE syllabus 2026-27, the high-weightage chapters in Class 10 Mathematics include:

  • Similarity (Theorem-based) — often 6–8 marks in the board paper
  • Circles (Tangents, Chords, Arcs) — theory and numericals both appear
  • Statistics (Mean, Median, Mode, Ogive) — consistent marks every year
  • Mensuration (Solids) — cone, cylinder, sphere combinations
  • Coordinate Geometry (Section Formula, Equation of a Line)
  • Trigonometry (Heights & Distances, Identities)

Solve every exercise in your textbook at least once, then revisit the past 5 years of ICSE board papers. The question patterns repeat more often than most students realise.

Class 10 Science: How to Use the Selina Books Effectively

The Selina Concise series for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology is structured to match the CISCE exam format exactly. Each chapter ends with structured questions that mimic board exam question types — short answers, diagram-based, and numerical problems. Work through these in order, and do not skip the “Multiple Choice Questions” at the start — they test conceptual clarity quickly.

For Chemistry, pay special attention to the chapter on Analytical Chemistry (Confirmatory Tests) — it is brief but reliably tested in the board exam. For Biology, chapter diagrams with accurate labelling are worth practising separately, since diagram-based questions in the board paper carry dedicated marks.


ICSE Syllabus 2026-27: What Has Changed?

As per the latest CISCE notification, the ICSE syllabus for 2026-27 has been released with NO reduction. Students moving into Class 10 in 2026-27 should not assume any syllabus cuts are in effect. Always download the current syllabus directly from cisce.org before starting your preparation.

One important change: CISCE has discontinued compartment exams. Students who do not meet the passing criteria now appear for improvement exams (held in July 2026) instead. This makes it even more important to be fully prepared before sitting for the main February–March exam.


Where to Find ICSE Textbook Solutions

Having the textbook is the first step. Understanding the solutions — especially for Maths and Science — is what converts reading into exam marks. On icseboard.org, we have prepared detailed chapter-wise solutions for the most widely used ICSE textbooks, written in the format that board examiners expect.

These solutions follow the step-marking pattern used in ICSE board papers. For Maths especially, showing the right steps — not just the final answer — is where most students lose marks. Our solutions demonstrate exactly which steps to write and how to present working clearly.


Smart Study Tips for ICSE Students

These are the tips that actually help — not generic advice, but things that experienced ICSE teachers recommend to their students every year:

  1. Always work from the prescribed textbook first. Reference books come later. Your board paper is set based on the CISCE syllabus, and the prescribed textbook is the most direct path to that syllabus.
  2. Don’t skip specimen papers. CISCE releases specimen papers for Class 10 on cisce.org. These show the exact question format, section breakdown, and marks distribution. Many students study hard but don’t look at the specimen paper until too late.
  3. Revise definitions and laws verbatim. In Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, ICSE examiners award marks for specific keywords in definitions. Paraphrasing a definition incorrectly — even if your understanding is right — can cost you marks.
  4. Practice diagrams weekly. Biology diagrams, Physics circuit diagrams, and Geography map work all require regular practice. Doing them once and forgetting doesn’t work.
  5. For Maths, write every step. ICSE Maths papers are step-marked. A wrong final answer with correct working can still earn partial marks. A correct answer with no working shown earns zero.
  6. For History & Civics and Geography, make topic-wise notes. These subjects have a lot of factual content. Students who create one-page summaries per chapter consistently perform better in the 80-mark paper.

About CISCE and ICSE – Key Facts for Students and Parents

Detail Information
Full form of ICSE Indian Certificate of Secondary Education
Full form of CISCE Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations
Official website cisce.org
ICSE is for Class 10
ISC is for Class 12
ICSE 2026 exam dates February 17 to March 30, 2026
Exam mode Pen-and-paper (offline)
Passing marks 33% in each subject
External marks (most subjects) 80 marks
Internal marks (most subjects) 20 marks
Students appeared (2026) Approximately 2.6 lakh
Textbook publishers Selina, ML Aggarwal, Frank, Morning Star, S. Chand
NCERT books prescribed? No — ICSE does NOT use NCERT textbooks

Conclusion – Start with the Right Book, Right Now

The right textbook, used consistently, is the single most important resource for any ICSE student. Whether you are in Class 6 building your foundation or in Class 10 preparing for the board exam, the books listed on this page are the ones your syllabus is built around.

Use this page as your home base. Bookmark it, return to it whenever you need the PDF links or chapter-wise solutions, and always cross-check your preparation against the CISCE syllabus published on cisce.org.

Ready to get started? Pick your class below and go straight to the solutions and resources you need:

❓ Frequently Asked Questions


ICSE stands for Indian Certificate of Secondary Education. It is a Class 10 examination conducted by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE). The official CISCE website is cisce.org, where you can find the latest syllabus, specimen papers, and exam timetables.


No. ICSE does not prescribe NCERT textbooks. ICSE schools use books published by Selina Publishers, ML Aggarwal (APC Books), Frank Educational Aids, Morning Star, S. Chand, and Oxford University Press, depending on the subject and class. Always check with your school for the exact prescribed title.


Both are excellent and widely used. Selina Concise Mathematics covers the full CISCE syllabus in a structured format and is lighter to finish. ML Aggarwal’s Understanding ICSE Mathematics offers more practice questions, especially for complex chapters. Many students use Selina as their primary textbook and ML Aggarwal for additional practice.


This page provides direct PDF download links for ICSE textbooks from Class 6 to 10. Click the download link next to your class and subject above. Note that some textbooks are commercially published, so only legally available or school-provided PDFs should be used. The official CISCE syllabus document is freely downloadable from cisce.org.


As per CISCE rules, students must score at least 33% in each subject to pass ICSE Class 10. For Group I and II subjects, the exam is out of 80 marks (external) plus 20 marks (internal). Students need to clear both components. Compartment exams have been discontinued; improvement exams are now held in July instead.


The ICSE Class 10 board examination for 2026 is scheduled from February 17 to March 30, 2026. It is conducted in pen-and-paper (offline) mode. The detailed timetable is published on cisce.org. Approximately 2.6 lakh students appeared for the ICSE Class 10 exam in 2026.


No. As per the latest CISCE notification, the ICSE syllabus for 2026-27 has been released with no reduction. Students should prepare for the complete syllabus. Always download the current syllabus from cisce.org to confirm the topics covered in your specific subject and class.


Yes. On icseboard.org, chapter-wise Selina solutions are available for Class 6 through Class 10 across subjects including Maths, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Each solution is written in the step-marking format expected by ICSE board examiners, so you can see exactly how to present your answers.