Schools, Delhi
School books and uniforms in Delhi
Most Delhi schools sell the book set and the uniform through a tie-up shop or a stall on campus. Delhi’s rule says that is a convenience, not an obligation: you can buy the same things anywhere, and Old Delhi’s book and stationery markets are often cheaper.
What the rules say in Delhi
Under the Delhi Directorate of Education order, 1 April 2026:
Any shop will do
A private school in Delhi can't make you buy books, uniform or stationery from one vendor, its own counter included. If the same book is cheaper down the road, buy it there.
SourceThe list comes first
Before the session starts, the school has to put the class-wise book list and the uniform details on its website and notice board, with the names and numbers of at least five nearby shops that stock them.
SourceNothing extra
Only books from the prescribed curriculum. A school can't push "recommended" extras on you.
SourceThree years per uniform
Once a uniform is fixed, its colour and design can't change for at least three years.
SourceEWS and DG seats
Children admitted on EWS, DG or CWSN seats get books and writing material free. Since a Delhi High Court ruling in January 2026, the uniform can come as money paid to the family instead of the uniform itself.
SourceAnd for CBSE schools anywhere:
Schools aren't shops
CBSE says affiliated schools must not push parents to buy books, notebooks, uniforms, shoes or bags on campus or from chosen vendors.
SourceBuy genuine NCERT books
Fake NCERT books turn up in NCR every season. In November 2025 CBSE asked schools to tell parents to buy only from NCERT's own outlets, vendors on the NCERT website, or NCERT's Amazon store.
SourceWhere people buy
Nai Sarak
The textbook street. Shop after shop of school and college books, new and second-hand, with stationery-only shops in between. Bring the school's list and ask two or three shops for the full set before you pay.
Sunday Book Market, Mahila Haat
The old Daryaganj pavement market, now inside Mahila Haat. Mostly second-hand, so school textbooks are hit and miss, but good for reference books and readers at a fraction of the price.
Chawri Bazar
Paper country. Chart paper, card, craft sheets and notebooks in bulk, which matters when a project list says "20 sheets".
Sadar Bazaar
Delhi's big wholesale market. Stationery, lunch boxes and bottles at wholesale rates, if you can handle the crowd.
Kamla Nagar
Next to North Campus, with booksellers along Bungalow Road. The stock leans towards college and exam books, but stationery is easy here.
Shops we have checked
No shops checked here yet. We list a shop only after visiting it, phoning it or finding it on a school's own vendor list. Run one? Send us your details.
Uniforms
There is no uniform market as such: each school’s uniform is made by one or two tailors or shops, and the school tells you who they are. Ask the school for the exact specification (colour code, fabric, logo). With that, any good tailor can make it, and the rules say the design can’t change for three years.
If the school insists
- Ask the school for the book list and shop list in writing. The rules say it should already be on the school's website. Often that alone settles it.
- The DoE Private School Branch helpline. Call 9818154069 on working days, 9 am to 6 pm. The order also names a nodal officer in every district and zone. Source
- For a CBSE school, also the board. CBSE Regional Office, Delhi East and West. Addresses