The best place to buy second hand books in Delhi is the Daryaganj Sunday Book Bazaar, which now runs every Sunday at Mahila Haat near Delhi Gate Metro. For used school and college textbooks on any weekday, go to Nai Sarak in Chandni Chowk. UPSC and competitive exam aspirants usually get the best used books in Mukherjee Nagar and Ber Sarai.
Each market is good for different things. If you go to the wrong one, or on the wrong day, you can lose half a day in Old Delhi traffic and come home empty-handed. This guide tells you which market suits your needs, when to go, what you can expect to pay and how to avoid fake copies.
Quick Overview: Best Places for Second Hand Books in Delhi
| Place | Best For | Open | Nearest Metro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daryaganj Sunday Book Bazaar (Mahila Haat) | Novels, classics, rare and imported books, magazines | Sundays only, about 9 AM to evening | Delhi Gate (Violet Line) |
| Nai Sarak, Chandni Chowk | School, college and reference textbooks | Monday to Saturday (closed Sunday) | Chandni Chowk / Chawri Bazar (Yellow Line) |
| Mukherjee Nagar and Old Rajinder Nagar | UPSC, SSC, banking and state PCS books and notes | Most days | GTB Nagar (Yellow Line) / Rajendra Place (Blue Line) |
| Ber Sarai Market | UPSC, research, JNU and IIT reference books | Most days | RK Puram (Magenta Line) |
| Kamla Nagar and Hudson Lane | DU course books, used novels | Most days | Vishwavidyalaya (Yellow Line) |
| Janpath and Connaught Place | Used fiction, travel guides, bargain bins | Most days | Janpath / Rajiv Chowk |
| Bookchor, Amazon.in, BookMandee | Specific titles delivered home | Online, anytime | Not applicable |
Quick rule: Go to Mahila Haat on Sunday if you want stories. Go to Nai Sarak on a weekday if you need syllabus books. If you’re preparing for an exam, head to the coaching hubs.
Is the Daryaganj Sunday Book Market Still Open?
Yes, but it’s no longer on the pavement. In 2019, after a Delhi High Court order about traffic on Netaji Subhash Marg, the Sunday market moved into Mahila Haat on Asaf Ali Road, opposite Delite Cinema near Delhi Gate. A lot of people still call it the “Daryaganj Sunday Patri” or the Sunday Kitab Bazaar.
The market dates back to the 1960s and is still Delhi’s biggest second hand book market. On a typical Sunday you’ll find hundreds of sellers. Recent reports put the number at more than 300 booksellers each weekend.
What Can You Buy at Mahila Haat?
- Used English novels, from bestsellers to classics
- Older editions of Penguin, Rupa and Indian literature
- Hindi and Urdu literature, poetry and magazines
- Encyclopedias, quiz books, coffee-table and photography books
- Imported surplus books, comics and children’s picture books
- Some academic and competitive exam books, though Nai Sarak has far more
Daryaganj Book Market Timings and Prices
The market runs on Sundays only. Most sources give opening time as about 9 AM and closing time as 5 PM to 6 PM. Sellers set up at their own pace, so the best time to visit is between 10 AM and 1 PM, when most stalls are open and the good books haven’t been picked over yet.
Typical price ranges reported in 2026:
- Used paperbacks: around ₹50 to ₹200
- Used hardcovers: around ₹150 to ₹400
- Some stalls sell books by weight, starting at around ₹100 per kg
- Bundle deals such as 3 books for ₹200 are common late in the afternoon, when sellers want to clear stock
Rare first editions and collectible titles don’t follow these ranges, so expect to negotiate hard for them.
How to Reach the Sunday Book Market
- Take the Violet Line to Delhi Gate Metro Station.
- Use Gate No. 3.
- Walk 2 to 3 minutes to the Mahila Haat entrance on Asaf Ali Road.
Common mistake: If you ask an auto or e-rickshaw driver for “the book market”, you may end up at Nai Sarak, which is closed on Sundays. Ask for Mahila Haat, Delhi Gate. Check routes and fares on the official Delhi Metro website before you leave.
For a full walkthrough of the old Daryaganj stretch and its history, read our guide to the Nai Sarak and Daryaganj book market.
Where Can I Buy Second Hand College and School Textbooks in Delhi?
Nai Sarak in Chandni Chowk is the best place for second hand textbooks in Delhi. The street runs from Chandni Chowk to Chawri Bazar. It’s one of India’s biggest textbook markets and Delhi’s oldest bookselling hub.
Shops on both sides stock new and used books for:
- CBSE and NCERT school books, including second hand NCERT books
- DU, IP University and Jamia course books
- Engineering, medical, commerce and law references
- CA, CS and CUET guides
- Old question papers and solved guides
Used textbooks here typically sell for 30% to 60% below MRP, depending on condition and edition. New academic books are often discounted too. You also get a better deal if you buy your whole semester list in one bundle.
Nai Sarak is generally open Monday to Saturday, around 11 AM to 7 PM, and closed on Sundays. Get off at Chandni Chowk or Chawri Bazar Metro on the Yellow Line and walk or take a short rickshaw ride.
Pro Tips for Buying Textbooks at Nai Sarak
- Carry your booklist with ISBNs or edition numbers. Shopkeepers find books faster this way, and you’re less likely to be sold an outdated edition.
- Check the edition year against your college syllabus. Universities often change prescribed editions.
- Ask if the shop will buy the book back at the end of the semester. Many shops here buy and sell used textbooks.
- Avoid going in July and August at peak hours if you can. Admission season makes the lanes very crowded.
Nai Sarak and the lanes around Chawri Bazar are also a wholesale hub for notebooks, registers and art supplies. If you need those for the new session as well, see our list of places to buy affordable stationery supplies in Delhi.
Where Can I Buy Second Hand UPSC Books in Delhi?
The best places for used UPSC and competitive exam books are Mukherjee Nagar, Old Rajinder Nagar and Ber Sarai. These neighbourhoods are built around coaching institutes and hostels. Every year, aspirants who finish or quit their preparation sell their books to the next batch.
Mukherjee Nagar and Old Rajinder Nagar
Mukherjee Nagar, near GTB Nagar Metro, is one of the country’s biggest hubs for UPSC, SSC, banking and state civil services preparation. Book shops and photocopy shops here stock:
- Standard books such as Laxmikanth, Spectrum and NCERT sets
- Hindi-medium and English-medium material
- Coaching notes and printed class material
- Slightly used current affairs compilations at a fraction of the cover price
Old Rajinder Nagar, near Rajendra Place Metro, has a similar second hand circuit, aimed mostly at English-medium UPSC aspirants.
Ber Sarai Market
Ber Sarai sits between JNU and IIT Delhi, and the nearest metro station is RK Puram on the Magenta Line. The DDA market here, opposite the old JNU campus road, is known for new and second hand books. You’ll find UPSC references, GATE and IES material, and academic titles that research students look for.
Watch out for outdated material. Current affairs books from more than a year or so ago lose much of their value for the prelims. Buy static subjects second hand, and buy current affairs material fresh or very recent.
Where Can DU Students Find Cheap Used Books Near North Campus?
Kamla Nagar Market and the Hudson Lane stretch are the natural first stop for Delhi University students. They’re a short walk from Vishwavidyalaya Metro on the Yellow Line. Bookshops here sell new and second hand books, including DU course readers and used novels, some starting at around ₹50.
Many seniors also sell complete course sets through college WhatsApp groups and society noticeboards at the end of each semester. It’s often the cheapest option for first-year students, so ask around before you go shopping.
Where Can I Buy Used Novels and Fiction in Central Delhi?
If you can’t wait for Sunday, Janpath and Connaught Place have a few long-running bargain bookshops. One well-known example is the Bargain Book Store in the Janpath market. It specialises in second hand books, and its founder’s family moved it to Delhi after Partition in 1947. Stores like this often run offers such as discounted bundles, or will buy back books you’ve finished.
Pavement stalls along Janpath and around the Connaught Place inner circle also sell used paperbacks. Check these carefully, because you may find pirated copies (see the next section).
Want new bookstores along with used ones? Our roundup of the best places to buy books in Delhi covers both.
Are There Places That Sell Books by the Kilo in Delhi?
Yes. Some stalls at Mahila Haat and a few shops around Daryaganj sell books by weight, usually ₹100 to ₹200 per kg. The price depends on the book’s weight, not its MRP, so thick hardcovers and old encyclopedias are great value.
Bookchor’s “Lock The Box” sale works on a similar idea. You pay a fixed price for a box and keep every book you can fit in it, as long as the box still closes flat. It began in Delhi NCR in 2017 and now also runs online. Box sizes and prices change with each event. At one past event, boxes cost ₹1,199, ₹1,799 and ₹2,999, so check the current prices before you go.
How Do You Spot Fake or Pirated Books at Delhi Markets?
This is a real problem that most guides don’t mention. Pirated copies of popular novels and exam books are sold alongside real used books at some stalls. They’re cheap, but the print is often blurred, pages can be missing, and they fall apart quickly.
Check these five things before you pay:
- Print quality: Look for blurry text, faded images or uneven ink. These are warning signs.
- Paper: Pirated copies often use thin, greyish paper that you can see through.
- Cover: Real covers usually have a sharp finish. Fakes often look washed out or slightly pixelated.
- Page count: Flip to the last page and check it against the contents list.
- Price: A brand-new-looking bestseller at a fraction of a normal used price is probably not real.
For used textbooks, also look for heavy highlighting, torn pages and loose binding. A little underlining is fine. A missing chapter isn’t.
Which Market Should You Choose? A Quick Decision Guide
| If You Are… | Go To | Best Day |
|---|---|---|
| A casual reader looking for novels on a budget | Mahila Haat Sunday Book Bazaar | Sunday morning |
| A school parent buying NCERT or CBSE books | Nai Sarak | Weekday, before noon |
| A DU student | Kamla Nagar first, then Nai Sarak | Any weekday |
| A UPSC, SSC or banking aspirant | Mukherjee Nagar, Old Rajinder Nagar or Ber Sarai | Any day |
| A collector looking for rare or old editions | Mahila Haat, with repeat visits to the same sellers | Sunday, early |
| Looking for one specific title | Bookchor, Amazon.in used books, BookMandee | Anytime online |
For a wider comparison of Delhi’s book markets, including new-book hubs like Khan Market, see our guide to the best markets in Delhi for purchasing books.
Can You Buy Second Hand Books Online in Delhi?
Yes. Buying online is the smartest option when you need a particular edition and don’t want to search through stalls. Popular options for Indian buyers include:
- Bookchor: A used-book store that started in Delhi NCR and delivers across India. It also runs the Lock The Box sales.
- Amazon.in: Has a used books section where third-party sellers list pre-owned copies, often next to new ones.
- BookMandee: Lets you buy and sell second hand books with people nearby.
- OLX and Facebook Marketplace: Good for local bundles, such as a full set of JEE or UPSC books from someone in your area.
Before you pay an online seller, ask for real photos of the actual copy, including the edition page. Stock images tell you nothing about condition.
Can You Sell Your Old Books in Delhi?
Yes. Many Nai Sarak shops buy used textbooks, especially current editions, and some Daryaganj sellers and Janpath shops buy fiction. Book traders typically buy at a small fraction of the cover price and resell for more. Booksellers have long described buying used books at around a quarter of the list price and selling them at about half.
To get a better price:
- Sell textbooks before the new session starts, when demand is highest.
- Sell exam books one by one online rather than as a bulk lot.
- Keep books clean and avoid heavy highlighting if you plan to resell them.
Plan a One-Day Second Hand Book Trail in Delhi
If you love browsing, here’s a simple Sunday route by metro:
- 9:30 AM: Arrive at Delhi Gate Metro and spend the morning at Mahila Haat.
- 1:00 PM: Have lunch in Daryaganj or near Jama Masjid.
- 2:30 PM: Take the metro to Rajiv Chowk or Janpath and browse the bargain shops and stalls there.
- Evening: Finish at Connaught Place’s bookstores if you want any new releases.
On a weekday, swap Mahila Haat for Nai Sarak, then go to Kamla Nagar by the Yellow Line.
What to carry: a sturdy tote bag, cash and UPI on your phone, a list of the books you want, and water. Old Delhi lanes get hot and crowded. If you’re also shopping for planners, journals or good pens for the new reading season, our guide to high-quality stationery in Delhi lists the right shops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which second hand book market in Delhi is open on Sunday?
The Daryaganj Sunday Book Bazaar at Mahila Haat, near Delhi Gate Metro, is the main second hand book market open on Sundays. Most shops at Nai Sarak and many neighbourhood bookshops are closed or only partly open on Sundays.
What is the cheapest place to buy second hand books in Delhi?
Mahila Haat on Sunday is usually the cheapest, especially late in the afternoon, when sellers offer bundle deals and books by the kilo. For textbooks, prices at Nai Sarak drop the most when you buy several books from the same shop.
Is bargaining allowed at Delhi book markets?
Yes, bargaining is expected at Mahila Haat, Nai Sarak and the pavement stalls. Be polite and buy more than one book to get a better rate. Fixed-price shops and online stores generally don’t negotiate.
Where can I find old and rare books in Delhi?
Your best chance is the Sunday market at Mahila Haat, where some sellers specialise in vintage Penguins, old Hindi and Urdu literature, and imported first editions. Visit the same sellers over a few Sundays. They’ll often keep rare titles aside for regular buyers.
Can I find second hand NCERT books in Delhi?
Yes. Nai Sarak has the widest range of second hand NCERT books for every class. Coaching hubs like Mukherjee Nagar also sell complete used NCERT sets for UPSC preparation. Check that the book matches the current rationalised syllabus, because NCERT has revised several textbooks in recent years.
Are second hand books from Delhi markets reliable for exams?
Mostly, yes, if you check the edition and the print quality. Static subjects such as polity, history and maths are safe to buy used. Avoid old current affairs material and pirated copies with missing or blurred pages.
Final Recommendation
If you’re a reader, start with Mahila Haat on a Sunday morning. You’ll get the widest choice and the lowest prices. If you’re a student, go to Nai Sarak on a weekday with your booklist and edition details. If you’re preparing for UPSC or another competitive exam, skip the general markets and go straight to Mukherjee Nagar, Old Rajinder Nagar or Ber Sarai.
Can’t make it in person? Order your exact title online from a used-book store, and save the market trip for a Sunday when you just want to browse.
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