Indian football league system

Last updated

Indian football league system
Country India
Sport Association football
Promotion and relegation Yes
National system
Federation All India Football Federation
Confederation AFC
Top division
Second division
Cup competition
Association football in India

The Indian football league system is the league structure of football club competitions in India. The highest level of men's club football competition is the Indian Super League. [1] [2] Indian Women's League, founded in 2016, is the highest level of women's football club competition in India. [3]

Contents

Men's

The Indian men's football league system consists of the top 4 national divisions organized by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and commercial partners FSDL. From tier 5 are the various regional state football leagues, organized by the respective state associations under AIFF affiliation.

Pyramid

LevelNational leagues
1 Indian Super League
13 clubs – ↓ No relegation (2024-25)
2 I-League
12 clubs – 1 promotion ↑↓ 1 relegation
3 I-League 2
10 clubs – 2 promotions ↑↓ 2 relegations
4 I-League 3
TBA clubs – 6 promotions ↑↓ 15 relegations (provisionally)
State leagues
State levelWest BengalAssamDelhiTamil NaduMaharashtraGoaJammu and KashmirKarnatakaManipurMeghalayaOdishaJharkhandPunjabSikkimTripuraKeralaLadakhMizoramArunachal PradeshBiharChhattisgarhDadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and DiuGujaratHaryanaHimachal PradeshLakshadweepMadhya PradeshNagalandPuducherryRajasthanTelanganaUttar PradeshUttarakhand
MumbaiPuneNagpurKolhapurThane
51 CFL Premier Division

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Assam State Premier League

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Delhi Premier League

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CFA Senior Division

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Mumbai Premier League

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PDFA Super Division League

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NDFA Elite Division League

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Kolhapur Senior League

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Thane Super Division

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Goa Professional League

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J&K Premier Football League

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BDFA Super Division

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Manipur State League

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Meghalaya State League

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FAO Diamond League

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JSA League Premier Division

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Punjab State Super Football League

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SFA "A" Division S-League

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Chandra Memorial A Division League

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Kerala Premier League

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Ladakh Super League

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Mizoram Premier League

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Indrajit Namchoom Arunachal League

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Bihar State Soccer League

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Chhattisgarh State Men's Football League Championship

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DD Senior Division League / DNH Senior Division League

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Gujarat SFA Club Championship

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Haryana Men's Football League

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Himachal Football League

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Kavaratti Football League [4]

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Madhya Pradesh Premier League

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Nagaland Premier League

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Pondicherry Men's League Championship

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Rajasthan State Men's League

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Rahim League A Division

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Lucknow Super Division

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Uttarakhand Super League

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62CFL 1st Division
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2

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Assam Club Championship / Guwahati Premier Football League

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FD Senior Division League

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First Division

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Mumbai Super League

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PDFA First Division League

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NDFA Super Division League

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1 division GFA 1st Division League

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J&K Super Division

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BDFA A Division

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AMFA Cup

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Shillong Premier League

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FAO Gold League

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JSA League Super Division

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Punjab State League Second Division

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SFA "B" Division

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Chandra Memorial B Division League

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Kerala Premier League Second Division

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Ladakh District Leagues

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Mizoram 1st Division League

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1 division
73CFL 2nd Division

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GSA A Division Football League

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FD A-Division

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Second Division

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MFA First Division

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PDFA Second Division League

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NDFA Senior Division League

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GFA 2nd Division League

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J&K A-Division

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BDFA B Division

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Thangjam Birchandra-Maipakpi Memorial Winners' Cup

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Second Division League

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FAO Silver League

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JSA League A Division

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Punjab State League Third Division

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SFA "C" Division

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Chandra Memorial C Division League

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2 divisions
84CFL 3rd Division

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GSA B Division Football League

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FD B-Division

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Third Division

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MFA Second Division

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PDFA Third Division League

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3 divisionsGFA 3rd Division League

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J&K B-Division

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BDFA C Division

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Manipur District Leagues

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Third Division League

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FAO 2nd Division League

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3 divisions
95CFL 4th Division

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GSA C Division Football League

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FD C-Division

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Fourth Division

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MFA Third Division

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4 divisions4 divisions
106CFL 5th Division

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5 divisions

Status evolution

Professional leagues
Amateur/Semi-professional leagues
Inter-state championship
YearTier 1Tier 2Tier 3Tier 4Tier 5 and below
1941–1996 Santosh Trophy State leagues
1996–1997 National Football League State leagues (without top divisions)
1997–2006 National Football League National Football League Division 2 State leagues (without top divisions)
2006–2007 National Football League National Football League Division 2 National Football League Division 3 State leagues (without top divisions)
2007–2017 I-League I-League Division 2 State leagues (without top divisions)
2017–2022 I-League and Indian Super League I-League Division 2 State leagues (without top divisions)
2022–2023 Indian Super League I-League I-League 2 State leagues (without top divisions)
2023–present Indian Super League I-League I-League 2 I-League 3 State leagues (without top divisions)

Tier I

National Football League (1996–2007)

Founded in 1996, the National Football League was the first football league of India to be organised on a national scale, [5] in an aim to develop the sport & give platform for Indian footballers in a club league. However, due to several problems the league was defunct to make way for a new professional I-League.

I-League (2007–2022)

After the end of 2006–07 season, AIFF disbanded the NFL after allegedly missing the full aim of professionalism. To replace NFL, AIFF introduced a fully professional I-League, with ten clubs from the last season of NFL participating in the maiden season of I-League. [6] The league was declared as joint top tier in 2019–20 season when AFC approved AIFF's proposal to demote the AFC Champions League slot, for the AFC Cup. Three seasons later the league was completely demoted to second tier status in Indian football, with the league champions now promoted to the Indian Super League.

Indian Super League (2017–present)

The I-League suffered from lack of popularity due to poor marketing as the seasons passed by. [7] The deal between the Zee Sports and the AIFF, which was initially signed for a ten-year term in 2006, was terminated in 2010 after disagreement between both the parties. AIFF then signed a new 700-crore deal with Reliance Industries and the International Management Group on 9 December 2010. [8] The Indian Super League was officially launched on 21 October 2013 by IMGReliance, Star Sports, and the All India Football Federation with an aim of growing the sport of football in India and increasing its exposure in the country, this time with the big names and high professionalism. [9]

In 2017, The AFC were against allowing the ISL as the main league in India, while I-League clubs East Bengal and Mohun Bagan wanted a complete merger of the ISL and I-League. [10] A couple of weeks later, the AIFF proposed that both the Indian Super League and I-League should run simultaneously on a short–term basis, with the I-League winner qualifying for the AFC Champions League and the ISL champion to AFC Cup qualification stage. [11] The proposal from the AIFF was officially approved by the AFC on 25 July 2017. [12]

Two seasons later the AIFF and AFC announced in a meeting that the Indian Super League was officially the top-tier league of India with the AFC Champions League slot, while the I-League was with the AFC Cup slot. The first recommendation was to open a pathway for two I-League clubs to enter into the ISL by the end of the 2020–21 season, subject to the criteria being fulfilled. The second recommendation was allowing the winner of the I-League to stand a chance of getting promoted to the ISL with no participation fee, starting with the 2022–23 season. In its final recommendation it was agreed that the introduction of promotion and relegation into the top league would be implemented by the end of 2024–25 season, thus making ISL the top tier & I-League officially being 2nd tier competition. [13]

Tier II

NFL Second Division (1997–2007)

The NFL's second division was introduced by AIFF in 1997 to supplement the top division. [14] After the 2006–07 season, all the three tiers of NFL were defunct and replaced with I-League and I-League 2nd Division respectively.

I-League 2nd Division (2007–2022)

The National Football League's second division was succeeded by the I-League 2nd Division in 2008. The state FAs nominated top teams from their respective state leagues to AIFF who then selected the clubs based on criteria. The number of clubs in this league varied each season. Since 2017–18 season, the league saw introduction of the I-League reserve sides which weren't eligible for promotion. [15] After the I-League lost its top tier status, the I-League 2nd Division was demoted, re-establishing India's third tier since the NFL's Third Division in 2006.

I-League (2022–present)

Starting from the 2022–23 season, I-League lost its top-tier status. The champions of the 2022–23 I-League were promoted to the ISL with no participation fee. In its recommendation for 2024–25, it was agreed to fully implement promotion and relegation between the two leagues. [16]

Tier III

NFL Third Division (2006)

Ten years after the formation of NFL, a third division was briefly introduced for one season in 2006 [17] The NFL Third Division was the first third division tier football league in India to be organized on a national scale. The league was played from 25 November till 18 December 2006 as a promotional tournament for Indian National Football League Second Division. Five teams were promoted to the second division. [18] [19] Starting from the 2022–23 season, I-League 2 filled the void in the third tier left by NFL Third Division in 2006.

I-League 2 (2022–present)

After demoting I-League to the second tier status in Indian football, its second division i.e., I-League 2nd Division was subsequently demoted to third tier. AIFF renamed the 2nd Division to I-League 2 to avoid disambiguation. [20]

Tier IV

I-League 3 (2023–present)

I-League 3 is set to serve as a platform for state champions and nominated teams. It forms the fourth tier of the Indian football league system, between the I-League 2 and the state leagues. No ISL reserve teams will be part of it. [21] [22]

Tier V & below

Indian state leagues

There are currently total of 36 state associations (including union territories) affiliated with the AIFF. [23] These state associations have state leagues concurrently running. The top teams of state leagues are eligible for the I-League 3 (national 4th tier). Most state leagues have multiple divisions and a promotion/relegation system between these divisions. Calcutta Football League (Oldest football league in Asia) in West Bengal is the oldest state league and has the highest number of divisions with promotion/relegation system in place. [24]

System evolution

Men's
LevelYears
1888–18931893–18981898–19411941–19771977–19961996–19971997–20012001–20062006–20072007–20112011–20142014–20172017–20222022–20232023–present
18931937
National leagues1NoneFormation of Indian Football Association (IFA) Calcutta Football League Formation of All India Football Federation (AIFF) Santosh Trophy National Football League I-League Indian Super League Indian Super League
I-League
2NoneNone NFL Second Division I-League 2nd Division I-League
3None NFL Third Division Discontinued I-League 2
4None I-League 3
Regional leagues5–11 State leagues
Cup competitions Durand Cup
Federation Cup Super Cup
Indian Super Cup Discontinued

Franchise leagues

LeagueState/RegionClubsFormed
Gujarat Super League Gujarat 62024
Super League Kerala Kerala 62024
Sikkim Premier League Sikkim 82023
Manipur Premier League Manipur 92023–24

Women's

The women's football league system in India currently consists of top tier national league i.e. Indian Women's League, organized by the All India Football Federation (AIFF). From 2023 to 24 IWL 2nd Division will form the tier 2, and top 2 clubs will be promoted to IWL. Tier 3 are the State football leagues, organized by regional state associations under AIFF affiliation, in the league tier pyramid of women's football in India.

Pyramid

LevelNational leagues
1 Indian Women's League
7 clubs – ↓ 0 relegations
2 Indian Women's League 2
15 clubs – 2 promotions ↑↓ 9 relegations TBA
State leagues
State levelKarnatakaWest BengalDelhiMaharastraTamil NaduAssamGoaManipurMeghalayaOdishaJharkhandPunjabSikkimMizoramArunachal PradeshBiharChhattisgarhGujaratHaryanaHimachal PradeshKeralaMadhya PradeshPuducherry
31 Karnataka Women's Super Division

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CWFL Premier Division A

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FD Women's Premier League

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WIFA Women's Football League

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Tamil Nadu Women's League

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Assam Women's League

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Goa Women's League

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Manipur Women's League

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SSA Women's Football League

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Odisha Women's League

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JSA Women's League

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Punjab Women's League

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Sikkim Women's Super League

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Mizoram Women's League

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Arunachal Women's Football Championship

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Bihar State Women's League

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Chhattisgarh State Women's Football League Championship

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Gujarat State Women's League

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Haryana Women's Football League

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Himachal Women's League

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Kerala Women's League

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Madhya Pradesh Women's Premier League

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Pondicherry Women's League

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42Karnataka Women's A DivisionCWFL Premier Division BFD Women's ChampionshipMFA Women's LeaguePDFA Women's DivisionKolhapur Women's League1 division
53Karnataka Women's B Division2 divisions

Status evolution

Professional leagues
Amateur/Semi-professional leagues
Inter-state championship
YearTier 1Tier 2Tier 3 & below
1991–2016 Senior Women's National Football Championship State leagues
2016–2023 Indian Women's League State leagues (without top divisions)
2023–present Indian Women's League Indian Women's League 2 State leagues (without top divisions)

Tier I

Indian Women's League (2016–present)

In 2014, after the success of the India women's team, mainly in the SAFF Women's Championship, a push to start a women's football league, along the lines of recently inaugurated and successful Indian Super League, happened. [25] Clubs such as Pune and Bengaluru expressed interests in joining a national women's league. [25] It was around this time that AIFF started plans to create a league for women along the lines of ISL. [26]

On 21 April 2016, the AIFF president Praful Patel said that Indian Women's League would kick-off in October with six teams to be decided, and goal to expand to eight teams by 2017. Over two months later, on 5 July, AIFF organized a workshop to discuss the India women's national team and proposed women's football league. Five Indian Super League sides – Delhi Dynamos, Chennaiyin, Kerala Blasters, Pune City and Atletico de Kolkata, and three I-League sides – Bengaluru, Aizawl and Mumbai, attended the workshop. It was announced that the league would feature eight teams and two other spots would be determined through a preliminary round. [27] The primary objective of the tournament was to capitalise the potential of Indian women and prepare them for the national team, so as to eventually qualify for AFC Women's Asian Cup and FIFA Women's World Cup. [28]

Tier II

Indian Women's League 2 (2023–present)

The league was launched by All India Football Federation as India's first national women's second tier professional football league. [21] [22] In January 2024, the League Committee confirmed the introduction of the system of promotion and relegation of the clubs involving the IWL and IWL 2, effective from the 2024–25 season.

Tier III & below

Indian state leagues

There are currently total of 36 state associations (including union territories) affiliated with the AIFF. [23] These state associations have state leagues concurrently running. The top teams of state leagues are eligible for the Indian Women's League 2 (national 2nd tier). Some of the state leagues have multiple divisions and a promotion/relegation system between these divisions. Calcutta Women's Football League (Oldest football league in India) in West Bengal is the oldest state league. Karnataka Women's League has the highest number of divisions with promotion/relegation system in place.

System evolution

Women's
LevelYears
19371991–20162016–20232023-present
National leagues1Formation of
All India Football Federation (AIFF)
Senior Women's National Football Championship Indian Women's League
2None Indian Women's League 2
Regional leagues3– State leagues

Youth

Current Youth league system

LevelCompetitionAge category
National Reliance Foundation Development League Under-21
Youth League Under-17
Junior League Under-15
Sub-Junior League Under-13
Subroto Cup Inter-school

Future Youth league system

On 7 January 2023, the AIFF unveiled Vision 2047, a new roadmap for Indian football with the planned reforms in India's league system. [29] [30]

StructureAge categoryParticipantsMinimum matches
Boys
RFDL/Elite LeagueUnder-21Elite licensed academies and professional clubs35
Under-19
State Youth League champions
Under-17
Under-15
Under-13
Girls
Institutional LeagueTBDAssociation clubs14
Elite League18 to 22Universities
Elite and state youth leagueUnder-17State Youth League champions
Under-15
Under-13

National football championships

The National football Championships are competitions contested among the regional state associations and government institutions under the All India Football Federation. Currently, six championship competitions are divided into age groups for both men and women.

Senior NFC (Santosh Trophy)

The Santosh Trophy [31] is a men's football competition contested by the regional state associations and government institutions under the AIFF. Before starting the National Football League in 1996, the Santosh Trophy was considered the top domestic championship in India.

Senior Women's NFC

Senior Women's National Football Championship for Rajmata Jijabai Trophy [32] is the women's football tournament which is contested among the regional state, territory federations and government institutions of India. It began to play in 1991. The league consisted of 30 teams for the 2019–20 season.

U-20, Junior & Sub-Junior NFC

The U-20 National Football Championship or Swami Vivekananda U20 National Football Championship [33] is a national level inter-state championship for boys under the age of 20. [34] All affiliated State Units of AIFF are eligible to participate in this championship.

The Junior National Football Championship or BC Roy Trophy [35] is for the Junior age groups, which was started in 1962. All affiliated State Units of AIFF are eligible to participate in this championship through the two tiers of the competition played across the country.

The Sub Junior National Football Championship or Mir Iqbal Hussain Trophy [36] is a national level inter-state championship for boys under the age of 16, which was started in 1977. All affiliated State Units of AIFF can participate in this championship through the qualifying round.

Junior & Sub-Junior Girls' NFC

The U-19 Junior Girls' National Football Championship [37] was first introduced in 2001.

The U-17 Sub-Junior Girls' National Football Championship [38] was first introduced in 2003 and held at Ooty.

Institutional League

AIFF proposed the Institutional League for the institutional clubs. The league is not part of the Indian football pyramid.

Notes

    See also

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