2022–23 I-League 2nd Division

2022–23 Hero I-League 2nd Division (known as Hero 2022–23 2nd Division League) was the 15th season of the I-League 2nd Division since its establishment in 2008. This was the first season of I-League 2nd Division since rebranding as the third tier of Indian football league system. The league's group stage has been played from March to May 2023, parallel to the remaining part of both I-League and Indian Super League seasons. The top two teams on the league table, Delhi and Shillong Lajong, secured a place in the 2023–24 I-League season.

On 27 September 2022, the league committee meeting presided by Lalnghinglova Hmar was held. It was initially decided that 15 teams would participate in the upcoming season, including the reserve sides of ISL teams. The final phase of the league will be played on a home-and-away basis.

However, on 16 December, the league committee decided that 20 teams would play in I-League 2, consisting of 12 state league champions along with 6 ISL reserve sides and two qualification tournament winners.

On 13 January, the League committee decided that two clubs would be promoted to I-League, and two relegated clubs, along with the remaining three final-round clubs, would directly qualify for the final round of next season.

Changes from last season

 * The league will have state league champions or other eligible teams nominated by their respective state football associations besides the six reserve teams of the Indian Super League.


 * Teams will be divided into zones to minimize the travel, and the winners from each zone will qualify for the final phase.


 * The final round will be played on a home and away basis, consisting of 5 teams.


 * The two among five teams who finish at the top of the table after the final phase is promoted to the l-League.


 * The two relegated I-League teams and the other three final phase teams will directly qualify for the I-League 2 final phase next season.


 * Mandatory club licensing criteria are removed for participating in the league.

Selection criteria

 * 1) State association can nominate the state league champions or other clubs based on the conducted state leagues in the previous season.
 * 2) State association can also nominate other clubs for the qualifier tournament without the state league.
 * 3) Nominated institutional clubs are ineligible for participation in the league.

Teams selection through state leagues
As per AIFF, teams will be selected to participate in I-League 2 through state leagues nominations. Only the top-qualified team can be nominated from the state league. KLASA FC was the champions of the Manipur state league, but the All Manipur Football Association didn't nominate it but instead nominated the 5th position KIYC. AIFF decided not to allow any club from Manipur in the competition.

Reserve teams
The reserve teams of the 6 Indian Super League clubs will participate. However, they would not be eligible for promotion.

Qualification tournament
The states that did not conduct their leagues in the previous season nominated respective clubs to participate in the qualification tournament. The top 2 teams qualified for I-league 2.

Group stage
6 Indian Super League reserve sides play in this round, along with 12 state champions and two state qualification tournament winners.

Twenty teams are divided into four groups of 5, where each team plays each other twice in a home and away format. Each group winner along with the best second placed team qualify for the final round.

Ranking of second-placed teams
Since Group B has fewer teams, the result against fifth-placed teams in other groups will not be counted for the table ranking below.

Final round
The top 5 teams from the group stage will play each other in the final round in a single-leg format. The top 2 teams will qualify for the I-League.

Top scorers

 * As of 26 May 2023

Clean sheets

 * As of 26 May 2023

Player

 * Most yellow cards: 4
 * 🇮🇳 Gaurav Rawat
 * 🇮🇳 Himanshu Patil
 * 🇮🇳 Shahmeer Tariq
 * 🇮🇳 Aron Vanlalrinchhana


 * Most red cards: 1
 * 18 players

Club

 * Most yellow cards: 21
 * FC Bengaluru United


 * Most red cards: 3
 * FC Goa (R)