Matches were played from 17 October 1937 to 24 February 1938 with a total of 18 teams participating.

The sides were divided into four zonal groups, but the tournament utilised a knockout format.

Although the tournament ran in a knockout format, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) organised the teams by zone.

South Zone was reduced to three teams after Central Provinces and Berar withdrew.

The eighteen teams are listed alphabetically by zone and the sides that won each zonal title are in bold.