At the start of the season 23 teams were nominated by the state associations for participation in this edition of the league.
[2] Following clubs were nominated: Kerala: SAT Tirur, Quartz, Kerala Delhi: Hindustan, Sudeva Moonlight, Delhi United Manipur: TRAU, SSU-Singjamei Meghalaya: Langsning Mizoram: Chhinga Veng Sikkim: United Sikkim West Bengal: Mohammedan Sporting, Rainbow Jammu and Kashmir: Lonestar Kashmir, J&K Bank Karnataka: Ozone, South United Telangana: Fateh Hyderabad Odisha: Radha Raman Club Bihar: Shirsh Bihar United Gujarat: ARA Jharkhand: Shivansh Jharkhand FC Madhya Pradesh: Madan Maharaj On 7 December 2018, it was announced by the league committee that nine clubs cleared the licensing criteria and are allowed to participate in this season.
were granted three days of extension to clear the club licensing, considering the situation in their state league.
Each club, excluding the Indian Super League reserve sides, can register three foreign players in their squad.
The team that finishes top of the table in the Final Round will be crowned champions, and earn promotion.