I-League 2nd Division was introduced during the 2008 season, with first game played on 25 March between Mohammedan Sporting and Amity United.

[5] That season saw Mohammedan Sporting, Mumbai FC, Vasco SC and Chirag United promoted to the I-League.

The next season saw Pune FC, Shillong Lajong, Viva Kerala and Salgaocar getting promoted.

It was decided that the league will be rescheduled into a new format and all non-reserve teams from the preliminary stage will automatically progress to this round.

The final round is contested in a double round-robin format, after which the top two teams get promoted to the I-League.

Top 3 teams from each conference will qualify for the final round of the 2015–2016 season of 2nd division I-League.

Eventually top two teams from the final round will get a nod to the 2nd division, provided that they fulfill the club licensing requirements in the due time.

The final round will be played at a central venue, the winners of which would be promoted to the next tier of Indian Football.

In a meeting held on 16 December 2022, the AIFF league committee has recommended that states that have conducted their regional leagues in previous season nominate clubs for the Hero I-League 2, with six reserve teams of the Hero ISL also joining them.