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UNDER 16
A very similar structure to the U-14 level, just that they play the U-16 Reliance cup in August, with state-level qualifiers/championship in June and July. A state team is then selected for the national championship in October, after the September break.
School teams play the CBSE/ICSE/State Board championships in November and December. A state team is again selected at the end of December, for the Khelo India U-17 championships in January and February. Another break in March.
No professional football in April and May due to 10th board results, changes from school to pre-university and extra classes. Players can play semi-pro and train.
Club transfer windows at the end of August (After the Reliance cup) and at the end of February (After Khelo India). National U-16 team to be selected for the AFC U-16 championships and merged with the previous outgoing batch.
Targets for AIFF: Qualifying for the AFC U-16 Championships regularly, and then pushing for a berth at the FIFA U-17 World cup. Also playing friendly matches and tournaments against top oppositions.
UNDER 18
This is a major age group for all players - in terms of club and national team football. But institutions and schools do have an important part to play as well, as this is a phase that will shape one's professional career. A lot can be achieved in this span of two years.
April-May: Institutions play a nation-wide U-18 Reliance Knockout Cup (mainly players going from 11th to 12th class), which also includes academies accredited by the AIFF (AIFF should continue recognizing residential academies).
In this way, clubs also take part in a comprehensive scouting and selection process and bring in players in June-July, and then send them to the club academies. In this way, the incoming U-18 players are aligned with the normal summer transfer window.
August to February: The clubs then play a national U-18 I League from with match-days on weekends on excellent quality pitches. These players then directly graduate to senior level from within the club or get loaned/transferred out. A break in March for the final exams.
For players who don't play for clubs:
June-July: Institution teams play U-17 Subroto Cup state-level qualifiers, which are held in collaboration with all the state FA's and the Armed Forces. The Subroto Cup finals take place in Delhi in August. The winner of the Subroto Cup qualifies as India's representative at the Asian School Football Championships.
Then after the September break, State sides are selected for the national championships in October.
November-December: the CBSE/ICSE/State board championships take place.
January to mid-February: The U-18 National School Games (organized by the School Games Federation of India) takes place, with extensive state-level qualifiers.
A break from mid-February until the end of March for the final exams.
April-May: As most of these institutes do function for most of the time, they take part in the Reliance U-18 Knockout cup.
Targets for AIFF: Win the SAFF U-18 Championships. Make the National team play lots and lots of friendlies and tournaments (like Toulon cup, COTIFcup, Granatkin cup, etc.) to prepare them for the AFC U-19 championships.
The bigger picture here is the FIFA U-20 world cup. Potential stars for our national team could be identified and be fast-tracked.
