Subroto Cup International Football Tournament Junior Girls U-17
by Subroto Mukerjee Sports Education Society
Cash prize up to Rs 3,50,000
India's oldest inter-school football tournament, Junior Girls (U-17) category, run by the Indian Air Force since 1960.
Mode
In-Person
Fee
₹2,000
Participation format
Team
Teams of 16
Duration
10 days of national finals
Eligibility
Open to girls' school teams in the Junior Girls (U-17) category. A player must be a bonafide student on the school rolls from the start of the academic year, and may enter only one category per edition.
- Age range
- 15 to 16 years
- Gender
- Girls only
- Eligibility region
- Available nationwide across India
- Academic requirement
- Currently enrolled in a recognised school in India or in a participating foreign country, with a bonafide certificate from the school principal.
- Prerequisites
- Bonafide student on the school rolls from the start of the academic year
- Selection in the school's Junior Girls (U-17) football team
- The school team must win through its sub-division, district, division and state rounds, or enter through the CBSE Pre-Subroto Cup for CBSE schools
- Entry form certified by the Principal and countersigned by the state Director of Education or DPI
- Age proof by school record and a valid Aadhaar card or passport
See if your child qualifies.
Rewards and recognition
Award
Cash prizes up to Rs 3,50,000
Cash prizes are awarded through the Junior Girls (U-17) draw: Rs 3,50,000 to the winners, Rs 2,00,000 to the runners up, Rs 75,000 to each semi-finalist and Rs 40,000 to each quarter-finalist, plus Rs 50,000 for fair play and individual awards of Rs 40,000 for best player, Rs 25,000 for best goalkeeper, Rs 25,000 for best coach and Rs 40,000 for best school.
Prizes
Trophy, medals & cash
The Junior Girls (U-17) champions receive the Subroto Cup trophy and medals alongside the cash prizes, with individual awards for best player, best goalkeeper, best coach and best school.
Certificate
Participation & winner certificates
Players receive participation certificates; winners and runners-up receive special recognition certificates issued under the authority of the Indian Air Force.
Recognized by
Recognition
National school football honours
Skills your child builds
Key dates
Last edition
- Competition
- 18 Aug 2026 to 27 Aug 2026
How to apply
- 1CBSE-affiliated schools register team(s) on the official Subroto Cup portal under the CBSE institution category.
- 2Non-CBSE schools enter through their state football association or state-level Subroto Cup qualifier round.
- 3Pay the team registration fee of two thousand rupees online to the Subroto Sports Control Board.
- 4Submit team list with player age proofs and bonafide certificates to the organising committee.
Rules and guidelines
- Only bonafide students of the registered school may play
- Players must meet the date-of-birth cut-off published for the category each edition
- A squad is sixteen players plus one coach and one manager, and a female coach or manager is compulsory
- A player may enter only one Subroto Cup category in an edition
- Matches follow the FIFA Laws of the Game, and players suspected of being overage take a skeletal maturity test
Fees and financial support
Fee details
Team registration fee of two thousand rupees applies to schools entering through the CBSE Pre-Subroto Cup route, payable online to Subroto Sports Control Board. Non-CBSE schools may have separate qualifier-round fees set by their state association.
About this opportunity
The Subroto Cup International Football Tournament is the oldest national inter-school football competition in India, conducted every year since 1960 by the Subroto Mukerjee Sports Education Society under the Air Force Sports Control Board. This document covers the Junior Girls (U-17) category.
The Subroto Cup runs three categories, Sub Junior Boys U-15, Junior Girls U-17 and Junior Boys U-17, and each is a separate tournament with its own dates, its own host city and its own entry. A Junior Girls team must be accompanied by a female coach or manager, which the tournament rules make compulsory for this category. The girls tournament is played in the National Capital Region and is the first of the three Subroto Cup categories each year.
Entry is by school team only, and only one team per state or unit reaches the national finals. A school wins its way up through sub-division, district, division and state rounds; CBSE-affiliated schools may instead come through the CBSE Pre-Subroto Cup feeder tournament. The team must be certified by the Director of Education or DPI of its state, and every player must be a bonafide student on the school rolls from the start of the academic year.
Rounds and format
A school reaches the national finals through four qualifying tiers: sub-division, district, division and state. CBSE-affiliated schools may instead qualify through the CBSE Pre-Subroto Cup. At the Junior Girls (U-17) finals the teams are drawn into pools for league matches and the pool winners go into a knockout to the final. League matches are two halves of 30 minutes with a 10 minute break. Knockout matches are the same, and if the scores are level go to extra time of two 7 minute halves with a 1 minute break, then kicks from the penalty mark.
How entries are judged
Matches are decided on goals scored under the FIFA Laws of the Game as applied by the All India Football Federation. Pool matches are won on the scoreline, with pool placings deciding who advances. A level knockout match goes to extra time and then to kicks from the penalty mark. There is no subjective judging.
Selection process
Entry is by school team only, and only one team per state or unit reaches the national finals. A school wins its way up through sub-division, district, division and state rounds; CBSE-affiliated schools may instead come through the CBSE Pre-Subroto Cup feeder tournament. The team must be certified by the Director of Education or DPI of its state, and every player must be a bonafide student on the school rolls from the start of the academic year. Within the Junior Girls (U-17) finals, teams advance on pool results and then on knockout results, and the cash prizes and trophy follow the final placings.
Frequently asked questions
How can participants enhance their chances of success in the Subroto Cup tournament?
Success in the Subroto Cup often stems from consistent team practice, strategic game planning, and fostering strong teamwork. Focusing on individual skill development combined with understanding team dynamics and opponent analysis can significantly improve performance.
What strategies are effective for managing competitive pressure during high-stakes matches?
Managing pressure involves mental preparation, visualization techniques, and maintaining focus on the game plan. Coaches can implement stress-reduction exercises, encourage positive self-talk, and ensure players are well-rested and hydrated to perform optimally under pressure.
How do teams typically prepare to avoid common mistakes in high-stakes games?
Preparation includes rigorous training drills simulating match conditions, reviewing past game footage to identify weaknesses, and practicing set-pieces. Emphasizing communication on the field and maintaining discipline in tactical execution are crucial to minimizing errors.
What factors are considered for team rankings and advancement through the tournament stages?
Team rankings and advancement are primarily determined by match results, including wins, draws, and losses, as well as goal difference and goals scored in pool play. In knockout stages, direct match outcomes decide progression, with extra time and penalty shootouts for tied scores.
How does participation in this competition contribute to a student's long-term athletic development?
Participating in the Subroto Cup provides invaluable experience in competitive football, exposing students to high-level play and diverse opponents. It fosters skill refinement, tactical understanding, physical conditioning, and develops crucial attributes like leadership, resilience, and sportsmanship, which are vital for future athletic pursuits.
What support systems are available for teams and coaches during the tournament?
The organizing committee provides various support systems, including medical facilities, accommodation arrangements, and logistical assistance for teams. Coaches can also access resources and guidance on tournament rules and fair play from officials to ensure a smooth experience.
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