HOSTS: Hockey Jharkhand, under the auspices of Hockey India

DESCRIPTION:
*     Matches will be played at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astroturf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi.
*     The tournament will be conducted as per the newly-introduced division-based format.
*     The 15th edition will feature 28 teams divided into three divisions (Division A, Division B and Division C).
*     Division A, comprising the top 12 performing teams, including defending champions Hockey Jharkhand and last year runners-up Hockey Madhya Pradesh.
*     Division B and Division C will serve as competitive battlegrounds for emerging teams to climb the ranks.
*     Hockey Association of Odisha will compete in Division A.
*     Placed in Group C, Odisha will play their two league matchesa against Hockey Punjab and Hockey Maharashtra on July 7 and 8 respectively.
*     Top two from each group will qualify for quarterfinals.

Division-A (Teams compete for the title and two will face relegation):
Pool A: Hockey Jharkhand, Hockey Haryana, Hockey Andhra Pradesh
Pool B: Hockey Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh Hockey, Hockey Chandigarh
Pool C: Hockey Association of Odisha, Hockey Maharashtra, Hockey Punjab
Pool D: Hockey Mizoram, Delhi Hockey, Hockey Association of Bihar