The 2013 I-League U20 was the fifth season of the Indian I-League U20 competition. The season took place during the I-League break between February and March. The tournament began on 6 March in Jamshedpur at the facilities which are currently used by Tata Football Academy.[2] The stadiums were officially announced on 29 January 2013 as the JRD Tata Sports Complex and the Gopal Maidan.[3]
Then on 6 February 2013 it was announced by I-League club Pune F.C. that the I-League U20 would be played between 15 clubs separated into 3 groups of five each with former I-League 2nd Division clubs SESA Football Academy and Tata Football Academy joining the U20 league while Pailan Arrows would not send an under-20 side to the tournament as they are already a developmental side in the I-League.[4]
Each team played each other once in the group stage and then after 4 games the top 2 teams qualified for the Final Round in which the top team was crowned champion.[4] The final round began on 16 March 2013.[4]