No one can mark their place without self reliance in today's football world. Every great club and nation considered as advanced in the domain of football is greatly inclined towards a youth development program. Heralded as pioneers in several other aspects, McDowell Mohun Bagan started its youth development program in a scientific and structured manner. The club today speaks proudly of its four youth brigades and a fully functional football academy at Durgapur - a city around 200 kilometers from Kolkata with foreign trainer and well-equipped modern facilities. Steel Authority of India provided the facility to McDowell Mohun Bagan for this Academy.

Today, the McDowell Mohun Bagan colts have made their mark on the international circuit, especially at the Manchester United Youth Cup in Manchester and the Yakut Danone Cup in Paris, as the champions of Asia.