On August 3, 2026, Tea Board India launched courses on tea tasting at its Darjeeling Tea Research and Development Centre (DTRDC) in Kurseong, according to a release from the board. The initiative is aimed at creating a pool of professionally trained tea tasters and tea sommeliers capable of supporting quality enhancement, tea appreciation, value addition, branding and market competitiveness of Indian teas.
Courses developed under NSQF and NEP 2020
The courses were developed with the assistance of the Agriculture Skill Council of India (ASCI), an Awarding Body recognised by the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Tea Board India said. A committee comprising representatives from the Department of Commerce, the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, subject experts and industry professionals formulated the curriculum of two courses — 60 hours and 210 hours — in accordance with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF).
| Course | Duration | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Essentials of Tea Sommelier | 60 hours | Tea appreciation, professional tea tasting techniques, tea blending, future-forward tea practices |
| Second course | 210 hours | Curriculum formulated; no further details specified in the release |
The inaugural batch consists of the 60-hour certificate programme named "Essentials of Tea Sommelier", designed to impart knowledge on tea appreciation, professional tea tasting techniques, tea blending and future-forward tea practices, according to the release.
Skill development and workforce impact
Speaking on the occasion, C. Murugan, Deputy Chairman, Tea Board India, emphasised that the initiative will contribute significantly towards building a skilled workforce capable of enhancing tea quality, ensuring scientific sensory evaluation, strengthening quality assurance systems and promoting tea appreciation among consumers.
The Tea Board's release stated that participants will receive hands-on training through classroom sessions, practical demonstrations and experiential learning:
Participants will receive hands-on training covering tea cultivation, manufacturing, professional tasting methodologies, sensory evaluation, tea grading, blending techniques, tea etiquette and industry best practices through classroom sessions, practical demonstrations and experiential learning.
Tea Board India said the programme is also aimed at promoting tea literacy among youth and generating employment opportunities in the tea industry. Upon successful completion, trainees are expected to contribute meaningfully to the tea value chain by supporting quality assessment, improving market competitiveness, promoting tea literacy and enhancing consumer confidence in Indian teas.
Impact on Indian tea market competitiveness
The launch aligns with the Government of India's vision to promote skill-based education and industry-oriented learning, the release noted. By strengthening structured skill development and professional education, Tea Board India said the initiative marks a significant milestone in supporting quality enhancement, value addition, branding and market competitiveness of Indian teas.
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