India Launches First-Ever NCVET-Approved Tea Sommelier and Tasting Courses

Shri Barthwal emphasised that the launch of these first-of-their-kind NCVET-approved courses is a landmark step in building a skilled workforce for India’s tea value chain.

On the occasion of International Tea Day, Shri Sunil Barthwal, IAS, Secretary, Department of Commerce, formally launched two pioneering skill development programmes approved by the National Council of Vocational Education and Training (NCVET). These specialised courses, designed by Tea Board India, aim to create a new generation of skilled tea sommeliers and tasters while boosting tea literacy and industry competitiveness. The programmes will be conducted at the Darjeeling Tea Research and Development Centre in Kurseong, West Bengal.

Strengthening India’s Tea Ecosystem

Tea Board India constituted a high-level Committee comprising representatives from the Department of Commerce, NCVET, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Indian Institute of Plantation Management (IIPM), and domain experts in tea tasting and education policy. The Committee was tasked with mapping global training standards, assessing industry requirements, and aligning curricula with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

The outcome is two internationally benchmarked courses—Essentials of Tea Sommeliers and Fundamentals of Tea Tasting—developed in partnership with the Agriculture Skill Council of India (ASCI), an awarding body recognised by NCVET. These courses represent the first structured, NCVET-approved training programmes dedicated exclusively to tea tasting and sommelier skills in India.

Course Details

1. Essentials of Tea Sommeliers (60 hours)

   • Fundamentals of tea and tea appreciation

   • Professional tea tasting techniques

   • Development of innovative tea blends

   • Training in artisanal and future-forward tea practices

2. Fundamentals of Tea Tasting (210 hours)

   • Factory-level tea tasting operations

   • Conducting and managing tasting sessions

   • Blending teas based on tasting outcomes

   • Applying future-ready tea manufacturing and sensory evaluation practices

These courses not only target aspiring professionals but also aim to enhance India’s role as a global leader in premium teas by strengthening quality assurance, product innovation, and consumer outreach.

Boosting Market Competitiveness

On completion, trained professionals will be qualified to contribute to grading, sensory evaluation, and quality management in tea production—critical factors in improving both domestic and international market performance. By fostering a culture of tea appreciation, the initiative also seeks to expand tea literacy among consumers and strengthen brand India in global tea markets.

Shri Barthwal emphasised that the launch of these first-of-their-kind NCVET-approved courses is a landmark step in building a skilled workforce for India’s tea value chain. The initiative directly aligns with the government’s goals of skill development, employment generation, and enhancing India’s agricultural exports.

A Step Toward Future-Ready Tea Industry

The introduction of structured training will provide young professionals with specialised skills to innovate in tea tasting and blending while preserving artisanal traditions. At the same time, it will equip the Indian tea industry with a workforce trained to meet evolving global standards and consumer preferences.

The courses are expected to draw participation from tea-producing regions across India, especially Darjeeling, Assam, and Nilgiris, while also attracting international interest in due course. This development not only supports the livelihoods of tea-growing communities but also reaffirms India’s heritage as the world’s second-largest tea producer.