On 30 SEP 2025, Commerce Secretary Shri Sunil Barthwal launched NCVET-approved skill courses on Tea Sommeliers and Tea Tasting. The initiative, announced on International Tea Day, aims to skill the youth and promote tea literacy. Tea Board India constituted an expert committee, including representatives from Joint Secretary (Plantations), Department of Commerce, Director, NCVET, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, IIPM, and domain experts in Tea Tasting and NEP 2020. The committee was tasked with exploring existing courses and developing a curriculum aligned with international standards, Indian tea industry requirements, and the National Education Policy 2020.
Two new courses were developed with the assistance of the Agriculture Skill Council of India (ASCI):
1. **Essentials of Tea Sommeliers (60 hours):** Covers fundamentals of tea and tea appreciation, professional tea tasting techniques, innovative tea blends, artisanal and future-forward tea practices.
2. **Fundamentals of Tea Tasting (210 hours):** Covers factory-level tea tasting operations, conducting and managing tea tasting sessions, tea blending based on tasting outcomes, and implementing future-ready tea manufacturing and tasting practices.
The courses will be conducted at the Darjeeling Tea Research and Development Centre, Tea Board India, Kurseong.
Key Entities Referenced
National Council of Vocational Education and Training (NCVET): Approves skill courses on Tea Sommeliers and Tea Tasting.
Tea Board India: Constituted expert committee and launched specialised courses to skill the youth and promoting tea literacy.
National Education Policy 2020: NCVET-approved skill courses are designed in alignment with NEP 2020.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry: Overseeing Ministry, initiating programs.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Commerce Secretary Shri Sunil Barthwal Launches
NCVET-Approved Skill Courses on Tea Sommeliers
and Tea Tasting
Tea Board India Constitutes Expert Committee to
Develop NCVET-Approved Tea Tasting Curriculum
Posted On: 30 SEP 2025 4:37PM by PIB Delhi
National Council of Vocational Education and Training (NCVET)-approved skill courses on Tea Sommeliers
and Tea Tasting were launched by Secretary, Department of Commerce, Shri Sunil Barthwal, IAS, today on
the occasion of International Tea Day. Announcing the initiative, Shri Barthwal said the specialised courses
by Tea Board India are aimed at skilling the youth and promoting tea literacy, with the programmes proposed
to be conducted at the Darjeeling Tea Research and Development Centre, Tea Board India, Kurseong.
Tea Board India constituted a Committee comprising Joint Secretary (Plantations), Department of Commerce,
Director, NCVET, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, IIPM, and domain experts in Tea
Tasting and NEP 2020. The Committee was tasked with exploring existing courses in India and abroad, and
developing a comprehensive curriculum aligned with international standards, Indian tea industry
requirements, and the National Education Policy 2020.
Based on the recommendations, two new courses have been developed with the assistance of the Agriculture
Skill Council of India (ASCI), an awarding body recognised by the NCVET, Ministry of Skill Development
& Entrepreneurship.
The two courses are:
1. Essentials of Tea Sommeliers (60 hours) – covering fundamentals of tea and tea appreciation,
professional tea tasting techniques, development of innovative tea blends, and adoption of artisanal and
future-forward tea practices.
2. Fundamentals of Tea Tasting (210 hours) – covering factory-level tea tasting operations, conducting
and managing tea tasting sessions, tea blending based on tasting outcomes, and implementing future-
ready tea manufacturing and tasting practices.
On successful completion, trained professionals will contribute to sensory evaluation, grading, and the
promotion of tea literacy—factors critical to enhancing market competitiveness and consumer satisfaction.
The two NCVET-approved skill courses were formally launched by Shri Sunil Barthwal today. These are the
first-of-their-kind courses in tea tasting, designed in alignment with NEP 2020, and mark a significant step in
strengthening India’s tea value chain through a skilled workforce.
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Abhishek Dayal/ Abhijith Narayanan/ Ishita Biswas(Release ID: 2173161)