Everything you need to know about the NCVET Tea courses at DTRDC.
It is an NCVET-approved skill development programme (NSQF Level 4) developed by Tea Board India with ASCI. It focuses on professional tea tasting for the Indian tea industry — covering factory-level tasting, blending, sensory evaluation, grading, and quality assessment.
210 hours, structured as approximately 30 days of training. Theory is limited (~35 hours); the majority is hands-on practical (~175 hours).
Minimum eligibility (as per ASCI model curriculum):
12th grade pass or equivalent, OR
Previous NSQF Level 3.5 with 1.5 years of relevant experience, OR
Previous NSQF Level 3 with 3 years of relevant experience.
No specific pre-requisite licence or training is required.
₹45,000 + 18% GST = ₹53,100 total for General category. SC/ST and PH/PwD candidates receive a 50% concession (₹26,550).
Key modules include: Introduction to the Tea Taster role, Tea foundation and appreciation (Indian GI teas, terroir, flavour wheel, sensory profiling, brewing), Conducting professional tastings (grading, SOPs, sensory evaluation, documentation), Tea blending (based on tasting results, sustainable practices, packaging), and Managing factory operations incorporating innovative and future-ready practices.
Potential roles include tea taster in factories/estates, quality control, blending, and related industry positions. The programme supports quality enhancement, consumer confidence, branding, and global competitiveness of Indian teas.
The Fundamentals of Tea Tasting is longer (210 hours) and more intensive — focused on factory-level operations, managing sessions, and manufacturing practices. The Essentials of Tea Sommelier is shorter (60 hours) and focused on appreciation, professional tasting, and artisanal practices — better suited for hospitality professionals and enthusiasts.
An NCVET-approved 60-hour programme focused on tea fundamentals, appreciation, professional tasting techniques, innovative blends, and artisanal/future-forward practices. Designed for hospitality professionals, tea enthusiasts, and aspiring sommeliers.
60 hours of training.
The Essentials of Tea Sommelier is shorter (60 hours) and focused on appreciation and professional tasting — ideal for hospitality and enthusiasts. The Fundamentals of Tea Tasting is longer (210 hours) and more intensive, covering factory-level operations and manufacturing practices.
Applications are handled through this portal — dtdrc.teamarketplace.in. Register or log in, fill the form, pay the fee, and upload your documents. All steps are done online.
A nationally recognised NCVET / ASCI certificate upon successful completion and assessment (theory + practical), aligned with NSQF and NEP 2020, along with a participation certificate from Tea Board India.
At the Darjeeling Tea Research and Development Centre (DTRDC) of Tea Board India, Kurseong, West Bengal.
Yes. If you pay the fee but are not allocated a seat after the selection process, your full course fee will be refunded to your bank account. You must provide correct bank details in the application.
