Tra Tocklai

19/09/2026

Darjeeling Tea now has a chemical fingerprint.

TRA scientists analysed authenticated samples from 45 Darjeeling estates and identified 397 volatile flavour compounds — the molecules behind Darjeeling's floral, fruity and muscatel character.

Compared against teas from eight regions including Nepal, Dooars, Assam, Sri Lanka and Africa (nearly 49,000 compounds detected in all), the study found 20–30 compounds present in Darjeeling Tea and absent in Nepal tea.

For an industry long troubled by substitution and mislabelling, this offers a scientific layer of authentication to complement GI certification and traceability.

Congratulations to Dr Bappaditya Kanrar and Dr Biplab Adhikary, and our thanks to the National Tea Research Foundation, Tea Board Of India, for supporting the research.

Full report of the The Telegraph, 19 September 2026 can be called here https://epaper.telegraphindia.com/nbengal/30/2026-09-19/page-7/article-1699714223.html

Department of Commerce, GoI Tea Board India Suvendu Adhikari

18/09/2026

At the 12th AGM of the Federation of All India Tea Traders Association (FAITTA) in Kolkata today, Dr Selvaraj Venkatesan Director, TRA - Tocklai Tea Research Institute, spoke on "Food Safety in Tea: Demystifying MRLs through Science."

A clear reminder that an MRL is a regulatory benchmark built on strong supervised field trials and Good Agricultural Practice at TRA Tocklai. Where limits diverge across importing markets, the challenge is one of trade, not of food safety. There is a huge safety margin before teas are given their MRL's for a specific compound.

TRA remains committed to the science that lets Indian tea meet the world's most demanding standards with confidence. Thank you, FAITTA, for the invitation.

17/09/2026

Warm Birthday Greetings to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi from Tea Research Association, Tocklai Tea Research Institute.

Wishing the Hon’ble Prime Minister good health and many years of service to the nation.



Department of Commerce, GoI Tea Board India

16/09/2026

16/08/2026

80th Indian Independence Day celebrations at TRA Tocklai, Nagrakata on the 15th August 2026.

15/08/2026

TRA Tocklai, congratulates Tea Board India on the launch of the TEA MARK today — a fitting date for a mark that stands for the authenticity of Indian tea.

A voluntary certification assuring origin, quality and FSSAI compliance, with one scan giving the consumer full traceability from garden to cup. For an industry that competes in markets where provenance and food-safety compliance are decisive, a credible origin mark is not a cosmetic addition — it is infrastructure.

Our best wishes to the Chairman, Deputy Chairman and the entire Tea Board team, and our readiness to support the initiative through TRA’s scientific and analytical capabilities.

Look for the Tea Mark. Choose genuine Indian tea.



Department of Commerce, GoI Tea Board India

15/08/2026

Independence Day Greetings 🇮🇳

06/08/2026

The Assam floods have devastated some of the tea gardens of our small growers in flood affected areas.

On 5–6 August, the TRA Tocklai Advisory Team — Mr D. Buragohain, Dr Shyamal Phukan and Dr Jintu Dutta — walked these fields in Jorhat district, assessing damage and sharing scientific rehabilitation measures directly with affected growers.

Waterlogged soil. Defoliated bushes. Dying frames. For a small grower, this is not a bad season — it is a lost livelihood.

The visits continue across affected districts through August, supported by an interactive session at Teok with the All Assam Small Tea Growers’ Association, Jorhat District Committee.

Tocklai has served the Assam tea industry since 1911. Right now, that means being in the field, beside the grower.



Himanta Biswa Sarma CMO Assam Bimal Borah Department of Commerce, GoI Tea Board India Piyush Goyal

05/08/2026

Mobile Team of Scientists to help Flood Affected Tea Estates

The recent floods across Sibsagar, Charaideo and Jorhat Assam have left several TRA member estates facing waterlogging, silt deposition and the pest and disease pressures that follow.
TRA Tocklai has mobilised a dedicated team of scientists - covering water technology, GIS, entomology, mycology and soil science - to support affected gardens with on-ground assessment of short-term and medium-term damage, and detailed reports to guide recovery planning.

Drainage, silt, pest and disease will be the immediate concerns.

Member gardens may write to Dr Venkatesan Selvaraj Director, Tocklai Tea Research Institute, at [email protected].

Science in service of the industry - since 1911.



Himanta Biswa Sarma Piyush Goyal Department of Commerce, GoI CMO Assam Tea Board India

31/07/2026

Standing with Assam Flood Victims — TRA Tocklai Relief Effort

The devastating floods sweeping through Upper Assam have displaced thousands and disrupted daily life across the region. In response, the Management and employees of the Tea Research Association (TRA Tocklai) Jorhat, came together and led a relief effort to bring aid to affected families. More than Rs 3 lacs were collected from the contribution of employees and Management of TRA Tocklai and others.

Today 31st July, our teams distributed essential daily-use items — clothing, food supplies, buckets, cooking utensils, hygiene essentials, and other household necessities — to flood-hit communities in Moran Gaon, Garmur, Khanikar Gaon and Simaluguri in Charaideo District. Families who had lost access to basic necessities received direct, on-ground support from our volunteers.

Our work was further complemented by the generosity of several individuals and TRA members who came forward to support the cause. Our sincere thanks to:

Suneel Singh Sikand
Ajay Jalan — Mokalbari TE
Padmanabh Jalan — Bhatkawa TE
Jai Kejriwal — Rungamattee Tea & Industries
Mohit Agarwal, Hokonguri Tea LLP
Ishwar Lal Ubadia — Rosekandy TE
Ashok Krishan — New Delhi
N R Srinivasan — Delhi
and several retired planters from Delhi, whose continued goodwill towards the Assam tea community is deeply appreciated

At times like these, the spirit of the tea community shines through — with TRA’s own people at the forefront, and well-wishers standing alongside them for those in need.



Himanta Biswa Sarma CMO Assam Department of Commerce, GoI Tea Board India