Career as a Pulmonologist in India: Salary, Courses and How to Begin

A pulmonologist is a doctor who diagnoses and treats diseases of the respiratory system. That system covers the airways that carry air to the lungs, the lungs themselves and the muscles used for breathing. Pulmonologists treat conditions such as asthma, COPD, tuberculosis, pneumonia and sleep apnoea. They use tests such as chest X-rays, CT scans and lung function tests, and they prescribe inhalers and medicines. Serious lung disease may be referred to a chest surgeon.

Yes. After MBBS, you need a postgraduate degree in respiratory medicine. An MD or DNB in Respiratory Medicine is entered through NEET-PG and typically takes three years. For further specialisation, a DM in Pulmonary Medicine is taken after the MD and is entered through NEET-SS or INI-SS. Seats are limited, so students should check seat matrices and cutoffs for each college and year before they plan.

A pulmonologist diagnoses and treats lung and breathing problems mainly with medicines, inhalers and monitoring. A chest surgeon operates on the chest and lungs. A pulmonologist refers patients to a chest surgeon when a serious lung disease needs part of the lung removed or a lung transplant. Many patients see both doctors during their care, so the two specialists work as a team.

See a pulmonologist if you have breathing difficulty, a cough that lasts a long time, blood or mucus in your cough, unexplained weight loss, or severe breathlessness during daily activities or exercise. People who smoke or have long exposure to dust or smoke may benefit from a lung check-up. Severe breathlessness, blue lips, chest pain while breathing, or coughing up blood needs emergency care straight away.

Tests depend on the problem. Common ones include chest X-ray, CT scan, chest ultrasound, pulse oximetry and pulmonary function test (spirometry), which checks how well the lungs work. Bronchoscopy lets the doctor look inside the airways, a pleural biopsy samples tissue around the lung, and a sleep study checks for sleep disorders such as sleep apnoea. The doctor will explain which tests you need and why.

For an MD or DNB in Respiratory Medicine, yes. NEET-PG is the national entrance exam for postgraduate medical courses, and your rank decides which colleges you can join. Cutoff marks differ by college, category and year, so check the latest cutoff reports for each college. For a DM in Pulmonary Medicine, the route is NEET-SS or INI-SS instead.

Many pulmonologists offer online consultations, especially for asthma or COPD follow-ups, discussing X-ray or test reports, and guidance on inhaler use. An in-person visit is usually better for severe breathlessness or any symptom that needs a physical examination. Online consultation saves travel time, but it should not replace urgent care when symptoms are serious.

Pulmonology has steady demand because lung and breathing conditions such as asthma, COPD, tuberculosis and sleep apnoea are common. Work is available in hospitals, medical colleges, private clinics and online practice. The training is long and competitive, and the work includes emergencies and long-term patient care, so it suits people who are patient and enjoy medicine. Earnings vary by setting, experience and city.