DM Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology: Admissions, Medical Colleges, fees, Eligibility Criteria details
DM Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology or Doctorate of Medicine in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology also known as DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology is a super specialty level course for doctors in India that is done by them after completion of their postgraduate medical degree course. The duration of this super specialty course is 3 years, and it focuses on the diagnosis and management of immunological and rheumatic diseases.
The course is a full-time course pursued at various recognized medical colleges across the country. Some of the top medical colleges offering this course include: Bharati Vidyapeeth University Medical College- Pune and, Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar.
Admission to this course is done through the NEET-SS Entrance exam conducted by the National Board of Examinations, followed by counselling based on the scores of the exam that is conducted by DGHS/MCC/State Authorities.
The fee for pursuing DM (Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology) varies from college to college and may range from Rs. 6,876 to Rs. 29,00,000 per year.
After completion of their respective course, doctors can either join the job market or can pursue certificate courses and Fellowship programmes recognized by NMC and NBE. Candidates can take reputed jobs at positions as Senior residents, Consultants etc. with an approximate salary range of Rs. 6 lakhs to Rs. 23 lakhs per year.
What is DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology?
Doctorate of Medicine in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, also known as DM (Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology) or DM in (Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology) is a three-year super specialty programme that candidates can pursue after completing a postgraduate degree.
Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology is the branch of medical science dealing with the diagnosis and management of immunological and rheumatic diseases.
National Medical Commission (NMC), the apex medical regulator, has released a Guidelines for Competency-Based Postgraduate Training Programme for DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology.
The Competency-Based Postgraduate Training Programme governs the education and training of DMs in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology.
The postgraduate students must gain ample of knowledge and experience in the diagnosis, treatment of patients with acute, serious, and life-threatening medical and surgical diseases.
The PG education intends to create specialists who can contribute to high-quality health care and advances in science through research and training.
The required training done by a postgraduate specialist in the field of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology would help the specialist to recognize the health needs of the community. The student should be competent to handle medical problems effectively and should be aware of the recent advances in their speciality.
The candidate is also expected to know the principles of research methodology and modes of the consulting library. The candidate should regularly attend conferences, workshops and CMEs to upgrade her/ his knowledge.
Course Highlights
Here are some of the course highlights of DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology
| Name of Course | DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology |
| Level | Doctorate |
| Duration of Course | Three years |
| Course Mode | Full Time |
| Minimum Academic Requirement | Postgraduate medical degree obtained from any college/university recognized by MCI (Now NMC)/NBE |
| Admission Process / Entrance Process / Entrance Modalities | Entrance Exam (NEET-SS) INI CET for various AIIMS, PGIMER Chandigarh, JIPMER Puducherry, NIMHANS Bengaluru Counselling by DGHS/MCC/State Authorities |
| Course Fees | Rs. 6,876 to Rs. 29,00,000 per year |
| Average Salary | Rs. 6 lakhs to Rs. 23 lakhs per year |
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology are defined as the set of rules or minimum prerequisites that aspirants must meet in order to be eligible for admission, which include:
- Candidates must be in possession of a postgraduate medical Degree (MD/MS/DNB) from any college/university recognized by the Medical Council of India (MCI Now NMC)/NBE.
- The candidate must have obtained permanent registration of any State Medical Council to be eligible for admission.
- The medical college's recognition cut-off dates for the Postgraduate Degree courses shall be as prescribed by the Medical Council of India (now NMC).
Admission Process
- The admission process contains a few steps to be followed in order by the candidates for admission to DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology. Candidates can view the complete admission process for DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology mentioned below:
- The NEET-SS or National Eligibility Entrance Test for Super specialty courses is a national-level master's level examination conducted by the NBE for admission to DM/MCh/DrNB Courses.
- Qualifying Criteria-Candidates placed at the 50th percentile or above shall be declared as qualified in the NEET-SS in their respective specialty.
- The following medical institutions are not covered under centralized admissions for DM/MCh courses through NEET-SS:
- AIIMS, New Delhi and other AIIMS
- PGIMER, Chandigarh
- JIPMER, Puducherry
- NIMHANS, Bengaluru
- Candidates from all eligible feeder specialty subjects shall be required to appear in the question paper of respective group, if they are willing to opt for a superspecialty course in any of the super specialty courses covered in that group.
- A candidate can opt for appearing in the question papers of as many groups for which his/her Postgraduate specialty qualification is an eligible feeder qualification.
- By appearing in the question paper of a group and on qualifying the examination, a candidate shall be eligible to exercise his/her choices in the counseling only for those superspecialty subjects covered in said group for which his/ her broad specialty is an eligible feeder qualification.
Fees Structure
The fee structure for DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology varies from college to college. The fee is generally less for Government Institutes and more for private institutes. The average fee structure for DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology is around Rs. 6,876 to Rs. 29,00,000 per year for the entire course.
Colleges offering DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology
There are various medical colleges across India that offer courses for pursuing DM in (Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology).
As per National Medical Commission (NMC) website, the following medical colleges are offering DM in (Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology) courses for the academic year 2022-23.
| Sl.No. | Course Name | Name and Address of Medical College / Medical Institution | Annual Intake (Seats) |
| 1 | DM- Clinical Immunology & Rheumatology | Bharati Vidyapeeth University Medical College, Pune | 2 |
| 2 | DM- Clinical Immunology & Rheumatology | Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar | 2 |
Syllabus
An DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology is a three years specialization course that provides training in the stream of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology.
The course content for DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology is given in the Competency-Based Postgraduate Training Programme released by National Medical Commission, which can be assessed through the link mentioned below:
Course contents:
I. Understanding of Basic Immunology
• Cells and organs of the immune system
• Innate immune system
• T and B cell development and subsets
• TCR, HLA, Ig genes
• Antigen presentation and processing
• Generation of adaptive immune response
• Cytokines, chemokines and other mediators
• Complement pathway
• Function of phagocytes, mast cells, basophils and eosinophils
• Immune response to microbes
• Infections in the immuno-compromised host
• Aging and immune system
• Vaccines
• Primary immunodeficiency disorders
• HIV/AIDS
• Types of hypersensitivity reactions
• Tolerance induction in Thymus and bone marrow
• Mechanisms leading to breakage of tolerance
• Transplantation immunology
II: Immunology of musculoskeletal diseases
• Role of innate immune system
• Role of adaptive immune system
• Role of different inflammatory mediators
• Role of Complement
• Immune biomarkers in rheumatic diseases
• Immune mechanisms in joint replacement (response to metals etc)
III. Basic Biology of rheumatic diseases
• Anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, microbiology and serology, and immune
response in musculoskeletal health and disease states (but not limited to):
• Cell biology, Molecular biology, Molecular genetics, Genomics, Pharmacology pharmacokinetics, Protein chemistry and proteomics and their relevance in rheumatic diseases
• Collagen and connective tissue in health and disease
• Articular cartilage and bone in health and disease
• Skeletal muscle in health and disease
• Biomechanics of articulation and their derangements in diseases.
• Neurophysiology of pain
IV: Understanding of basic pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of rheumatic diseases
• Systemic Lupus erythematosus
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
• Rheumatic fever
• Spondyloarthropathies
• Systemic sclerosis
• Polymyositis/dermatomyositis
• Vasculitis
• Sjogren's disease
• Crystal arthritides
• Osteoarthritis
• Soft tissue rheumatism
• Auto-inflammatory syndromes
• Overlap syndromes
• Behcet's disease
• Sarcoidosis
• Amyloidosis
• Goodpasture's syndrome
• Systemic disease associated with rheumatic manifestations (metabolic, endocrine and malignancy)
• Infections of musculoskeletal system
• Organ specific autoimmune disease
• Others (Polmyalgiarheumatica, relapsing panniculitis, relapsing polychondritis, erythema nodosum)
V Basis of allergic disorders
• Basis of hypersensitivity reactions
• Pathogenesis of airway allergy
• Drug induced hypersensitivity
• Anaphylaxis and serum sickness
• Diagnosis of allergic disorders including skin test
• Treatment of allergic disorders especially immune mediate therapies (anti-cytokine therapies)
VI Basis and delivery of Immunological therapies
• Anti-inflammatory medications: steroids, NSAIDs, and antihistamines
• Immunomodulatory/immunosuppressive drugs
a. Synthetic drugs
b. Biological therapy
c. IVIG therapy
• Cell based therapies
d. Stem cell including MSCs
e. Regulatory T cells
• Gene therapy
• Vaccines
• Plasmapheresis and experimental immunotherapies
VII. Immunodiagnostics
• Understanding of principles of all basic techniques utilized in immunology
• Evaluation of immune system function (immunodeficiency tests)
• Evaluation of autoantibodies
• HLA typing
Career Options
After completing a DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, candidates will get employment opportunities in Government as well as in the Private sector.
In the Government sector, candidates have various options to choose from which include Registrar, Senior Resident, Demonstrator, Tutor etc.
While in the Private sector the options include Resident Doctor, Consultant, Visiting Consultant (Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology), Junior Consultant, Senior Consultant (Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology), Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology Specialist.
Courses After DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology Course
DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology is a specialisation course that can be pursued after finishing a Postgraduate medical course. After pursuing specialisation in DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, a candidate could also pursue certificate courses and Fellowship programmes recognised by NMC and NBE, where DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology is a feeder qualification.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) –DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology Course
Question: What is the full form of DM?
Answer: The full form of DM is a Doctorate of Medicine.
Question: What is a DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology?
Answer: DM Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology or Doctorate of Medicine in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology also known as DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology is a super specialty level course for doctors in India that is done by them after completion of their postgraduate medical degree course.
Question: What is the duration of a DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology?
Answer: DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology is a super specialty programme of three years.
Question: What is the eligibility of a DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology?
Answer: Candidates must be in possession of a postgraduate medical Degree (MD/MS/DNB) from any college/university recognized by the Medical Council of India (now NMC)/NBE.
Question: What is the scope of a DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology?
Answer: DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology offers candidates various employment opportunities and career prospects.
Question: What is the average salary for a DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology candidate?
Answer: The DM in Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology candidate's average salary is between Rs. 6 lakhs to Rs. 23 lakhs per year depending on the experience.
Question: Can you teach after completing DM Course?
Answer: Yes, candidate can teach in a medical college/hospital after completing DM course.
Question: What is the difference between an immunologist and a rheumatologist?
Answer: Immunologists and rheumatologists are both internal medicine doctors. While immunologists treat conditions that affect your immune system, rheumatologists specialize in the musculoskeletal system.
