Allergist / Immunologist — career guide: stream, exams, degree

Your route, step by step

1Class 11–12: take PCBClass 12 Biology’s human health and disease (immunity) chapter is the seed of this field. Prepare for boards and NEET UG together.
2NEET UG → MBBS · 5.5 years4.5 years of study plus a 1-year internship. Seats through MCC (all-India quota) and Tamil Nadu medical counselling.
3NEET PG → MD General Medicine (or Paediatrics) · 3 yearsFirst train as a physician.
4NEET SS → DM Clinical Immunology & Rheumatology · 3 yearsThe recognised super-specialty for immune diseases in India.
5Practise or researchAllergy work is usually done through fellowships and short courses on top of MD / DM — India has no separate allergy degree.

NEET UGFor the MBBS seat (conducted by NTA)
NEET PGMD / MS / DNB seats (conducted by NBEMS); 50% of government seats are all-India quota, 50% Tamil Nadu quota
INI-CETPG seats at AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER and NIMHANS
NEET SSDM / MCh super-specialty seats (conducted by NBEMS)

Clinical immunology and rheumatology departments of large hospitals, medical colleges and specialist clinics.

Links checked: Oct 2026. Always confirm dates and rules on the official site.

Few doctors are trained in this field, and autoimmune diseases are being recognised more often, so specialists are valued.