DM in Rheumatology: Admission, Syllabus, Eligibility, Fees, Colleges, Careers

DM in Rheumatology or Doctor of Medicine in Rheumatology is a 3-year postgraduate super-specialty medical degree focusing on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of musculoskeletal and autoimmune conditions. The curriculum includes clinical skills, theoretical knowledge, research methodology, and patient care.

To pursue DM in Rheumatology, you need to have an MBBS degree, and an MD or DNB in General Medicine or Pediatrics from a recognized university. Candidates are also required to compulsorily appear for a NEET-SS entrance examination and qualify it to get admission.

In India, the course fee for DM Rheumatology ranges from about INR 60,000- 3,0,000 in government institutions and around INR 40,00,000-90,00,000 in private institutions. Some of the top colleges and universities in India are Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education & Research, Siksha O Anusandhan University, Christian Medical College, and others.

DM in Rheumatology Key Highlights

Below are the key highlights of the DM in Rheumatology course in India:

What is a DM in Rheumatology?

If you already have an MD or DNB in General Medicine or Paediatrics and want to learn more about identifying and treating complicated joint, muscle, and autoimmune diseases, you can get a DM in Rheumatology. It takes three years to complete. If you're interested in making a career out of helping people with chronic inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or vasculitis, this school could be the next step for you.

The course helps you get better at professional skills, making diagnoses, and doing medical study. It also helps you learn more about how the immune system works and how it impacts various body parts. You will learn about things like Immunology, Musculoskeletal Ultrasound, Paediatric Rheumatology, and Connective Tissue Disorders. As part of many schools, you will also learn how to do surgeries, lab work, and the newest treatments used in rheumatology.

Why Study DM in Rheumatology?

With a DM in rheumatology, you can become an expert in inflammatory and joint diseases, work in advanced clinical roles or go into teaching, research or leadership roles in the medical field. Few reasons to pursue this degree are as follows:

• It can help you get a better job in college medical centres, public health groups, research hospitals, and speciality clinics.
• Working with patients, doing lab work, going to workshops and writing papers are all good ways to improve your clinical, medical and study skills.
• Helps you learn about things like Immunology, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Vasculitis and Paediatric Rheumatology.
• Provides a solid base for doctors who want to teach medicine, lead study on autoimmune diseases or play important roles in shaping healthcare policy.
• Doctors, medical experts, and postgraduates who want to stand out in the field of super-specialized medicine, get more clinical experience and improve the results of patient care will love it.

Who should study for DM in Rheumatology?

If you already have an MD or DNB in General Medicine or Paediatrics and want to become an expert in treating inflammatory, muscle, and joint diseases, then the DM in Rheumatology might be the right next step for you. This degree works great for the professionals given below:

• Doctors who are really interested in inflammatory diseases like vasculitis, rheumatoid arthritis, or lupus. If you found these topics interesting when you were an MD, this course will help you learn more and treat more difficult rheumatologic cases.
• Doctors and nurses who want to become super-specialists. If you want to work in top hospitals, open your own speciality centre, or become a referral expert in your area, getting a DM in rheumatology can help your job.
• Clinicians who like doing research, study, or teach. This program prepares you for jobs in teaching and study, whether you're interested in new ways to treat illnesses, want to write medical papers, or want to teach at a medical college.
• Doctors want to take on more leading roles in public health, hospital areas, or making policy. Specialising in rheumatology gives you a special set of skills that you can use to plan healthcare and speak up for patients.
• Anyone who wants to work in global health projects, hospitals, or study centres around the world. With its focus on chronic and rare diseases, a DM in rheumatology can open up global possibilities, especially if you want to do an internship or work as a doctor in another country.

DM in Rheumatology Eligibility Criteria

To enroll in a DM in Rheumatology, candidates have to meet some educational and admission requirements. Without fulfilling these criteria, it is not possible to enter the course. Mentioned below are the DM in Rheumatology eligibility criteria:

• The applicant must hold an MBBS, an MD, and even a DNB in General Medicine or Pediatrics degree from an institute recognized by the Medical Council of India (MCI) or any of the State Medical Councils.
• The applicant also needs to appear for a NEET-SS examination.
• Most universities and colleges require one year of rotational internship and preference is given to candidates with prior experience in nephrology or related fields.
• Students belonging to SC/ST/OBC/PwD categories are often given relaxation in different government-affiliated and private universities.

DM in Rheumatology Entrance Exams 2025

For pursuing a DM in Rheumatology in India, various national/state/university-level entrance examinations are required to be taken. Colleges and Universities in India offer admission depending on the marks or rank obtained in these examinations.

DM in Rheumatology Colleges in India

Various institutions in India are offering the DM in Rheumatology Colleges course; each institute has got some entrance exam criteria for admitting students. Some of the top DM in Rheumatology Colleges programs in India have been mentioned below, along with their total course fee, NIRF Ranking, and entrance exams required for admission:

Click to get more information about DM Endocrinology

DM in Rheumatology Admission Process 2025

The admission to DM in Rheumatology Colleges is based on the entrance exams like NEET- SS etc. Students need to appear for the national level examination in order to pursue the DM in Rheumatology Colleges from a reputable university. However, some universities also provide admission on the basis of University Level test or Merit. Given below is the step by step admission process for the Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham:

Step 1: Go to the website for the DM entry tests, such as NEET-SS. Fill out the registration form with information about yourself, your school, and your job. After you sign up, you'll get a confirmation email or text message with a link to finish your application.

Step 2: Fill out the registration form with information about your MBBS and MD/DNB degrees, as well as any work experience you have. Then, upload the necessary papers. In most cases, this includes:

• MBBS and MD/DNB grades
• Try to get a license from the Medical Council
• Recent picture the size of a passport Government ID
• Certificate of caste (if needed)
• Check everything twice before sending it in.

Step 3: Pay the application fee online through the payment site that was given to you. Save a copy of the bill. Some schools, like Sharda, may let you submit both online and offline, so make sure you carefully read the rules for your school.

Step 4: The fourth step is to take the NEET-SS exam, which checks how much you know about General Medicine and Rheumatology. Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) will be on the test based on your MD/DNB speciality. After the test, some private schools may do more interviews or staff evaluations.

Step 5: Once the results are out, those who made the short list will be asked to come in for counselling or straight entry, depending on their NEET-SS rank and the universities they want to attend. Before making a final choice, some schools may also look at interview scores and academic background.

Step 6: If you are chosen, you will get a provisional acceptance letter or an allotment letter via email or the university site. This will have information about when you can apply, how much it costs, and other things related to starting school, like your accommodation and introduction.

Step 7: To secure your spot, pay the application fee and security deposit by the due date written in the letter. Your spot in the DM Rheumatology program will be properly reserved once the payment is made.

Required Documents:

• 10th and 12th mark sheets
• Graduation Marksheets
• ID proofs
• Transfer certificate
• Character certificate
• Medical certificate
• Category Certificate (if applicable)

DM in Rheumatology Syllabus

The syllabus for DM in Rheumatology in India is more or less the same in the colleges offering the course. The syllabus may slightly differ depending on the curriculum followed by the institute. For reference, the syllabus for DM in Rheumatology at Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education & Research is given below:

Click to get more information about DM Cardiology

DM in Rheumatology Job Opportunities in India

DM in Rheumatology graduates can have job roles in multiple fields, including Legal Advisor, Judiciary (Judge, Magistrate), Corporate Lawyer and others. Some of the common job roles for DM in Rheumatology graduates in India are given below:

DM in Rheumatology FAQs