Breathing problems rarely stay small. A cough that lingers for weeks or breathlessness on simple stairs can point to a condition that needs a specialist, not just a general physician. If you are searching for the best lungs doctor in India, the choice becomes easier when you know who the leading names are.
This guide introduces the top 5 pulmonologists in India, based on training, clinical experience and patient trust. Many people are still unsure about what a pulmonologist actually does, so we have kept the language simple and the details practical.
Why Choosing the Right Pulmonologist Matters
Asthma, COPD, interstitial lung disease, tuberculosis and lung infections often look alike in the early stages, and a wrong diagnosis can delay recovery. The best respiratory specialists in India combine careful examination with modern diagnostic tools, so treatment starts on the right track. You can see the wide range of diseases pulmonologists treat to understand why the speciality matters.
Do not wait for things to get worse, either. Persistent cough, wheezing, chest tightness or blood in sputum are all symptoms that mean it is time to see a pulmonologist.
How These Doctors Were Shortlisted
The top 5 pulmonologists in India on this list were reviewed on academic qualifications, years of experience, hospital association and range of respiratory and critical care work. A best lung specialist in India is not just someone with degrees, but someone who explains your condition clearly and plans long-term care with you. That is also the heart of how to choose the best pulmonologist for your own situation.
Our List of the Top 5 Pulmonologists in India
1. Dr. Pankaj Gulati, Jaipur: Consultant in Pulmonology and Critical Care
Dr. Pankaj Gulati holds an MBBS from Govt. Medical College, Kota, and a DNB in Respiratory Medicine from the National Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases. His critical care training includes IDCCM from Fortis, Noida, and he is also an MNAMS member with a Diploma in Allergy and Asthma from CMC Vellore and International Asthma Services, Denver, USA. Over the years, he has served as a senior resident at Rajan Babu Institute of Pulmonary Medicine and Tuberculosis, Fortis Noida, JNU Medical College Hospital and Fortis Escorts Jaipur, and is now a consultant at Shalby Multispeciality Hospital, Jaipur. His practice covers asthma, COPD, allergies, interstitial lung disease and critically ill patients, and his blend of respiratory and intensive care experience makes him a dependable choice.
2. Dr. Randeep Guleria, Medanta, Gurugram
Dr. Randeep Guleria is the Chairman of the Institute of Internal Medicine, Respiratory and Sleep Medicine at Medanta, Gurugram, and Director of Medanta Medical School. Before this, he led AIIMS, New Delhi, as Director for around five and a half years, after serving as Professor and Head of Pulmonary Medicine and Sleep Disorders there. A DM in Pulmonary Medicine, he received the Padma Shri in 2015 and the Dr. B.C. Roy Award in 2014. He was also part of the national task force for COVID-19, and his expertise covers sleep disorders, interventional pulmonology and critical care.
3. Dr. Vivek Nangia, Max Healthcare
Dr. Vivek Nangia is Vice Chairman and Head of Pulmonology at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, with over 30 years of experience. He holds an MD in TB and Respiratory Diseases from Aligarh Muslim University and an M.Sc. in Infectious Diseases from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. He is among the pioneers of bronchoscopic interventions and medical thoracoscopy in Delhi, procedures that are often surrounded by common myths about interventional pulmonology. His patients include people with emphysema, tuberculosis, sleep apnea and acute respiratory distress syndrome.
4. Dr. Zarir Udwadia, Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai
Dr. Zarir Udwadia is among the famous pulmonologists in India and a consultant chest physician at P. D. Hinduja Hospital. With MD, DNB, FRCP (London) and FCCP (USA) qualifications, he set up the hospital’s chest medicine department in 1992 and a sleep laboratory in 1994. Best known for his work on drug-resistant tuberculosis, he also treats interstitial lung disease, pulmonary infections and difficult asthma, where the role of a pulmonologist in asthma treatment goes well beyond prescribing inhalers. Every week, he also runs a free TB clinic at the hospital.
5. Dr. Ashok Bajpai, Apollo Hospitals, Indore
Dr. Ashok Bajpai is a senior pulmonologist at Apollo Hospitals, Indore, with an MBBS, MD and DTCD and more than four decades of experience. He has a special interest in asthma, COPD, tuberculosis, pneumonia and sleep apnea, and performs both diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopy for airway problems. His approach focuses on evidence-based treatment and long-term respiratory recovery, which makes him a trusted name in central India and a fit for any top 5 pulmonologist doctor in India shortlist.
Why Early Consultation Helps
A specialist gives you an accurate diagnosis, a personalised plan and regular monitoring, which lowers the risk of repeated hospital visits. Those are just some of the advantages of consulting a pulmonologist early, and finding the best lungs doctor in India for your case makes the biggest difference when symptoms are still mild.
Lung infections need timely attention too. Patients looking for Pneumonia Treatment in Jaipur should not delay a visit if fever, chest pain and breathlessness appear together.
Final Thoughts
This top 5 pulmonologist doctor in India list should help you start your search with confidence. If you live in Rajasthan and want a trusted Pulmonologist in Jaipur, you can book a consultation at Breath Clinic. Knowing the top 5 pulmonologists in India is useful, but the best choice is always the doctor you can reach easily and trust with your care.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is the best pulmonologist in India?
There is no single answer, because the right doctor depends on your condition and location. Experience, qualifications and patient trust matter most when comparing the best respiratory specialists in India, and many famous pulmonologists in India are known for exactly these strengths.
2. When should I see a pulmonologist?
Consult one if you have a cough lasting more than three weeks, frequent wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness or repeated chest infections.
3. What is the difference between a pulmonologist and a general physician?
A general physician handles common illnesses, while a pulmonologist is trained specifically in lung and airway diseases and uses specialised tests such as spirometry and bronchoscopy.
4. Which diseases does a pulmonologist treat?
They treat asthma, COPD, pneumonia, tuberculosis, interstitial lung disease, sleep apnea, lung cancer and other respiratory conditions.
5. How do I find a good lung doctor near me?
Check qualifications, hospital affiliation and patient feedback, and choose someone who explains your diagnosis clearly. This helps you identify the best lung specialist in India for your needs.
6. Can asthma and COPD be cured completely?
Both are chronic conditions that cannot always be cured, but the right medicines, inhaler technique and lifestyle changes help most patients lead an active life.