Nephrology deals with the study of kidneys; specifically normal renal functions, diseases, and preservation of health. It is a subspecialty of internal medicine. Nephrologists study and treat conditions such as acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, hematuria, proteinuria, kidney stones, hypertension, and disorders of acid/base or electrolytes; systemic conditions that affect the kidneys, like diabetes and autoimmune disease; and other systemic diseases which occur as a result of kidney diseases namely osteodystrophy and hypertension. Preventive and rehabilitative diet, medication, dialysis, and organ transplant all come under the expertise of Nephrologists. The course, Doctor of Medicine in Nephrology aims to train doctors in this specialty so that they, armed with the latest scientific knowledge and essential skills may provide the utmost care to patients suffering from all renal health issues. Changing food habits, substance abuse, and lifestyle diseases all contribute to increasing the number of patients with renal ailments; and as such research and advancements in the field are robust and essential. Racial disparities in kidney health outcomes, The consequences of the COVID-19 on dialysis and kidney transplant recipients, benefits Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors offer to people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), use of genetic tools to assess and treat renal threats early, the timing of dialysis and transplant initiation, effectiveness of canagliflozin to prevent loss of kidney function in patients with diabetic kidney disease, and so on are some of the notable areas of study in the past few years.

Doctor of Medicine in Nephrology is a course constituted to train and empower medical students to practice the specialty of Nephrology with great accountability, competency, care, compassion, and in a way that benefits the community both ethically and scientifically. The coursework is tedious and requires hard work and dedication. Students will, in subsequent years cover anatomy and embryology of the kidney, basic knowledge of renal pathology, physiology of the kidney, basic knowledge of renal therapeutics, kidney diseases in pregnancy, study in renal diseases, trainings in renal Radiology, glomerular diseases, fluid and electrolyte disorders, kidney diseases in children, interstitial diseases, introductory knowledge of immunology, hereditary congenital kidney diseases, hypertension vascular diseases, kidney disorders in geriatrics among others. A candidate who has completed the course is expected to have achieved proficiency in performing and supervising hemodialysis, renal biopsies, SLED, CVVHD, CRRT, plasmapheresis, intermittent peritoneal dialysis, vascular access, and is also expected to be able to monitor and interpret investigative tests such as radiological, immunological, lab-based, tissue typing, urine examination, ultrasonography, and others. They must have inculcated attitudes of responsibility and caring; must have developed a sound foundation of Ethical Values in the practice of Urology; and should possess efficient communication skills. They may acquire such proficiency that they could themselves train paramedical and other personnel in the field and further the research and knowledge of the field.

Candidates who are desirous of taking the course must possess MD in a subject specified and approved by the Medical Council of India from an MCI recognized institution with a minimum aggregate score of fifty-five percent. Candidates shall be assessed by the institutions via entrance tests and personal interviews. The program shall be for three years. Successful candidates can find exciting career opportunities in various fields such as nephrology departments of hospitals, kidney and dialysis centers, general medical centers, nephrology healthcare service facilities, nephrology-based consultancies, private clinics, medical schools, or may further contribute through research or pedagogy.