Dr. Prashant Saxena, Principal Director of Pulmonology, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj, is widely regarded as one of the best lung specialists in Delhi. With 22 years of experience and international training in interventional pulmonology, he was recently honoured as Leading Pulmonologist of the Year 2026 at the ET Health Conclave Awards. Delhi is also home to several other highly experienced pulmonologists across Max Healthcare, Medanta, BLK-Max, and Metro Hospitals, listed in detail below.
Breathing is easy to take for granted until it isn’t. A cough that won’t quit, breathlessness on stairs you used to climb without thinking, or a chronic condition that needs steady management: these are the moments people start searching for a pulmonologist. Delhi has no shortage of good ones, but with the city’s air quality putting extra strain on everyone’s lungs, knowing who to see and why matters more here than almost anywhere else in the country.
This guide covers the warning signs worth paying attention to, Delhi’s most experienced lung specialists, and what to expect from modern pulmonology care.
Top Lung Specialists in Delhi at a Glance
| Rank | Doctor | Hospital | Experience | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dr. Prashant Saxena | Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj | 22+ years | Interventional pulmonology, critical care, sleep medicine |
| 2 | Dr. Vivek Nangia | Max Healthcare, Saket | 29+ years | Interventional pulmonology, infectious diseases |
| 3 | Dr. Anand Jaiswal | Medanta, Gurugram | 30+ years | TB and respiratory disease research, sleep medicine |
| 4 | Dr. Sandeep Nayar | BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital | 32+ years | Interstitial lung disease, sleep apnea |
| 5 | Dr. Deepak Talwar | Metro Respiratory Center, Noida | 37+ years | COPD, respiratory failure |
| 6 | Dr. Jagdish Chander Suri | Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj | 35+ years | Airway diseases, asthma, COPD |
| 7 | Dr. Vikas Mittal | CK Birla Hospital, Delhi | 18+ years | Interventional pulmonology, sleep medicine |
| 8 | Dr. Sachin Baliyan | Fortis C-Doc, Chirag Enclave | 11+ years | Sleep medicine, interventional pulmonology |
Understanding Pulmonology: Why a Lung Specialist Matters
A pulmonologist is a doctor who specializes in the respiratory system: the lungs, airways, and everything involved in getting oxygen into your body and carbon dioxide out. Getting there takes years of training beyond medical school, focused specifically on diagnosing and treating conditions that a general physician isn’t equipped to manage on their own.
That covers a wide range, from common issues like asthma and bronchitis to more serious conditions such as lung cancer, COPD, and pulmonary fibrosis. In a city like Delhi, where air quality is a daily concern rather than an occasional one, having access to a skilled pulmonologist isn’t a luxury. It’s part of basic healthcare planning.
Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
According to the American Lung Association, certain symptoms should prompt a visit to a specialist rather than a wait-and-see approach.
Chronic cough. A cough that’s lasted eight weeks or more isn’t just a lingering cold. It usually means something is affecting your respiratory system and needs a proper look.
Shortness of breath. Getting winded after a flight of stairs can be normal. Breathlessness during light activity, or at rest, is not.
Chest pain or tightness. Unexplained discomfort in the chest, especially when it worsens with deep breaths or coughing, deserves prompt attention.
Wheezing. That high-pitched whistle when you breathe usually points to narrowed or obstructed airways.
Chronic mucus production. Excess phlegm for more than a month is your body flagging ongoing irritation in your airways.
Coughing up blood. Even a small amount in your sputum needs immediate medical evaluation, no exceptions.
Frequent respiratory infections. If bronchitis or pneumonia keeps coming back, it’s worth finding out why instead of treating each episode in isolation.
Early intervention changes outcomes. Waiting rarely helps.
Top Lung Specialists in Delhi (2026)
1. Dr. Prashant Saxena – Best Lung Specialist in Delhi
Principal Director, Pulmonology, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj
Dr. Prashant Saxena has 22 years of experience and is one of Delhi’s most credentialed pulmonologists, holding FRCP (Edinburgh), EDIC (Europe), FCCP (USA), and EDARM (Europe) qualifications alongside his MD. His training took him to Westmead and Liverpool Hospitals in Sydney for critical care, Greece for interventional pulmonology, France for thoracoscopy, and Italy for pediatric bronchoscopy, giving him a genuinely international grounding in respiratory medicine.
In 2026, he was honoured as Leading Pulmonologist of the Year at the ET Health Conclave Awards, adding to earlier recognitions including the Clinical Excellence Award. He also teaches for the Indian Diploma in Critical Care (IDCCM) and serves as an examiner for MRCP (UK) through the Royal College of Physicians.
Beyond individual patient care, Dr. Saxena has developed infection-prevention protocols and antibiotic stewardship programs that have measurably reduced hospital-acquired infections at the institutions he’s worked with, and introduced Rapid Response Team frameworks to catch deteriorating patients faster. For patients dealing with COPD, asthma, or complex critical-care needs, that combination of hands-on clinical depth and systems-level thinking is a big part of what sets him apart.
2. Dr. Vivek Nangia
Vice Chairman and Head of Pulmonology, Max Healthcare, Saket
Dr. Nangia has 29 years of experience and is one of the few pulmonologists in the country with a formal qualification in infectious diseases (MSc, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine). He trained in sleep medicine at Stanford, pediatric pulmonology at Royal Brompton Hospital in London, and critical care at the Cleveland Clinic, and is known in Delhi for pioneering bronchoscopic interventions and medical thoracoscopy.
3. Dr. Anand Jaiswal
Senior Director, Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Medanta, Gurugram
With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Jaiswal has built one of the more research-heavy careers in Delhi-NCR pulmonology. He holds a WHO fellowship in TB research and operations and has contributed to studies with sponsors including AMGEN and Pfizer. His clinical focus spans COPD, bronchial asthma, and pulmonary tuberculosis.
4. Dr. Sandeep Nayar
Principal Director and Head, Pulmonology, BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital
Dr. Nayar brings 32 years of experience with a particular focus on interstitial lung diseases, sleep apnea, and medical thoracoscopy. His work in interventional pulmonology has made him a regular referral point for complex respiratory cases in Delhi.
5. Dr. Deepak Talwar
Senior Consultant, Metro Respiratory Center, Noida
Dr. Talwar has over 37 years of experience managing advanced respiratory conditions, including COPD, respiratory failure, and complex interventional pulmonology cases. His long track record makes him a trusted option for patients with complicated or long-standing lung conditions.
6. Dr. Jagdish Chander Suri
Consultant Pulmonology, Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj
With over 35 years of experience, Dr. Suri specializes in airway diseases, asthma, and COPD. He has served as national advisor for the Pulmonary Group of the Drug Controller General of India and as a former president of the Indian Sleep Disorder Association.
7. Dr. Vikas Mittal
Director and Pulmonologist, CK Birla Hospital, Delhi
Dr. Mittal has 18 years of experience across Max Healthcare, Manipal Hospital, and Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute before his current role at CK Birla Hospital. He’s an International Scholar sponsored by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and focuses on interventional pulmonology, sleep medicine, and chronic lung diseases like difficult asthma, COPD, and interstitial lung disease.
8. Dr. Sachin Baliyan
Consultant, Pulmonology and Critical Care, Fortis C-Doc, Chirag Enclave
Dr. Baliyan trained at the VP Chest Institute and Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, with a fellowship in sleep medicine from the Indian Sleep Disorder Association. With 11 years of experience, he specializes in interventional procedures including EBUS and lung biopsy, alongside sleep disorders like sleep apnea and insomnia.
Common Respiratory Conditions and How They’re Treated
Asthma. A chronic inflammatory airway disease causing recurring wheezing, coughing, and breathlessness, usually managed with inhalers, bronchodilators, and trigger avoidance.
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). A progressive condition affecting airflow that requires long-term management through medication, pulmonary rehabilitation, and in some cases oxygen therapy.
Tuberculosis. Still common in India, TB needs a full course of anti-TB medication under expert supervision to avoid drug resistance. If you suspect TB or need a specialist for diagnosis and treatment, it’s worth reading our dedicated guide to Delhi’s best TB specialists.
Lung cancer. Early detection changes the odds significantly. Treatment can involve surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or targeted therapy depending on stage. For a closer look at Delhi’s top lung cancer specialists and what treatment involves, see our full breakdown.
Sleep apnea. Repeated breathing interruptions during sleep, managed with CPAP therapy, lifestyle changes, or in some cases surgery.
Pulmonary fibrosis. Scarring of lung tissue that requires specialized, ongoing management to slow progression.
Interstitial lung disease. A group of conditions affecting the tissue between air sacs, requiring careful diagnosis and tailored treatment.
Pneumonia and bronchitis. Common lung infections that need prompt treatment to avoid complications.
Advanced Diagnostic and Treatment Technologies Dr. Saxena Uses
Interventional pulmonology, Dr. Saxena’s core specialty, is really defined by which of these tools a doctor is trained to use, not just whether the hospital owns the equipment. Here’s what’s involved in each, and where it fits into his practice at Fortis, Vasant Kunj:
- Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT): measure lung capacity, airflow, and gas exchange, usually the first step in working up any chronic breathing complaint
- Advanced bronchoscopy: direct visualization of the airways with biopsy capability, a core part of interventional pulmonology
- Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS): combines ultrasound with bronchoscopy to examine lymph nodes and catch early-stage cancers
- Medical thoracoscopy: a minimally invasive procedure Dr. Saxena trained in specifically in France, used to examine and treat pleural conditions
- Sleep studies (polysomnography): overnight monitoring for sleep-related breathing disorders, part of his sleep medicine practice
- High-resolution CT scans: detailed imaging for interstitial lung disease and small abnormalities
- Interventional procedures: airway stenting, foreign body removal, pleural fluid drainage
- Pulmonary rehabilitation: structured exercise and education programs to improve lung function
Every treatment plan is built around the specific condition, medical history, and goals of the patient, not a one-size-fits-all protocol. You can see the full range of consultations and procedures offered on the services page.
When Should You See a Lung Specialist?
Don’t wait for symptoms to get worse before booking an appointment. Early intervention matters most for conditions like lung cancer, COPD, and pulmonary fibrosis, where outcomes improve significantly the earlier treatment starts.
Consider seeing a Lung Specialist if you:
- Have any of the warning symptoms mentioned earlier
- Are a current or former smoker
- Have a family history of lung disease
- Work in environments with chemical, dust, or fume exposure
- Have been exposed to asbestos or similar substances
- Keep getting respiratory infections
- Have a chronic condition that needs ongoing specialist management
Given Delhi’s air quality, regular check-ups matter even without obvious symptoms. Many respiratory conditions develop slowly, and a routine screening can catch problems long before they become serious.
Conclusion
Delhi’s air quality makes a good lung specialist a standing part of healthcare, not an occasional need. Dr. Prashant Saxena’s international training, critical care expertise, and recognition as Leading Pulmonologist of the Year make him a strong first call for anything from asthma to complex interventional cases. Among the lung specialists listed here, prioritize experience, sub-specialty fit, and hospital infrastructure over convenience alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Who is the best lung specialist in Delhi?
Dr. Prashant Saxena, Principal Director of Pulmonology, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj, is widely regarded as one of Delhi’s leading pulmonologists, with 22 years of experience and the 2026 Leading Pulmonologist of the Year award from the ET Health Conclave Awards.
Q2. Which hospital is best for lung treatment in Delhi?
Fortis Hospital (Vasant Kunj), Max Super Speciality Hospital (Saket), BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital, and Medanta (Gurugram) all run well-established pulmonology departments with advanced diagnostic and interventional capabilities.
Q3. What’s the difference between a pulmonologist and a chest physician?
In India, the terms are largely used interchangeably. Both refer to doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating diseases of the lungs and respiratory system.
Q4. How do I choose the right pulmonologist in Delhi?
Look at years of experience, sub-specialty (interventional pulmonology, sleep medicine, critical care), hospital affiliation, and whether their focus matches your specific condition, whether that’s asthma, COPD, a sleep disorder, or a more complex interventional case.
Q5. What conditions does a pulmonologist treat?
Asthma, COPD, tuberculosis, lung cancer, sleep apnea, pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial lung disease, pneumonia, and bronchitis, among other respiratory and sleep-related conditions.
Q6. When should I see a lung specialist instead of a general physician?
If symptoms like chronic cough, breathlessness, or wheezing last more than a few weeks, or if you have a diagnosed chronic respiratory condition, a lung specialist’s specialized training and diagnostic tools go well beyond what a general physician can offer.
Q7. Is Dr. Prashant Saxena good for critical care and ICU-related lung conditions?
Yes. Alongside pulmonology, Dr. Saxena heads critical care at Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj, with fellowship training in intensive care from Westmead and Liverpool Hospitals in Sydney, Australia.
