General medicine dominates NEET PG 2025 choices; ‘most trusted, impactful’ branch, say doctors

General medicine is taking dominance over other postgraduate medical branches, medicos observed as the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) published the first National Eligibility Entrance Test - Postgraduate (NEET PG) seat allotment result 2025 for this academic session. The branch has, especially, replaced radiology which used to be the top choice among the NEET PG toppers, aspirants and doctors noted.

In round 1 of MCC NEET PG counselling 2025, a total of 26,889 candidates including 466 Non-Resident Indian (NRI) have been allotted seats. Among the top 20 rankers, some aspirants chose MD radio-diagnosis while others opted for MD/MS Obstetrics and Gynaecology), and MS dermatology/skin and venereal diseases/venereology.

Praising the medicine course, an MD in the branch said, “Among the top 100 rankers, a massive 46 chose MD Medicine, nearly half! Internal medicine continues to stand tall as the most trusted, most impactful and most intellectually fulfilling specialty. From critical care to chronic diseases, from diagnosis to direction, medicine shapes the entire hospital ecosystem.”

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“General Medicine is still on top of the board. 9 out of top 10 rankers took General Medicine!! Among the top 100 rankers, a massive 46 chose MD Medicine, nearly half! Feels good to see that!,” said a doctor.

NEET PG: MD surgery branch 'fading'

Raising concern regarding the surgery branches, a doctor asked, "Insane amount of people picking up General Medicine in this year's R1 NEET PG. Are surgical branches no more favoured? What's this trend going on?"

Another MD graduate posted, “In NEET PG 2025, 9 out of the top 10 rankers and 46 out of the top 100 chose General Medicine. Trends change, hype fades. General/Internal Medicine stays evergreen.”

An MD talked about surgical branch in length, exploring possible reasons of lack of interest for MS amongst NEET PG aspirants. "Why are students avoiding Surgery in NEET PG lately? Toxicity in many surgical branches hierarchy + workload scares most. PG isn’t enough anymore without SS/MCh, earning + career growth becomes tough. Very long learning curve unlike Medicine/Pediatrics/Dermatology,you can’t start independent practice right after PG. Starting your own practice is expensive OT setup costs are massive, and you can’t survive on OPD alone. Surgery is passion driven… but reality hits hard," he said.