According to the counselling trend data, 9 of the top 10 All India Rank holders opted for MD General Medicine in leading medical institutions. Among the top 100 candidates, nearly 46 chose General Medicine, making it the most dominant branch in NEET PG 2025 Round-1 admissions.

Why MD General Medicine Leads NEET PG 2025 Preferences

1. Strong Trust Factor & Long-Term Career Security

General Medicine continues to be regarded as one of the most stable and versatile branches in postgraduate medical education. It offers extensive clinical exposure, forms the backbone of many super-specialties, and provides a balance of intellectual fulfilment, professional flexibility, and sustained career stability—key factors influencing student decisions this year.

2. Clear Pathway to DM Super-Specialties

A major reason behind the surge in preference is the strong gateway that General Medicine provides to top DM programmes such as Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Critical Care, Rheumatology, and others. Aspirants view this as a high-growth trajectory that aligns with long-term career advancement.

3. Declining Interest in Surgical Streams

This year's trends show reduced inclination among toppers toward surgical branches like General Surgery and Orthopaedics. Longer training duration, intense workload, and comparatively slower early-career progression are cited as reasons for the decreasing appeal of surgical disciplines.

4. Radiology Shifts to Second Place

MD Radiodiagnosis, though still a premium and high-demand speciality, experienced a slight dip compared to recent years. General Medicine has now surpassed Radiology to become the No.1 choice among the highest scorers in NEET PG 2025.

Key Highlights: NEET PG 2025 Branch Selection Trends

• MD General Medicine dominates Round-1 choices across top ranks.
• Top 10 ranks: 9 candidates choose General Medicine.
• Top 100 ranks: ~46 candidates opt for General Medicine.
• Radiology remains popular but sees a minor decline.
• Surgical disciplines reflect reduced enthusiasm among top scorers.

This shift points to a broader evolution in postgraduate preferences, driven by considerations such as work-life balance, long-term stability, and increasing demand for skilled physicians in India.

Impact on India’s Future Medical Workforce

Experts believe that the trend toward General Medicine may influence healthcare staffing patterns in the coming decade:

• Higher competition for DM super-speciality seats.
• Potential shortages in surgical specialities if interest continues to drop.
• Greater emphasis on internal medicine and hospital-based roles.
• More PG doctors gravitating towards OPD-based practice and general healthcare.

The growing preference for General Medicine underscores a change in career aspirations among young doctors—prioritizing patient engagement, broader exposure, and diverse professional opportunities.

Implications for Future NEET PG Aspirants

For upcoming NEET PG candidates, these evolving trends are crucial:

• General Medicine offers strong clinical grounding, broad exposure, and multiple DM pathways.
• For aspirants targeting Radiology or Surgery, securing a high rank is essential, as seat availability remains limited.
• Students should evaluate both national trends and personal career goals during counselling for informed decision-making.