New Delhi: A recent analysis of NEET PG 2025 counselling trends reveals a significant shift in speciality preferences among India’s highest-ranked medical graduates. Data from the first round of counselling indicates that General Medicine (MD) and Radiodiagnosis (MD Radio-Diagnosis) have emerged as the most preferred branches, while interest in core surgical disciplines has dropped to a historic low.
Top Rankers Choosing Medicine & Radiology Over Surgery
According to counselling records, out of the top 1,500 NEET PG 2025 candidates:
- 632 aspirants opted for MD General Medicine
- 447 chose MD Radiodiagnosis
- Only 99 selected MS General Surgery
This marks one of the steepest declines in surgical preference among top scorers, indicating a major realignment in postgraduate medical ambition.
Read Also: NMC Broad Specialist PG Seat Matrix (Out) at nmc.org.in; Download Updated List
Join NEET PG News 2025 Why Are Candidates Avoiding Surgery?
Medical experts attribute the shift to several factors:
1. High-risk workload & medico-legal pressure
Surgical branches involve long working hours, unpredictable emergencies, and significant medico-legal risks. For many young doctors, the fear of complications and legal consequences is a major deterrent.
2. Long training period & delayed career stability
Unlike medicine or radiology, surgery often requires additional super-specialisation (MCh/DM) before establishing a stable practice. This extended training period discourages many rankers seeking early financial and professional stability.
3. Better perceived work-life balance in non-surgical fields
Branches like Radiology, Dermatology, Psychiatry, and General Medicine are increasingly viewed as offering more predictable hours and a comparatively balanced lifestyle.
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Read Also: NEET PG 2025 Counselling Revised Prospectus Out at mcc.nic.in; Download Now
Dr Santosh singh, Professor at AIIMS Patna says, “establishing a successful surgical career has lengthened considerably. General surgery is now just the foundation, and most graduates feel compelled to pursue further super-specialisation in fields such as neurosurgery, urology, paediatric surgery, plastic surgery, or cardiothoracic surgery. This extended pathway makes the branch less appealing to today’s aspirants.”
Why Medicine and Radiology Are Gaining Popularity
MD General Medicine
- Acts as a gateway to multiple DM super-specialties
(Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Nephrology, Endocrinology) - Offers broad clinical exposure
- Strong long-term career growth in both government & private sectors
MD Radiology
- High demand due to the rise in diagnostic imaging
- Attractive earning potential even early in career
- Minimal medico-legal complications compared to surgery
- Flexible work patterns, including teleradiology options
Experts Warn of Possible Surgeon Shortage in Future
The decline in surgery preference among top-ranked candidates raises concerns about the long-term availability of skilled surgeons in India. Healthcare leaders caution that if this trend continues, the country may face:
- Shortages in trauma & emergency surgery
- Gaps in critical specialties like neurosurgery, cardiothoracic surgery, oncology surgery
- Increased load on existing surgical teams
The shift underscores the need for systemic improvements in surgical training, working conditions, and medico-legal protection for doctors.
If this trend continues, India will face extreme shortage of specialised surgeons, Dr Manish warns.
Implications for NEET PG Aspirants & Counselling 2025
- Competition for Medicine and Radiology seats especially in top institutes is expected to intensify further.
- Surgical branches may see comparatively lower cut-offs, opening opportunities for mid-rank candidates.
- Changing preference patterns may influence counselling strategies, seat allotment trends, and future medical workforce distribution.
Read Also: NEET PG 2025 Round 1 Analysis: Why General Medicine Is the No.1 Choice This Year
