NEET PG Counselling Trends 2025 - Why 9 Out of 10 Top Rankers Choose General Medicine Over Radiology

Now that the first round of counseling, we’ve come to the conclusion that, as much as it was a gruesome process, a clear pattern was observed. The majority of top rankers have opted for General Medicine, while only one among the top ten chose Radiology. 

This sudden shift has come as a surprise to thousands of aspirants because Radiology has conventionally been one of the most sought-after branches. This change has initiated debates about career prospects, the growing influence of technology in the Medical field, and future speciality relevance. 

General Medicine vs Radiology — A Quick Comparison

If you are looking for a branch that is a fully clinical speciality with continuous patient interaction, broad case exposure, and direct involvement in diagnosis and management, General Medicine is your safest bet. 

On the other hand, Radiology is a para-clinical branch that focuses on interpreting imaging studies with limited patient contact. If that is more your preference, we’d advise you to choose Radiology without a second thought. 

Even though both of their work profiles differ significantly. While Medicine requires you to spend long hours in wards or ICUs, Radiology offers a more structured schedule centred around reporting rooms and imaging suites. 

And when it comes to their super-specialisation pathways, they differ to a great extent as well. Medicine offers you opportunities in a wide range of DM/MCh fields, including cardiology, gastroenterology, neurology, and more. 

Radiology offers specialities as well. These include fetal imaging, oncologic imaging, and the interventional radiology scope in India. But when it comes to the long-term growth, Medicine remains a major attraction for toppers.

Why General Medicine Is Becoming the First Choice for Top Rankers

Top rankers in 2025 seem increasingly drawn to the versatility that General Medicine provides. The branch allows them to build strong clinical foundations, pursue almost any internal medicine superspecialty, and take on a central role in critical care and ward management. For students who enjoy hands-on patient care and clinical decision-making, Medicine naturally feels more fulfilling.

There is also a steady rise in demand for internal medicine specialists across India, strengthening career security. With abundant academic and research opportunities, Medicine offers predictable long-term growth. For many toppers, this mix of depth, flexibility, and relevance explains why top rankers prefer Medicine this year.

Why Radiology Gained Less Preference This Year

The rapid advancement in technology and the overdependence on artificial intelligence in medical imaging are some of the most prominent factors influencing the choices this year. 

Students are rightfully questioning the long-term security of the branch because of a plethora of tools, including radiology AI platforms, automated image-screening programs, and AI radiology software.  

These tools are specifically designed to augment radiologists rather than replace them, but the uncertainty impacts the perception of Radiology among aspirants. 

Another factor that is making the students a tad apprehensive about choosing Radiology is uneven job distribution and increasing competition. In metro cities, Radiology remains highly saturated. And the fact that the students have always heard things like “Establishing a private setup requires substantial investment,” makes it a reluctant choice. 

Limited direct patient contact also makes the branch less appealing to students who enjoy bedside medicine. 

These are a few reasons that have contributed to fewer top rankers choosing Radiology in NEET PG Counselling 2025. 

Also Read: Top 10 Most Demanding Branches of PG Medical Courses India

Myth vs Reality: Is Radiology Really Losing Its Charm?

Despite the concerns, Radiology continues to be one of the most important pillars of modern healthcare. The demand for diagnostic imaging is rising rapidly, and artificial intelligence medical imaging tools actually increase efficiency rather than replace radiologists.

Globally and within India, the radiology scope in India remains strong, especially for those trained in advanced modalities like cardiac MRI, fetal imaging, and interventional work.

Similarly, even though some ask about the BSc radiology scope in India, postgraduate radiologists hold significantly more responsibility and career opportunities compared to technicians.

Subspecialties such as interventional radiology are expanding fast, offering high clinical involvement and impressive outcomes. Radiology, therefore, isn’t losing relevance — it is evolving.

Which Branch Should Students Choose?

Choosing between general medicine vs radiology should never be based on trends alone. Medicine suits students who enjoy long-term patient care, clinical challenges, and a multi-disciplinary approach. Radiology fits those who prefer analytical thinking, pattern recognition, and working with cutting-edge imaging technology.

It is also important to think about personality fit — whether you prefer bedside work or technology-driven decision support, whether you enjoy acute care settings or structured work hours, and how you visualise your career ten years from now.

Aspirants should reflect on their strengths, clinical experiences, interests during internship, and long-term professional goals before locking into a branch.

Expert Advice for NEET PG Aspirants

The worst decision students can make is choosing a speciality out of fear. The fear of AI, the fear of missing out, or even the fear of competition should not come between you and your choices. Your decision should rather be grounded in genuine interest, aptitude, and long-term vision.

If you wish to know and understand what daily work actually feels like in both fields, you must talk to mentors, residents, and consultants and indulge yourselves in observerships, clinical postings, and radiology rotations. 

Wrapping Up 

The trend seen in NEET PG Counselling 2025 depicts the aspirants’ current preferences more than the value of any branch. It was observed that General Medicine was a naturally attractive branch to many toppers because it offers expansiveness, clinical engagement, and strong superspecialization pathways. 

On the other hand, Radiology remains indispensable and continues to evolve with technology. That’s the reason why it is an excellent career for students. There is no better choice. The best branch is the one that is aligned with your passion, strengths, and vision 

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. Why are NEET PG toppers choosing General Medicine over Radiology this year?

The choice is getting simpler for most of the toppers every year because Medicine offers broad clinical exposure, strong super-specialisation pathways, and high relevance in both hospitals and critical care settings. 

2. Is Radiology losing demand because of Artificial Intelligence?

There is no doubt about the fact that AI is becoming the greatest influencer in imaging workflows. But it is more of a supportive resource rather than a replacement. Radiologists are always going to remain significant, and the demand for imaging will continue to grow. 

3. Which branch has higher earning potential — Medicine or Radiology?

Both of the fields have equal earning potential. The only difference is that while Radiology offers quicker financial stability, the income in the Medicine field grows gradually but significantly with super-specialisation. 

4. Which NEET PG branch provides a better work-life balance?

This is the question that we can now answer with absolute certainty. Radiology typically offers more predictable hours and hence a more flexible work-life balance. Medicine can be more demanding, especially in wards and ICUs. But the good news is that lifestyle tends to improve with specialisation. 

5. How should a NEET PG aspirant decide between Medicine and Radiology?

Choose based on interest, personality fit, clinical vs tech-driven preference, and your long-term goals — not on trends or peer choices.