Top NEET PG Branches That Are Losing Popularity — Should You Still Choose Them?

A doctor who got an All India Rank of 25,000 in the PG exam has to make a decision. The doctor can. Wait one more year to get into Radiology or join the MD Anatomy course at a very good government college right now. After three years, the doctor is an Associate Professor. Earns one hundred eighty thousand rupees every month. The doctor also gets weekends off. At the time, the doctor's batchmate is still studying for his second attempt at the NEET PG exam. The MD Anatomy course is not very popular. It gave the doctor a stable job, respect, and time to spend with his family. This is a story that people do not usually tell you about the courses that most people avoid, like MD Anatomy.

AT A GLANCE

NEET PG 2025 offers over 52,000 MD/MS/PG Diploma seats across India. While clinical branches like Radiology and Dermatology command cutoffs of 545+, non-clinical and para-clinical branches close at significantly higher ranks. MD Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, and Forensic Medicine often have seats available until mop-up rounds. The expected cutoff for Pathology is around 376 marks, while branches like Forensic Medicine can be secured with ranks of 20,000+ in the General category.

Understanding Branch Popularity in NEET PG

Branch popularity in NEET PG is driven by three factors: earning potential, work-life balance, and scope for private practice. Clinical branches like Radiology and Dermatology continue to lead due to their high ROI and better lifestyle balance. Core clinical branches like General Medicine and Pediatrics remain in high demand due to their foundational value. Meanwhile, pre-clinical and para-clinical specialties see declining interest despite offering unique career advantages.

NEET PG Branches Losing Popularity: Complete List

1. MD Anatomy

People do not like anatomy because they think it is only about teaching. They believe that people who study anatomy do not get to deal with patients. Most people who finish studying anatomy go on to teach, which a lot of doctors who have an MBBS degree find boring. They like taking care of patients more than teaching anatomy. It is just not as exciting to them as types of medicine where they get to help people directly.

Current Status:

• Expected Closing Rank: 50,000-80,000 (General)
• Available Seats: Limited (MS Anatomy has only 2 seats nationally in some years)
• Primary Career Path: Medical college faculty, research

Hidden Advantages: Anatomy professors are in high demand due to the mushrooming of new medical colleges. With 706+ MBBS colleges in India requiring qualified faculty, job security is excellent. Senior professors earn ₹2-3 lakhs monthly in government institutions.

2. MD Physiology

Why It's Unpopular: Like Anatomy, Physiology is considered a "non-patient-facing" specialty. The perception of being confined to lecture halls rather than hospital wards discourages many aspirants.

Current Status:

• Expected Closing Rank: 45,000-70,000 (General)
• Career Scope: Teaching, research, sports physiology
• Work Environment: Medical colleges, research institutes

Hidden Advantages: Physiologists are increasingly sought in sports medicine, aerospace medicine, and clinical research organizations. Exercise physiologists work with professional sports teams, earning competitive salaries. The knowledge of human physiology is invaluable in biotechnological firms that design medical devices or diagnostics.

3. MD Biochemistry

Why It's Unpopular: Biochemistry is viewed as too laboratory-focused with minimal patient interaction. The perception of being "stuck in a lab" makes it less attractive to those who entered medicine for clinical work.

Current Status:

• Expected Closing Rank: 55,000-85,000 (General)
• Primary Employers: Medical colleges, research labs, pharma
• Starting Salary: ₹6-10 LPA in academics

Hidden Advantages: With advancements in personalized medicine, biochemists are now in the spotlight, tailoring treatments to individuals based on their unique biochemical signatures. Clinical biochemists work in advanced diagnostic labs with salaries reaching ₹15-20 LPA in corporate hospitals. Pharmaceutical companies actively recruit biochemistry specialists for drug development roles.

4. MD Forensic Medicine & Toxicology

Why It's Unpopular: The nature of work — autopsies, court appearances, and interaction with law enforcement — doesn't appeal to everyone. The emotionally demanding aspects of death investigations deter many aspirants.

Current Status:

• Expected Closing Rank: 40,000-65,000 (General)
• Diploma seats: Only 1 seat available nationally
• Cutoff: Scoring 325+ gives you a shot at MD Forensic

Hidden Advantages: Entry-level salaries range from ₹6 to 10 lakhs per annum in government hospitals. Senior forensic experts serving as medical examiners for high-profile agencies can earn ₹15+ lakhs per annum. Private consultants and expert witnesses command high fees on a per-case basis. The field offers intellectual stimulation and plays a crucial role in the justice system.

5. MD Community Medicine / PSM (Preventive & Social Medicine)

People do not like Community Medicine because it seems to be more about paperwork and making rules than helping patients. The fact that it does not involve doing procedures and working in hospitals makes Community Medicine less appealing to many people. Community Medicine is just not as interesting to some people because it is not as hands-on as medical jobs.

Current Status:

• Expected Closing Rank: 35,000-60,000 (General)
• Diploma in Community Medicine: Only 1 seat available

Career Path: Public health administration, WHO, UNICEF

Advantages

• They are really important for government health programs. You can get jobs at places like the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and other international organizations.
•  These jobs can give you experience working around the world, and you can get paid well. Since the pandemic, people who are experts in health are needed more and more.
•  Community Medicine specialists can work in different areas, such as epidemiology, health policy, and program management. This is because Community Medicine specialists are very good at understanding how to keep people healthy.

Also Read: Clinical vs Non-Clinical vs Pre-Clinical PG Courses: Which One Should You Choose?

6. MD Pathology

People do not like Pathology as much as they used to. This is because Pathology is not as hands-on with patients as some medical fields. Pathology is mostly about working in a lab. You do not get to talk to patients much when you work in Pathology. This is why some people prefer Radiology over Pathology. Radiology is more popular than Pathology.

Current Status:

• Expected Cutoff Score: Around 376 marks
• Expected Closing Rank: 15,000-25,000 (General)
• Seats Available: Good availability in most states

Hidden advantages

• Pathologists are very important for diagnosis. They play a role in finding out what is wrong with a person. With more and more cancer centers and diagnostic chains coming up, histopathologists and clinical pathologists can earn a lot of money, around ₹15-25 LPA. Pathologists have options to specialize further in fields like Oncopathology and Molecular Pathology, which are really good for career growth. This means pathologists, like Oncopathology and Molecular Pathology experts, have a future ahead of them.

7. MD Microbiology

People do not like Microbiology because it is similar to jobs that are done in a lab. The problem with Microbiology is that it does not involve a lot of contact with patients, and it does not have procedures. Microbiology is a lab-based specialty. This is why people think it is not very interesting. Microbiology has limited contact, which is a big turn-off for many people.

Current Status:

Expected Closing Rank: 30,000-55,000 (General)

Career Path: Hospital labs, pharma, biotech

Research Opportunities: Extensive

Hidden Advantages: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical importance of microbiologists. Infection control specialists, clinical microbiologists, and virology experts are now highly valued. Pharmaceutical and biotech companies offer packages of ₹12-20 LPA for experienced microbiologists.

8. MD Pharmacology

Why It's Unpopular: Pharmacology is seen as purely academic with no direct patient care component. The misconception that it leads only to teaching limits interest.

Current Status:

• Expected Closing Rank: 45,000-75,000 (General)
• Career Path: Academics, pharma industry, clinical trials
• Industry Demand: High in the pharmaceutical sector

Hidden Advantages: Clinical pharmacologists are essential for drug trials and regulatory affairs. Pharmaceutical companies hire pharmacologists for medical affairs, pharmacovigilance, and drug safety roles with packages ranging from ₹15-30 LPA. Contract research organizations (CROs) offer excellent opportunities in clinical trial management.

9. MD Radiotherapy / Radiation Oncology

Why It's Unpopular: Despite being a clinical branch, Radiotherapy has relatively lower demand compared to Radiodiagnosis. The limited scope for private practice and the equipment-heavy nature of work affect interest.

Current Status:

• Available Seats: 374 MD Radiotherapy seats nationally
• Expected Cutoff: Around 420 marks
• Career Path: Cancer hospitals, radiation centers

Hidden Advantages: With cancer cases rising in India, radiation oncologists are increasingly needed. Corporate cancer centers offer packages of ₹20-40 LPA. The field offers a good work-life balance compared to surgical oncology, with regular working hours in most centers.

Also Read: How to Prepare for NEET PG 2026 and Achieve a Score of 650+

10. MD Tuberculosis & Respiratory Medicine / Pulmonary Medicine

Why It's Unpopular: The perception of dealing primarily with TB patients and the stigma associated with infectious diseases reduces appeal. Competition from interventional pulmonology also affects interest.

Current Status:

• Available Seats: 35 seats in Pulmonary Medicine
• Multiple seats available until stray rounds
• Career Path: Chest hospitals, TB centers, private practice

Hidden Advantages: Post-COVID, pulmonologists are in unprecedented demand. Interventional pulmonology procedures command high fees. Sleep medicine is an emerging subspecialty with excellent earning potential. Government TB programs offer stable employment with good salaries.

Cutoff Comparison: Popular vs. Unpopular Branches

Also Read: An Overview of the Beginner Roadmap and Study Plan | NEET PG 2026

Why are these bank branches losing popularity?

1. Limited Private Practice Opportunities

Medical fields like these can give doctors a chance to earn money away. They do this by seeing patients doing procedures and performing surgeries. On the other hand, non-medical fields are different. These jobs are mostly found in schools, hospitals, and places where people do medical research. Usually, doctors in these jobs get a salary. They do not really get to work on their own because of this.

2. Lower Perceived Earning Potential

Doctors who work with patients can make a lot of money, around ₹1-5 crore every year when they have their private practice. On the other hand, doctors who do not work with patients usually make around ₹10-25 lakhs every year when they have a regular job. This big difference in money is why students want to study to be specialists. Clinical specialists are in demand, and students want to become clinical specialists because they can make more money.

3. Limited Super-Specialization Options

Medical fields like Medicine can lead to specialties such as cardiology, neurology, and gastroenterology. On the other hand, surgical fields can lead to cardiac surgery and neurosurgery. The thing is, non-medical fields have few opportunities for advanced degrees like DM or MCh, which can make it tough for people who want to become super specialists in Medicine.

4. Social Perception & Family Pressure

The Indian healthcare system has always thought that doctors who treat patients are more important than doctors who teach. This is because families usually want their children to become doctors who take care of patients directly. The Indian healthcare system values treating doctors over teaching doctors. Students are often encouraged by their families to choose areas of medicine where they will be working with patients.

5. Lack of Awareness About Career Paths

A lot of students do not know about the jobs available in the pharmaceutical industry. The pharmaceutical industry has jobs. Students should also look at research and medico-legal consulting for jobs. International health organizations have jobs too. These places hire people who're not doctors or nurses. The pharmaceutical industry and these other places are looking for clinical specialists. Non-clinical specialists can find work in the pharmaceutical industry and other places, like clinical research and international health organizations.

So you are trying to figure out if you should still choose these branches. What are these branches about? Are these branches good options for you? You need to think about whether these branches are still the way to go. Should you still pick these branches? Look at something else? These branches may have been popular before. Are they still worth choosing now? You have to consider if these branches are still the choice for you.

Also Read: NEET PG 2026 Dropper Strategy: What to Change

YES, If You Value:

1. Work-Life Balance is really important for people who work in clinical branches. They usually have a schedule, which is from 9 to 5, and they get their weekends off. This is a plus because they do not have to deal with a lot of emergency calls. Work-Life Balance is great in -clinical branches because people who work there do not have to work at night or be on call all the time, which can be very stressful for clinical specialists.

2. Job Security is really good for people who work at a medical college. These are government jobs that come with pension benefits. There are always Medical colleges and AIIMS being built, which means Medical colleges will always need teachers, so there is a consistent demand for faculty at Medical colleges.

3. Academic And Research Interests

If you really love teaching and doing research, and you want to learn more about medicine, these areas can be very good for your career. You can write papers. Help students and add to what we know about medicine. This can be very fulfilling for people who work in these fields. The Academic And Research Interests are great for people who want to teach, do research, and make medicine better.

4. You know what to expect in a career in academics. The career path is straightforward: you start as an Assistant Professor, then you become an Associate Professor, after that you are a Professor, and then you can become the Head of Department, and finally you can even become a Dean. This is a path, and it gives you stability. A career in academics is more stable than a practice career because you can predict what will happen next. Academics have a career trajectory that is hard to find in private practice.

5. International Opportunities

The World Health Organization, UNICEF, Centers for Disease Control, and international non-government organizations are looking for people who specialize in Community Medicine, Microbiology, and Pathology to work on health programs. They really want Community Medicine specialists, Microbiology specialists, and Pathology specialists to help with these programs.

NO, If You:

• Want high earning potential through private practice
• Prefer direct patient interaction and clinical decision-making
• Seek procedural/surgical work
• Want to pursue super-specialization (DM/MCh)
• Are driven by immediate financial returns

Career Opportunities in "Unpopular" Branches

Academic Careers

Industry & Research Careers

Strategic Approach: Making the Right Choice

For NEET PG 2026 Aspirants with Ranks 30,000+

If you're in the 30,000-80,000 rank bracket, consider these "unpopular" branches strategically:

1. Take the Government Seat. A government college seat in MD Pathology or Forensic Medicine is often better than a private college seat in a clinical branch costing ₹50+ lakhs.

2. Build During PG Use your PG years to develop additional skills: research publications, teaching certifications, and industry connections. These compounds over time.

3. Explore Industry Early Connect with pharmaceutical companies, CROs, and diagnostic chains during your residency. Many hire PG students for part-time research roles.

4. Consider Foreign Opportunities. Non-clinical specialties are recognized internationally. Pathologists, microbiologists, and public health experts find opportunities in the USA, the UK, Australia, and the Middle East.

Also Read: NEET PG Paper Attempt Strategy: Sequence for Highest Scores

High-Yield Points for NEET PG Aspirants

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• So the courses like Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry are really popular. They get filled up quickly, usually when the rankings are between 50,000 and 85,000.
• The salary of a government professor can be anywhere from ₹80,000 to ₹3,00,000 every month. This is a range. Government professor salaries are good because they come with job security.
• The pharmaceutical industry pays a salary of fifteen to fifty lakhs per annum to people who work as clinical specialists in the pharmaceutical industry. 
• The Pathology cutoff is around 376 marks. This is a level of competition. The career scope for Pathology is really good.
• Forensic Medicine is accessible at ranks 40,000-65,000, with stable government careers
• A rank of 8000 in the PG is really good, and it can get you into non-clinical branches.
• The NEET PG can help you get into branches like Pathology and Microbiology, and Forensic Medicine.
• The balance between work and life is really good in clinical branches. It is much better than what people have in specialties. Work-life balance in clinical branches is great because it allows people to have time for themselves and their families. 
• International organizations are always looking for people who specialize in Community Medicine and Microbiology. They really want to hire Community Medicine specialists and Microbiology specialists to work with them. 
• New medical colleges (100+ approved recently) are creating unprecedented faculty demand

Frequently Asked Questions

Which NEET PG  branch has the lowest cutoff?

The National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test Post Graduate branch with the cutoff can vary. Generally, the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test Post Graduate branch that people think has the lowest cutoff is Preventive and Social Medicine, or Psychiatry, or Orthopedics, or Nuclear Medicine, or many others, like the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test Post Graduate branch of Psychiatry. The National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test Post Graduate branch of Preventive and Social Medicine is also one of them.

Is MD Pathology a good choice for NEET PG?

MD Pathology is a field that gives you a mix of work that is useful to people and time for your personal life. The PG 2025 Branch-wise Cutoff Score for MD Pathology is expected to be around 376. If you do MD Pathology, you will have good chances of getting a job in places like diagnostic labs, cancer centers, and hospitals. Big companies are also looking for pathologists, and they offer salaries of ₹15-25 LPA. MD Pathology is an option because you can work in many different places, like diagnostic labs and hospitals, and you can also work with corporate chains.

What is the salary of MD Forensic Medicine in India?

The salary for people who are just starting out is around ₹6 to 10 lakhs per year when they work in government hospitals. When you become a forensic expert or a medical examiner, you can earn ₹15 lakhs per year or even more. Some doctors work as consultants, and they help out in court cases. These private consultants can earn a lot of money for each case they work on. 

Can I get a teaching job after I complete my Doctor of Medicine in Anatomy? 

People really want to hire MD Anatomy graduates to teach at colleges. There are over 700 colleges in India, and they all need multiple anatomy professors, so MD Anatomy graduates have a lot of job options. If you get a government job, you can earn a salary of ₹80,000 to ₹2,00,000 every month. You also get pension benefits when you retire from your MD Anatomy job at a medical college. MD Anatomy graduates are very lucky to have many opportunities.

Is MD Community Medicine worth it?

The MD Community Medicine field has some great career options in areas like public health administration. You can work with organizations like the World Health Organization and UNICEF, and also with government health programs. After what happened with COVID, people who are experts in health are really needed now. If you want to work outside of your country, you can get paid a lot. Around $60,000 to $100,000 every year. If you are interested in health policy and epidemiology, then MD Community Medicine is a choice for you. MD Community Medicine is a field to consider.

Is it better to take a branch at a not very popular government college or a popular branch at a private college?

The government college has some things about it, like it is usually cheaper and the degree is valued a lot.. If you take an unpopular branch, you might not get a job as easily. On the other hand, private colleges are often very expensive, but they have popular branches that a lot of people want to study.

So you have to think about what's more important to you: the type of college or the type of branch. If you really want to study a branch, then a private college might be the way to go. If you want to save money and do not mind taking an unpopular branch, then a government college could be better for you.

CLINICAL PEARL

The best branch is not the one that pays the money or has the highest cutoff. It is the one that's right for you and your personality. It is the one that fits with the kind of life you want to live and what you want to achieve in the run. For example, a forensic medicine specialist who really cares about their work and is helping to make sure justice is served can have a fulfilling career. The same is true for an anatomy professor who is teaching and guiding doctors. These careers can be as fulfilling as being a dermatologist or a radiologist. The important thing is to make a choice about what you want to do, rather than just doing what everyone else thinks you should do

Before dismissing these branches based on cutoff trends, evaluate them against your personal priorities. In a career spanning 30-40 years, choosing a specialty you'll enjoy matters far more than choosing one everyone else wants.

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