Expert Commission Presents Report to Supreme Court on Transition of NEET-PG Admission System from Percentiles to Ranking

General Medicine secured more allocated seats than Radiological Diagnostics among the leading candidates in the first round of NEET-PG 2026 counseling. This fact highlights the competitive appeal of both sought-after specialties after graduation.

According to Anuj Jaiswal, General Medicine ranked 51st out of the top hundred spots in the first round of NEET-PG 2026 distribution, surpassing Radiological Diagnostics among the top applicants.

Professor Niraj Nishal, an Internal Medicine specialist at AIIMS, noted that although financial rewards may not materialize immediately, the potential for super-specialization and professional growth in this field is immense. He emphasized that the choice of specialization should be based on what brings satisfaction to the doctor, rather than solely on the speed of earning.

Grupo Med Imagem, managed by Athena Saúde, will increase the availability of tests and surgical procedures through the Unified Health System (SUS) in the city of Teresina. This expansion was recently realized through a collaboration established with the Ministry of Health.

This expansion is part of the program called Agora Tem Especialistas and includes a financial contribution of R$ 8.9 million aimed at strengthening specialized care in the state of Piauí, with the goal of reducing long waiting lists in the public health network.

The partnership allows hospital infrastructure to be used to serve patients under SUS, covering exams such as MRI, CT scan, endoscopy, and colonoscopy, in addition to various surgical procedures. During the formalization event, the Work Plan and Execution Term related to the proposals from Hospital Santa Maria and Prontomed Adulto were signed, both units belonging to Grupo Med Imagem in the Piauí capital.

At Hospital Santa Maria, the expansion includes the introduction of new surgical options, such as bariatric and gynecological surgeries, including vaginal hysterectomy. The project is scheduled to be executed over the next twelve months. According to data provided by the State Health Secretariat (Sesapi), these units have already performed more than 1,500 surgeries within the scope of the program until October 2026.

Felipe Scipiao, national medical manager of Grupo Athena Saúde, celebrated the achievement, stating that the signing of the partnership with the Ministry of Health, via the Agora Tem Especialistas program, will allow the Piauí population to access MRI, CT scan, endoscopy, and colonoscopy exams. He emphasized that this reinforces Grupo Med Imagem's commitment to providing high-quality healthcare in a coordinated and integrated manner with the local community.

Rodrigo Alves, director of the Department of Strategies for Expansion and Qualification of Specialized Care (DEEQAE) representing the Ministry of Health, highlighted the expansion of services at Hospital Santa Maria. He expressed satisfaction at returning to Teresina, Piauí, to sign the addendum, which represents the expansion of a successful project. Alves mentioned that, in addition to general surgeries, bariatric surgeries will be incorporated, which have a great social impact.

The director also stressed the collaboration between the federal, state, and municipal governments to improve access to specialized services and reduce waiting times. Meanwhile, Phamela Vieira, Hospital Operations Manager at Med Imagem, underlined the importance of maintaining this initiative. She confirmed the inclusion of gynecological surgeries and vaginal hysterectomy, classifying it as a significant milestone. Vieira guaranteed that the execution of these procedures will continue over the next 12 months, as they bring great benefits to both society and the group itself.

According to the manager, this collaboration strengthens Grupo Med Imagem's presence in supporting the Piauí population, uniting the service capacity of Prontomed Adulto and Santa Maria hospitals with the efforts of the Ministry of Health to expand SUS access to specialized treatments and exams. With this expansion in Teresina, the initiative helps address accumulated demand and ensures greater access for the population to healthcare.

Among the most talented young doctors vying for top rankings, there is a significant shift in their views on their career path after graduation. General Medicine has taken the first choice spot, significantly surpassing Radiology among the most capable graduates of Indian medical universities.

In the first round of allocation for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test - Postgraduate (NEET-PG) 2026, 51 doctors in the top 100 chose General Medicine, while the number of applicants who chose Radiology dropped to only 28.

This shift is not sudden nor does it signify a complete rejection of radiology. It indicates what the country's most gifted young doctors desire: the opportunity to follow a path of super-specialization, take on broad clinical responsibilities, shield themselves from the influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and have the ability to treat patients directly.

Rise in Popularity of Medicine in Previous Cycles

Analysis shows a gradual increase in interest in General Medicine. In 2024, the difference was small: 48 top performers chose medicine, and 45 chose radiology. In 2025, the ratio was 46 to 40. However, in 2026, this gap increased substantially, reaching 51 to 28.

Medicine as a Career Launchpad

Experts monitoring trends in medical education note that this change challenges the old idea that the most sought-after specialties are those with fixed working hours or higher salaries. Dr. Aviral Mathur, an associate consultant at Sar Ganga Ram Hospital and former chairman of FORDA, believes that medicine has transformed from merely an end goal into a 'launchpad' for a career. By obtaining an MD in medicine, doctors can pursue further training in fields such as cardiology, neurology, nephrology, gastroenterology, and critical care, earning a DM qualification, thereby not limiting themselves to a narrow scope.

Serious Issues Facing Radiology

Despite radiology remaining a prestigious field, students are showing caution due to several new problems. One such factor is the fear of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Fear of AI

Rapidly developing AI tools in medical imaging are making students question how the work of radiologists will change or suffer over the next decade.

Furthermore, there is the issue of expensive infrastructure. Dr. Satendra Singh from the University College of Medical Sciences (UCMS) points out that equipping and installing equipment for radiology is very costly, and the risk of long-term radiation exposure is also one of the factors.

The limited number of seats should also be noted: there are about 1200 seats for MD in Radiology in India, whereas there are over 4000 for General Medicine. Sometimes students choose medicine over radiology even if they fail to get into their desired college.

The Sense of a Real Doctor and Patient Connection

Dr. Harjit Singh Bhatti, a geriatric specialist from Sitaram Hospital and former chairman of AIIMS RDA, emphasizes that the growing burden of lifestyle diseases, the increase in the elderly population, and the increasing complexity of healthcare needs have heightened the importance of the physician's role. He argues that 'the sense of a real doctor comes from medicine.' This allows for long-term patient care by combining symptoms, test results, and medical history. The attraction to this field has also been strengthened by the central role of the physician in caring for critically ill patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The experts' conclusion is clear: modern young doctors are choosing their specialty not only based on ease of life or initial income but are also investing in a broad clinical foundation that will open up numerous career opportunities for them in the future.