3,020 candidates were allotted General Medicine in Round 1 of MCC NEET PG 2025. By Round 3, the number of candidates in General Medicine had grown to over 3,600. Not because new seats appeared — because candidates from every other speciality switched into it.
The magnet effect: +328 net gain
616 candidates switched INTO General Medicine from other specialities. 288 left. That's a net gain of 328 — the highest of any speciality in MCC 2025. General Medicine doesn't just hold its candidates. It pulls from everywhere.
Where did the 616 come from?
265 from Paediatrics alone — nearly half the inflow. Paediatrics is the biggest "feeder" speciality for General Medicine. This is a consistent pattern: candidates accept Paediatrics in R1 as a placeholder, then switch to Gen Med when a seat opens in R2 or R3.
The one speciality Gen Med loses to: Radiology
145 candidates left General Medicine for Radiology. That's half of all Gen Med exits. The reverse flow (Radiology → Gen Med) was only 78. Radiology is the one speciality that consistently pulls candidates AWAY from General Medicine.
90% retention — but context matters
2,714 of 3,020 R1 allottees stayed. 90% retention sounds high — and it is. But the story isn't just retention. It's that General Medicine is the default destination across the PG system. When candidates can't hold their preferred speciality, they move to Gen Med. When they can upgrade, they upgrade within Gen Med to a better institute.
This makes General Medicine both the safest choice and the most competitive. The demand isn't manufactured — it's revealed through 616 candidates who actively chose it over what they already had.
What does this mean for you?
If you're targeting Gen Med: expect competition from every direction. 616 candidates will try to switch into Gen Med during counselling. Your R1 allotment is strong but R2/R3 reshuffling is intense.
If you're deciding between Gen Med and Radiology: 145 candidates made that exact choice in 2025 and chose Radiology. 78 went the other way. The data slightly favours the Gen Med → Radiology direction. But both are strong specialities — the institute matters more than the speciality label.