Karnataka NEET-PG: 52 of top 100 allotments go to general medicine

Fifty-two of the top 100 students allotted seats in Karnataka’s first round of NEET-PG counselling chose general medicine, making it the most selected specialty in this group.

MD radio diagnosis followed with 25 allotments, while dermatology had 11. Together, the three specialties accounted for 88 of the 100 allotments. Orthopaedics, general surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, and paediatrics accounted for the remaining 12.

Bhagavan BC, vice-chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, said general medicine can lead to super-specialties including nephrology and geriatric medicine, while also allowing independent clinical practice. He said concerns about artificial intelligence affecting prospects in radio diagnosis, and saturation in orthopaedics and surgery, may also be influencing choices.

Karnataka has 9,887 postgraduate medical seats this academic year, the highest in the country. Colleges expect lower demand for some pre- and para-clinical courses and may waive fees for them; students would still receive stipends.

In undergraduate admissions, 47 MBBS management-quota seats may remain vacant after special stray-vacancy counselling. Their annual fees range from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 40 lakh.