NEET PG Mop-Up Round Cut-Off Trends: Speciality-Wise Analysis

Introduction

Did you know that thousands of NEET PG aspirants manage to secure a seat only during the mop-up round? For many candidates, this final stage of counselling becomes a golden opportunity to step into their dream speciality, sometimes at surprising cut-offs. But how do these cut-offs vary by speciality? What patterns can we trace from past mop-up rounds, and how can you use this knowledge to boost your chances this year?

In this detailed blog, we’ll break down speciality-wise mop-up round cut-off trends, highlight key insights for decision-making, and address common doubts candidates have during this crucial phase. Whether you’re targeting General Medicine, Dermatology, or Radio-Diagnosis, understanding these patterns can make the difference between settling for “any seat” and locking your preferred choice.

Why Are Mop-Up Rounds Critical in NEET PG?

Mop-up rounds are the counselling system’s safety net. After the first and second rounds, many seats still remain vacant due to candidate withdrawals, upgrades, or dropouts. These left-over seats re-enter the system during mop-up, often opening unexpected chances in popular specialities at slightly lower cut-offs.

• Unexpected Vacancies: Top rankers who take DNB/AIIMS/JIPMER seats leave gaps.
• Speciality Re-Shuffle: Candidates shifting branches free previously blocked seats.
• Greater Flexibility: Some states allow fresh registrations at this stage.

This translates to a unique pattern of cut-offs, often significantly lower than expected for certain branches.

Speciality-Wise Cut-Off Trends in Mop-Up Rounds

General Medicine and Paediatrics: Always Competitive

Medicine and Paediatrics remain highly sought after, and their mop-up round cut-offs usually stay close to Round 2 levels. For example, General Medicine has historically closed within the AIR 10,000–15,000 range in mop-up rounds of government colleges, while Paediatrics tends to fall within the 12,000–17,000 range depending on the state.

Radio-Diagnosis and Dermatology: Rare Openings, High Demand

Seats in Radio-Diagnosis and Dermatology rarely spill into mop-up rounds, but when they do, expect them to vanish quickly. Cut-offs for these specialities typically remain below AIR 7,000, even in mop-up rounds. However, private colleges sometimes show slightly relaxed cut-offs if fees are very high.

Anaesthesiology: Popular Backup with Lower Cut-Offs

Anaesthesiology often shows the largest number of mop-up round seats. This speciality can stretch to AIR 40,000–60,000, making it a common choice for those prioritizing a sure seat over branch preference.

Pathology and Microbiology: Easier Entry Points

These pre-clinical and para-clinical branches generally see declining demand, resulting in relaxed mop-up cut-offs. Candidates with AIR 70,000 and beyond often manage to grab seats in these specialities.

Orthopaedics and Obstetrics-Gynaecology: Mid-Tier but Unpredictable

Orthopaedics and OBGYN frequently see vacancies due to re-shuffling. Mop-up cut-offs may vary widely, with Orthopaedics closing around AIR 20,000–28,000 and OBGYN between 25,000–35,000, depending on state quota systems.

Psychiatry and Respiratory Medicine: Rising Popularity

Interestingly, fields like Psychiatry and Respiratory Medicine are trending upwards. With increasing awareness about mental health and pulmonology demand (especially post-pandemic), mop-up cut-offs for Psychiatry hover around 30,000–40,000, while Respiratory Medicine tends to settle between 22,000–30,000.

State-Wise Variations: Why Local Trends Matter

Cut-offs in mop-up rounds are heavily influenced by state counselling dynamics. For example:

• Tamil Nadu & Karnataka: Strong private medical college presence often leads to higher fee-driven specialities remaining open.
• UP & Bihar: Large seat pools mean more scope for mid-tier ranks to grab good clinical branches.
• Delhi & Maharashtra: Limited seats and high demand keep mop-up cut-offs consistently tight.

For anyone planning strategy, tracking state-specific mop-up cut-offs is just as critical as knowing the national outlook.

How Can Aspirants Strategize for the Mop-Up Round?

• Stay Flexible: Don’t fixate on one speciality. Have a ranked list of 3–4 options.
• Track Vacancies Early: Keep a close eye on counselling websites for unexpected exits.
• Balance Costs vs Branch: Private colleges may open seats but with very high fees. Factor in ROI.
• Use Past Trends: Mop-up cut-offs usually relax slightly but rarely shift dramatically for top-core branches.

How Career Plan B Supports Every Step

• Personalized Counseling: In-depth one-on-one counseling to align specialization, college choices, and career goals.
• Timeline & Reminder Service: Never miss a deadline—receive timely reminders and updates about institute-wise counseling calendars.
• Document Checklist & Verification: Guidance to prepare all required documentation, reducing stress on D-day.
• Preference Analysis: Analysis of seat trends, cut-offs, and college quality to build a winning choice list.
• Mock Counseling & Strategy: Practice sessions to simulate real counseling—boosting your confidence, reducing errors.
• Support for Appeals/Technical Issues: Help in resolving portal issues, appeals, or queries with admission authorities.

Have any doubts?
📞 Contact our expert counsellor today and get all your questions answered!

FAQ Section

1. Do mop-up round cut-offs drop drastically?
Not typically for top branches like Medicine, Radio-Diagnosis, or Dermatology. But para-clinical subjects like Pathology often see drastic relaxations.

2. Can I get a clinical speciality in mop-up with a 50,000 rank?
Yes, branches like Anaesthesiology, Psychiatry, or Pathology may offer options at this range, especially in private colleges.

3. Are mop-up round seats only from unfilled quotas?
Yes. They primarily include seats left vacant after round 2 due to withdrawals or unclaimed state quota allocations.

4. Is it wise to wait for the mop-up round?
Only if you’re not happy with existing options. Seats are limited, and competition is stiff. It should be part of a flexible backup strategy.

5. Do cut-offs vary between government and private colleges in mop-up?
Absolutely. Government seats close at far better ranks, while private seats may accept lower-ranked candidates due to fee structures.

Conclusion

The NEET PG mop-up round often acts as the last gateway for thousands of aspirants—and speciality-wise cut-off trends reveal both opportunities and limitations at this stage. Competitive subjects like Dermatology and Radio-Diagnosis remain hard to access, while Anaesthesiology, Psychiatry, and Pathology offer more realistic entry points.

Your best bet? Stay flexible, monitor state-level updates, and make quick but thoughtful decisions during the mop-up window. As Career Plan B emphasizes, understanding data-driven trends can turn the mop-up round from a gamble into a strategic advantage.

Are you preparing for mop-up counselling this season? Start shortlisting your branches today—because in the final round, every hour counts.