NEET PG 2025: Meet the AIR Toppers
NEET PG 2025
New Delhi: The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) recently declared the results of NEET PG 2025, the country’s most competitive entrance exam for postgraduate medical seats.
The results, released on the official portal, include a detailed list carrying candidate names, roll numbers, marks, and All India Ranks (AIR). The exam was conducted on August 3, 2025, for admission to MD/MS/DNB/DrNB (Direct 6-Year Courses)/PG Medical Diploma Courses for the 2025-26 academic session, and the results were declared on August 19.
According to NBEMS, a total of 2,42,493 candidates were scheduled to appear in the PG medical entrance examination, out of which 2,30,114 appeared. Of them, 1,28,116 candidates have qualified.
The list confirmed the toppers of India’s postgraduate medical entrance examination. It highlights the achievers who excelled at the national level and belong to medical colleges across different states.
Dr. Pooshan Mahapatra secured the 1st rank with a remarkable score of 707/800, Dr. Greeshma Gautham earned AIR 2 with 705 marks, followed closely by Dr. Ashutosh, who also scored 705 marks to secure AIR 3. Dr. Kartikeya scored 701 marks to take the 4th rank, while Dr. Adarsh and Dr. Tanveer both scored 695 marks, securing AIR 5 and AIR 6, respectively. Dr. Sanjay bagged AIR 7 with 692 marks.
Journey of the Toppers
Dr. Pooshan Mahapatra, from Cuttack, Odisha, made his family and state proud by securing AIR 1 in NEET PG 2025 with a score of 707/800. He completed his MBBS from SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack in 2024 and served his mandatory internship from April 2024 to March 2025 at the same institute.
He shared that he spent 10–12 hours daily on structured study and mock tests from April to August. He revised concepts thoroughly, used online video lectures, and practised numerous mock tests and question banks to sharpen his accuracy and speed.
In a conversation with Odisha TV, he said, “I had never expected Rank 1. All I knew was that the exam had gone well. But, I had never thought that I would be in the top 100 or get a single-digit number. As per my MBBS, I always continued my studies. I also completed my internship on March 31. I continued my studies along with my internship. But, from January, I decided to appear for the NEET PG exam and thus began my serious preparation. After completing my internship, I studied thoroughly at home since April.”
Candidly speaking about his inspiration, Pooshan said, “My MBBS journey was unexpected. It was a sudden decision at the last minute. My elder sister is also a doctor and, SCB student. She is also doing her PG. In fact, she is a big factor for me to get into medicine.”
Dr. Greeshma Gautham from Kannur district, Kerala, secured All India Rank 2 with a score of 705 out of 800. She completed her MBBS from Thiruvananthapuram Medical College. Interestingly, during her school days, she had never considered becoming a doctor, but her perspective changed, inspiring her to pursue medicine. With meticulous preparation and dedication, she not only became a doctor but also achieved AIR 2 in NEET PG 2025.
In her previous attempt at NEET-PG, she had secured an AIR of close to 3,000 and a state rank of 530, following which she pursued specialised coaching for a year at DAMS in Kozhikode to prepare for the entrance exam.
Speaking to ETV Bharat, she said, "While the exam has fewer candidates compared to other entrance exams, the competition for the top rank is fierce, but a disciplined and consistent study routine is the secret to a higher rank."
She followed a structured study plan for eight to nine months, increasing her study hours to 12 hours a day in the final weeks leading to the exam. She emphasised the importance of note-reading, revision, and practising mock questions as essential steps to securing a top rank.
