Apart from all the answers that provide excellent analysis on why radiology is a top branch, I would like to point out a different perspective.
I believe part of this trend is because of the coaching industry, the PG Preparation.
Every class I attended in coaching I was reminded by the faculties that we need to have a very good rank within this this range to get this clinical seat. The picture is made such that he earns this much, he has this much of fame going into this clinical branch.
Nobody talks about non-clinical branches.
Nobody says that Beta get a top rank, and choose the subject you love.
I remember the hue and cry when NEET PG 1 took Surgery in MAMC rather than Medicine.
Today as world battles COVID, people have started looking upto the importance of Microbiologist, Anaesthesiologists, Epidemiologists. Yesterday these were the same people who were said in society that when you don’t get a good rank you take these branches. Today they turned out to be our HOPE.
All branches of Medicine must be given equal respect and looked upto and I want students like us and society to believe that it’s absolutely normal for AIR 1 to take radiology or pharmacology whichever he/she seems fit.