Choosing a branch over a college and vice versa is a big dilemma for many engineering aspirants. I personally feel one should give preference to branch over college because the college stays with you just for 4 years but the branch determines your career. NIT Surathkal CSE is a highly regarded program and recently its infrastructure has been improved to meet industry needs. Here are some core reasons to prefer it over IIT Bombay Metallurgy.

• NIT Surathkal CSE placements are great with almost 100% placements and an average CTC of around INR 29.47 LPA. 
• The seniors are approachable and friendly so you can look upon them and seek assistance in all matters.
• The infrastructure has been improved with the construction of a new digital library and another indoor play.
• NIT Surathkal however does not have an active nightlife. This might both work in favor or against you.
• There are restrictions on in-timing for first-year students. 

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide if you want to prioritize the branch or the college.

If you are given these options, your rank in JEE Mains must be near 10k, and that in KCET >= 100. I was faced with similar choices, so I am listing down the pros and cons of each option-

• RVC- If you are a Bangalorean and don’t wish to go to a hostel, RVC is the ideal choice. You’ll be getting CSE, which is great. The faculty at RVC is good. It offers an indoor basketball court. Your peers would’ve aced their KCET. But the minus point is that there is a management quota.

• IIIT Bangalore-T his is a great choice for you even if you are interested in CSE. The curriculum for ECE and CSE is mostly common for the first two years. Both branches study common topics like programming and computer architecture. Even a branch change is possible by getting on the Dean’s Merit List. Branch change is purely merit based.

• NIT Surathkal- EEE from NITK is a great option. However, if you are interested in CS/IT, getting a branch change isn’t easy. Vacancy is low during branch change and its rules are quite rigid-

1. The current branch’s strength must not decrease by more than 10%.
2. The future branch’s strength must not increase by more than 10%.
3. Category-wise allotment of seats is done, similar to JoSAA

If you are planning for an M.Tech in near future, choose IIITB. The iMtech will allow you to complete two degrees in five years, and you won’t be stressed over GATE exams. IIIT Bangalore offers the best placements. This is because Bangalore is the center of major IT and Electronics brands. 

I chose iMtech at IIIT Bangalore because of these reasons. You must choose the option that best suits your personal preferences. All the three institutions are well renowned.

If you are looking for a private job, then you should consider Civil Engineering at NIT Surathkal. Here are some reasons why:

• NIT Surathkal has a great reputation for producing graduates who get placed in top software multinationals or investment banks at lucrative packages.
• The insider knowledge of the college along with the feedback from many students at NIT Surathkal, assures that the college has a lot to offer in terms of quality education and training.

However, if you want to go for a government job, then you should go with Civil Engineering at MNNIT Allahabad. Here are some reasons why:

• MNNIT Allahabad has exceptional faculties and offers a competitive environment that is unmatched by any other college.
• Civil Engineering from MNNIT Allahabad has a great track record of producing GATE toppers, with students securing ranks 1, 2, 4, 6, and 9 when I entered the college.
• With the devotion and resources MNNIT has to offer, most Mechanical and Civil aspirants here can crack GATE or ESE with ease.

It is difficult to shift to a location that is far away from home. As a North Indian who was faced with a similar situation, I can completely understand your hesitation in choosing NITK.

Talking about this branch, the placements of Civil are comparatively low, irrespective of your college. Even in the IITs, a number of Civil students remain unplaced. But overall, the placements for Civil are slightly better at NIT Surathkal. NITK also has better infrastructure and a private beach.

But if you plan to prepare for UPSC or GATE, like most Civil students, MNNIT is an ideal choice. MNNIT students secure top ranks in these exams. The environment of MNNIT is ideal for the preparation of competitive exams. I am not aware of the environment provided at NITK for competitive exam preparation. 

Both MNNIT and NIT Surathkal are renowned colleges. Both are good choices. You should choose between them based on personal preference. I would also recommend you approach some seniors from NITK to learn about the lifestyle and eating habits over there. Try to find out if the place will suit you or not.

If you're trying to decide between NIT Suratkal and IIT(BHU) Varanasi, here are some points to consider:

• First, think about your interests. If you're interested in coding and tech, NIT Suratkal may be the better option for you.
• However, if the branch isn't a major factor in your decision, you may want to consider IIT(BHU) Varanasi. The IIT brand and alumni network are both very strong, and the Metallurgy Department at IIT(BHU) is one of the best and oldest in India.
• That being said, if job placements are a top priority for you, it's worth noting that Metallurgy may not be the best choice in terms of placement opportunities. Only a few core companies come to IIT(BHU) Varanasi to recruit metallurgy students, and the packages they offer are often below average. Other students end up being placed in non-core sectors, like consulting and analytics.
• On the other hand, while NIT Suratkal IT may not offer the best placement packages either, you'll likely have more opportunities in the field of IT, which you'll have studied in college.
• Another advantage of IIT(BHU) Varanasi is the potential for higher studies opportunities. You'll have plenty of time to prepare for exams like CAT, GRE, GMAT, and even IAS if you're interested.
• Finally, if you're willing to put in the work during your first semester at IIT(BHU) Varanasi, you can start off in Metallurgy and then switch to a different branch with better opportunities later on.

Consider your interests and priorities when making your decision. If coding and tech excite you, go for NIT Suratkal. But if you're looking for a strong alumni network and potential for higher studies opportunities, IIT(BHU) Varanasi may be the better choice.