Which college should I choose among NIT Nagpur and NIT Surathkal?

One of my friends is an alumnus of NIT Surathkal and was in awe of it since the beginning of his academic program.

• That institute is better than most in terms of campus life, placement, rank, and other essential parameters.
• It has a 90% placement rate in 2020 and ranks #13 on the NIRF ranking portal.
• Despite its excellence, my friend used to say that if you have a choice available, don’t go for NIT.
• Over the years it will come to your notice that the whole system is a scam, and although it has excellent facilities and good basics it's really overhyped.
• You'll find that any other good engineering college will have equal or better opportunities for you.
• If you can, try taking admission to a university that supports your dreams, which is the right fit for you - do not opt by just checking the placement rates. As it is untrue.

Another friend of mine was in the third year of chemical engineering in NIT Nagpur and felt as if he did not gain any technical knowledge after studying for three years. This is something overlooked by most 'excellent' universities across India and they do not allow students to question it. Therefore, if you have a better option available- go for that, not any NIT.