Which is better, NIT Patna CSE or NIT Calicut civil?

This will entirely depend on your interest as you are comparing two different colleges and two different branches. If you are interested in one particular branch, don’t decide between the two colleges as they are both NITs.

You should first see where your interest lies and choose an option accordingly. If you are not sure, I will suggest you take CS in NIT Patna which is the better option. Here are the recent placement highlights for NIT Patna. 

Regarding civil engineering, let me tell you that even if you land up at an NIT, you will have to prepare for GATE or ESE exams since the placement scenario is not that great.

With civil engineering, you will have to do a lot of hard work but with CSE, you will be able to enjoy college life and get good placements at the end of your degree unlike civil. 

In the end, it boils down to your interests and what you are looking for.