/* ===== Brand Tokens ===== */
    :root {
      --navy: #181644;
      --navy-light: #2a2868;
      --navy-dark: #0f0e2e;
      --red: #cb2d3e;
      --red-light: #d4515f;
      --orange: #f26a42;
      --gold: #d4a843;
      --cream: #e2e5e7;
      --blue-tint: #eceef1;
      --slate: #2b3d4f;
      --border-color: #d6dade;
      --muted-fg: #556270;
      --fg: #1f2937;
      --bg: #f0f1f3;
      --card-bg: #ffffff;
    }

    /* ===== Base ===== */
    * { box-sizing: border-box; }
    html { scroll-behavior: smooth; }
    body {
      font-family: 'Proxima Nova', system-ui, -apple-system, sans-serif;
      color: var(--fg);
      background: var(--bg);
      margin: 0;
    }
    h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6 {
      font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif;
      font-weight: 700;
    }
    a { text-decoration: none; }
    img { max-width: 100%; height: auto; }

    /* ===== Utility Classes ===== */
    .uis-container { max-width: 1280px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 0 1rem; }
    @media (min-width: 640px) { .uis-container { padding: 0 1.5rem; } }
    @media (min-width: 1024px) { .uis-container { padding: 0 2rem; } }

    .uis-section { padding: 4rem 1rem; }
    @media (min-width: 768px) { .uis-section { padding: 5rem 1rem; } }

    .uis-heading {
      font-size: 1.75rem; font-weight: 700; color: var(--navy);
    }
    @media (min-width: 768px) { .uis-heading { font-size: 2.25rem; } }

    .uis-subheading {
      font-size: 1rem; color: var(--muted-fg); margin-top: 0.75rem; max-width: 48rem;
      font-weight: 500;
    }
    @media (min-width: 640px) { .uis-subheading { font-size: 1.125rem; } }

    .uis-card {
      background: var(--card-bg); border-radius: 0.75rem; box-shadow: 0 4px 6px rgba(0,0,0,0.07);
      border: 1px solid var(--border-color); padding: 1.5rem; transition: box-shadow 0.3s;
    }
    .uis-card:hover { box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0,0,0,0.1); }

    .uis-badge {
      display: inline-flex; align-items: center; padding: 0.5rem 1rem;
      border-radius: 9999px; font-size: 0.75rem; font-weight: 600;
    }

    .bg-navy-gradient {
      background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--navy-dark), var(--navy));
    }
    .bg-red-gradient {
      background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--red), var(--orange));
    }
    .bg-cream { background-color: var(--cream); }
    .bg-blue-tint { background-color: var(--blue-tint); }
    .text-navy { color: var(--navy); }
    .text-red { color: var(--red); }
    .text-muted-fg { color: var(--muted-fg); }
    .text-gold { color: var(--gold); }

    /* ===== 1. Sticky Header ===== */
    .uis-header {
      position: fixed; top: 0; left: 0; right: 0; z-index: 1000;
      background: var(--card-bg); box-shadow: 0 2px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.06);
      transition: box-shadow 0.3s;
    }
    .uis-header.scrolled { box-shadow: 0 4px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.12); }
    .header-pill {
      display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 0.5rem;
      background: var(--navy); color: #fff; border-radius: 9999px;
      padding: 0.5rem 1rem; font-size: 0.8rem; font-weight: 500;
      transition: opacity 0.2s;
    }
    .header-pill:hover { opacity: 0.9; color: #fff; }
    .header-pill i { font-size: 0.85rem; }
    @media (max-width: 575px) {
      .header-pill span { display: none; }
      .header-pill { padding: 0.5rem 0.75rem; }
    }

    /* ===== 2. Hero Section ===== */
    .hero-section {
      position: relative; min-height: 100vh; padding-top: 5rem; overflow: hidden;
    }
    .hero-bg {
      position: absolute; inset: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;
      object-fit: cover; object-position: top;
    }
    .hero-overlay {
      position: absolute; inset: 0;
      background: rgba(24, 22, 68, 0.78);
    }
    .hero-solid-bg {
      position: absolute; inset: 0; background: var(--navy);
    }
    @media (min-width: 576px) { .hero-solid-bg { display: none; } }
    @media (max-width: 575px) { .hero-bg, .hero-overlay { display: none; } }
    .hero-content {
      position: relative; z-index: 10; color: #fff;
      min-height: calc(100vh - 5rem);
      display: flex; align-items: flex-start;
      padding-top: 1.5rem; padding-bottom: 1.5rem;
    }
    @media (min-width: 576px) {
      .hero-content { align-items: center; padding-top: 2rem; padding-bottom: 2rem; }
    }
    @media (min-width: 1024px) {
      .hero-content { padding-top: 5rem; padding-bottom: 5rem; }
    }
    .hero-award-badge {
      display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 0.5rem;
      background: rgba(203, 45, 62, 0.9); color: #fff;
      padding: 0.5rem 1rem; border-radius: 9999px;
      font-size: 0.65rem; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0.5rem;
    }
    @media (min-width: 640px) {
      .hero-award-badge { font-size: 0.75rem; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; }
    }
    .hero-title {
      font-size: 1.125rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.5rem;
    }
    @media (min-width: 576px) { .hero-title { font-size: 1.5rem; } }
    @media (min-width: 768px) { .hero-title { font-size: 2.25rem; } }
    @media (min-width: 1024px) { .hero-title { font-size: 3rem; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; } }
    .hero-desc {
      font-size: 0.75rem; color: rgba(255,255,255,0.9); max-width: 36rem;
      line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 0.75rem;
    }
    @media (min-width: 576px) { .hero-desc { font-size: 0.875rem; } }
    @media (min-width: 768px) { .hero-desc { font-size: 1.125rem; margin-bottom: 2rem; } }
    .hero-tags .badge-tag {
      display: inline-block; background: rgba(255,255,255,0.15);
      backdrop-filter: blur(4px); padding: 0.5rem 1rem; border-radius: 9999px;
      font-size: 0.75rem; font-weight: 600; color: rgba(255,255,255,0.8); margin-right: 0.5rem;
    }
    @media (max-width: 575px) { .hero-tags { display: none; } }
    #meritto-form {
      min-height: 500px; border-radius: 0.75rem;
      background: rgba(255,255,255,0.1); backdrop-filter: blur(4px);
    }
    @media (min-width: 576px) { #meritto-form { min-height: 580px; } }

    /* ===== 3. Trust Banner ===== */
    .trust-banner { padding: 1.5rem 0; }
    .trust-item { display: flex; align-items: flex-start; gap: 0.75rem; color: rgba(255,255,255,0.9); }
    .trust-item i { color: var(--red); margin-top: 0.15rem; flex-shrink: 0; }
    .trust-item p { font-size: 0.875rem; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0; }

    /* ===== 4. Results Strip ===== */
    .results-card {
      background: var(--card-bg); border-radius: 1rem; box-shadow: 0 4px 15px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);
      border: 1px solid var(--border-color); padding: 1.5rem;
    }
    @media (min-width: 576px) { .results-card { padding: 2rem; } }
    @media (min-width: 768px) { .results-card { padding: 3rem; } }

    /* ===== 5. Stats ===== */
    .stat-card {
      text-align: center; border-top: 4px solid var(--navy);
    }
    .stat-card .stat-value {
      font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif; font-size: 1.5rem;
      font-weight: 700; color: var(--navy); margin-bottom: 0.5rem;
    }
    @media (min-width: 768px) { .stat-card .stat-value { font-size: 1.875rem; } }
    .stat-card .stat-label { font-size: 0.875rem; color: var(--muted-fg); }

    /* ===== 6. Why Choose UIS ===== */
    .why-card {
      background: rgba(255,255,255,0.1); border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.2);
      border-radius: 1rem; padding: 1.5rem; transition: background 0.3s;
    }
    .why-card:hover { background: rgba(255,255,255,0.2); }
    .why-card .icon-box {
      width: 3rem; height: 3rem; border-radius: 0.75rem;
      background: rgba(255,255,255,0.2); display: flex;
      align-items: center; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 1rem;
    }
    .why-card .icon-box i { font-size: 1.25rem; color: #fff; }
    .why-card h3 { color: #fff; font-size: 1.125rem; font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; }
    .why-card p { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.8); font-size: 0.875rem; line-height: 1.6; }

    /* ===== 7. Campus ===== */
    .campus-img {
      width: 100%; border-radius: 1rem; box-shadow: 0 4px 15px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);
      object-fit: cover;
    }
    .inst-card {
      padding: 1rem; border-radius: 0.75rem; border: 1px solid var(--border-color);
      background: rgba(0,0,0,0.02); display: flex; gap: 1rem; align-items: flex-start;
      transition: border-color 0.3s;
    }
    .inst-card:hover { border-color: rgba(24,22,68,0.3); }
    .inst-card img { width: 3rem; height: 3rem; border-radius: 0.5rem; object-fit: contain; flex-shrink: 0; }
    .inst-card h4 { font-size: 0.875rem; font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 0.25rem; }
    .inst-card p { font-size: 0.75rem; color: var(--muted-fg); margin: 0; }

    /* ===== 8. Testimonials ===== */
    .testimonial-card {
      background: var(--fg); border-radius: 1rem; padding: 2rem; color: #fff; position: relative; overflow: hidden;
    }
    .testimonial-card .quote-icon {
      position: absolute; top: 1rem; right: 1rem;
      font-size: 3rem; color: rgba(255,255,255,0.08);
    }
    .testimonial-avatar {
      width: 2.75rem; height: 2.75rem; border-radius: 50%;
      background: var(--navy); display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center;
      font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif; font-weight: 700; font-size: 1.125rem; color: #fff; flex-shrink: 0;
    }
    .testimonial-stars i { color: var(--gold); font-size: 0.875rem; }
    .testimonial-card blockquote {
      color: rgba(255,255,255,0.85); font-size: 0.875rem; line-height: 1.7;
      border: none; padding: 0; margin: 0;
    }
    .carousel-control-prev, .carousel-control-next {
      width: 2.5rem; height: 2.5rem; background: var(--card-bg);
      border-radius: 50%; box-shadow: 0 2px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.12);
      top: 50%; transform: translateY(-50%); opacity: 1;
    }
    .carousel-control-prev { left: -0.5rem; }
    .carousel-control-next { right: -0.5rem; }
    @media (min-width: 576px) {
      .carousel-control-prev { left: -1.25rem; }
      .carousel-control-next { right: -1.25rem; }
    }
    .carousel-control-prev-icon, .carousel-control-next-icon {
      width: 1rem; height: 1rem;
      filter: invert(1) grayscale(100) brightness(0);
    }
    .carousel-indicators li {
      width: 0.625rem; height: 0.625rem; border-radius: 50%;
      background-color: rgba(31,41,55,0.2);
    }
    .carousel-indicators .active { background-color: var(--navy); }

    /* ===== 9. Nurturing Journey ===== */
    .stage-card {
      border-left: 4px solid var(--red); transition: border-color 0.3s;
    }
    .stage-card:hover { border-left-color: var(--navy); }
    .stage-card h3 { color: var(--red); font-size: 1.125rem; font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 0.75rem; }
    .stage-card p { color: var(--muted-fg); font-size: 0.875rem; line-height: 1.6; }

    /* ===== 10. ISC Streams ===== */
    .stream-card { text-align: center; }
    .stream-icon {
      width: 3.5rem; height: 3.5rem; border-radius: 50%;
      display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center;
      margin: 0 auto 1rem;
    }
    .stream-icon.navy { background: rgba(24,22,68,0.1); color: var(--navy); }
    .stream-icon.red { background: rgba(203,45,62,0.1); color: var(--red); }
    .stream-card h3 { font-size: 1.25rem; font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 1rem; }

    /* ===== 11. Activities ===== */
    .activity-pill {
      background: var(--card-bg); border-radius: 0.75rem;
      padding: 0.75rem 1rem; font-size: 0.875rem; font-weight: 600;
      text-align: center; border: 1px solid var(--border-color);
      box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,0.04); transition: all 0.3s;
    }
    .activity-pill:hover { border-color: var(--navy); box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.08); }

    /* ===== 12. Admission Process ===== */
    .step-card { border-radius: 0.75rem; box-shadow: 0 4px 15px rgba(0,0,0,0.08); overflow: hidden; }
    .step-num {
      background: var(--fg); padding: 1.25rem; text-align: center;
    }
    .step-num span {
      font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif; font-size: 2.5rem;
      font-weight: 900; color: rgba(255,255,255,0.8);
    }
    .step-body {
      background: var(--red); padding: 1.5rem 1rem; text-align: center;
      position: relative; min-height: 120px;
      display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; justify-content: center;
    }
    .step-body .arrow {
      position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; right: 0; height: 1rem; overflow: hidden;
    }
    .step-body .arrow::after {
      content: ''; display: block; width: 100%; height: 2rem;
      background: var(--fg); clip-path: polygon(0 0, 100% 0, 50% 100%);
    }
    .step-body i { font-size: 1.5rem; color: #fff; margin-bottom: 0.75rem; margin-top: 0.5rem; }
    .step-body p { font-size: 0.8rem; font-weight: 600; color: #fff; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0; }
    .step-divider { width: 2rem; border-top: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.3); margin: 0.5rem auto 0.75rem; }

    .instructions-box {
      background: rgba(24,22,68,0.05); border-radius: 0.75rem;
      padding: 1.5rem; border: 1px solid rgba(24,22,68,0.1);
    }
    .instructions-box h3 { font-size: 1.125rem; font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 1rem; }
    .inst-line { display: flex; gap: 0.75rem; margin-bottom: 1rem; }
    .inst-line .tri {
      width: 0; height: 0; margin-top: 0.35rem; flex-shrink: 0;
      border-top: 5px solid transparent; border-bottom: 5px solid transparent;
      border-left: 7px solid var(--red);
    }
    .inst-line p { font-size: 0.875rem; color: var(--muted-fg); line-height: 1.6; margin: 0; }
    .inst-line .sub-tri {
      width: 0; height: 0; margin-top: 0.35rem; flex-shrink: 0;
      border-top: 4px solid transparent; border-bottom: 4px solid transparent;
      border-left: 6px solid var(--red);
    }

    /* ===== 13. Comparison Table ===== */
    .comparison-table th { padding: 1.25rem; font-size: 0.875rem; font-weight: 700; }
    .comparison-table td { padding: 1.25rem; font-size: 0.875rem; line-height: 1.5; }
    .comparison-table .uis-col { color: var(--navy); background: rgba(24,22,68,0.04); }
    .comparison-table .other-col { color: var(--red); }

    /* ===== 14. Philosophy ===== */
    .philosophy-section { background: var(--fg); color: #fff; }
    .value-card {
      padding: 1.5rem; border-radius: 0.75rem;
      border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.1);
      background: rgba(255,255,255,0.05); transition: background 0.3s;
    }
    .value-card:hover { background: rgba(255,255,255,0.1); }
    .value-card .letter {
      font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif; font-size: 1.875rem;
      font-weight: 900; color: var(--red); line-height: 1;
    }
    .value-card h3 { font-size: 1.125rem; font-weight: 700; }
    .value-card p { font-size: 0.875rem; color: rgba(255,255,255,0.7); line-height: 1.6; }

    /* ===== 15. Quick Facts ===== */
    .fact-pill {
      display: inline-block; padding: 0.5rem 1rem; border-radius: 9999px;
      font-size: 0.75rem; font-weight: 600; margin: 0.25rem;
      background: rgba(255,255,255,0.2); color: #fff; backdrop-filter: blur(4px);
    }

    /* ===== 16. FAQ ===== */
    .faq-section .card { border-radius: 0.75rem; border: 1px solid var(--border-color); margin-bottom: 0.75rem; }
    .faq-section .card-header {
      background: var(--card-bg); border-bottom: none; padding: 0;
    }
    .faq-section .card-header button {
      display: block; width: 100%; text-align: left;
      font-weight: 600; font-size: 0.875rem; color: var(--fg);
      padding: 1.25rem 1.5rem; border: none; background: none;
      cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.2s;
    }
    .faq-section .card-header button:hover { color: var(--navy); }
    .faq-section .card-body {
      padding: 0 1.5rem 1.25rem;
      font-size: 0.875rem; color: var(--muted-fg); line-height: 1.7;
    }

    /* ===== 17. CTA ===== */
    .cta-section { text-align: center; }
    .cta-section h2 { color: #fff; }
    .cta-section p { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.8); }
    .cta-section .sub { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.6); font-size: 0.875rem; }

    /* ===== 18. Need Help ===== */
    .help-card { text-align: center; }
    .help-card i { font-size: 2rem; color: var(--navy); margin-bottom: 0.75rem; }
    .help-card p { font-size: 0.875rem; color: var(--muted-fg); margin: 0; }

    /* ===== 19. Footer ===== */
    .uis-footer { color: #fff; padding: 3rem 1rem; }
    .uis-footer h4 { font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 1rem; }
    .uis-footer .text-muted-light { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.7); font-size: 0.875rem; }
    .uis-footer .text-muted-lighter { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.5); font-size: 0.75rem; }
    .uis-footer .footer-divider {
      border-top: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.1);
      margin-top: 2.5rem; padding-top: 1.5rem; text-align: center;
    }
    .group-inst { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 0.5rem; margin-bottom: 0.75rem; }
    .group-inst img { height: 1.5rem; width: auto; }
    .social-links span { margin-right: 1rem; color: rgba(255,255,255,0.6); font-size: 0.875rem; }

    /* ===== Mobile comparison cards ===== */
    .comparison-mobile-card h3 { font-size: 0.875rem; font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 0.75rem; }
    .comparison-mobile-card .check { color: var(--navy); }
    .comparison-mobile-card .cross { color: var(--red); }
/* ===== Equal-Height Cards ===== */
.row.equal-height { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; }
.row.equal-height > [class*="col-"] { display: flex; }
.row.equal-height .uis-card,
.row.equal-height .why-card,
.row.equal-height .value-card,
.row.equal-height .help-card,
.row.equal-height .step-card,
.row.equal-height .stream-card,
.row.equal-height .stage-card,
.row.equal-height .comparison-mobile-card,
.row.equal-height .inst-card {
  width: 100%;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
}
.help-card {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
}