/* ---- How it works ---- */
.steps-section { background: var(--bg-white); }
.steps-grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
  gap: var(--space-xl);
  margin-top: var(--space-xl);
}
.step-card {
  text-align: center;
  padding: var(--space-xl) var(--space-lg);
}
.step-num {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  width: 48px;
  height: 48px;
  border-radius: 50%;
  background: linear-gradient(135deg, #1e3a5f, #264d7a);
  color: white;
  font-family: var(--font-heading);
  font-size: 1.125rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  margin-bottom: 16px;
}
.step-card h3 {
  font-size: 1.0625rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  color: var(--text-dark);
  margin-bottom: 8px;
}
.step-card p {
  font-size: 0.9rem;
  color: var(--text-muted);
  line-height: 1.6;
}

/* ---- College grid ---- */
.college-grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fill, minmax(300px, 1fr));
  gap: var(--space-lg);
  margin-top: var(--space-xl);
}
.college-link-card {
  display: block;
  text-decoration: none;
  background: var(--bg-white);
  border: 1px solid var(--border-light);
  border-radius: var(--radius-lg);
  padding: var(--space-lg) var(--space-xl);
  transition: transform 0.2s, box-shadow 0.2s;
}
.college-link-card:hover {
  transform: translateY(-3px);
  box-shadow: 0 8px 24px rgba(30,58,95,0.1);
}
.college-link-card h3 {
  font-size: 1rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  color: var(--text-dark);
  margin-bottom: 4px;
}
.college-link-card .college-meta {
  font-size: 0.8125rem;
  color: var(--text-muted);
  margin-bottom: 10px;
}
.college-link-card .college-tags {
  display: flex;
  gap: 6px;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
}
.college-link-card .college-tag {
  font-size: 0.6875rem;
  font-weight: 600;
  padding: 3px 10px;
  border-radius: var(--radius-full);
  background: rgba(30,58,95,0.06);
  color: var(--primary);
}
.college-link-card .college-tag.naac {
  background: rgba(46,196,182,0.1);
  color: #1a8a7e;
}
.college-link-card .arrow-hint {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 4px;
  margin-top: 14px;
  font-size: 0.8125rem;
  font-weight: 600;
  color: var(--primary);
  opacity: 0;
  transform: translateX(-4px);
  transition: opacity 0.2s, transform 0.2s;
}
.college-link-card:hover .arrow-hint {
  opacity: 1;
  transform: translateX(0);
}

/* ---- Exams strip ---- */
.exams-strip {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: center;
  gap: var(--space-lg);
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  margin-top: var(--space-xl);
}
.exam-pill {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 10px;
  padding: 12px 24px;
  background: var(--bg-white);
  border: 1px solid var(--border-light);
  border-radius: var(--radius-full);
  font-size: 0.9375rem;
  font-weight: 600;
  color: var(--text-dark);
  transition: transform 0.2s, box-shadow 0.2s;
}
.exam-pill:hover {
  transform: translateY(-2px);
  box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(30,58,95,0.08);
}
.exam-pill .pill-dot {
  width: 10px;
  height: 10px;
  border-radius: 50%;
  flex-shrink: 0;
}
.exam-pill .pill-dot.comedk { background: #e8614d; }
.exam-pill .pill-dot.jee { background: #4a90d9; }
.exam-pill .pill-dot.neet { background: #2ec4b6; }
.exam-pill .pill-dot.srm { background: #1e3a5f; }
.exam-pill .pill-dot.vit { background: #8b5cf6; }

@media (max-width: 768px) {
  .steps-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: var(--space-md); }
  .college-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
  .exams-strip { gap: var(--space-sm); }
  .exam-pill { padding: 10px 18px; font-size: 0.8125rem; }
}