What is Cyber Security?: Course Fees 2026, Subjects, Top Colleges, Admissions

Updated on Jul 7, 2026 12:05 IST
Bhavya Jain

Bhavya JainContent Author

Cybersecurity industry safeguards data, systems & networks from cyber threats by hackers/ malware. Career scope includes aspiring for profiles like IT security administrator, Incident response analyst, Cybersecurity manager, Information security analyst, Security Engineer, Chief information security officer, etc.

Common concepts covered are ethical hacking, network security, cryptography, incident response, compliance, etc. These programs are available at different levels - undergraduate, postgraduate, & diploma.

Besides full-fledged degree courses in cybersecurity, you can also pursue various certificates via platforms like Coursera, Udemy & IIT Roorkee. Some good Cyber Security colleges are IITs, IISc Bangalore, VIT Vellore, BITS Pilani, NIT Trichy etc. The eligibility criteria and admission process vary across the course type, level and college, to be covered in the article further.

Q:   What is Cyber Security?
A:

Cyber security basically refers to protecting systems and software from threats or damage online. It has a lot of more verticals and specialized areas. Nowadays online cyber threats are increasing. This is the reason there is increase in the demand for cyber security professionals. 

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Q:   What is the eligibility of cyber security course after 12th?
A:

The eligibility for an online cybersecurity program is mentioned below -

  • Preferably pass class 12 with science and CS background
  • Basic computer skills
  • Basics of languages like Python, Java, etc
  • Basics of networking and OS
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Q:   Why study Cyber Security Courses?
A:

One of the major reasons could be the career prospects. With so much emphasis on data and security going on these days. One needs to understand the job market need for cybersecurity professionals. The entry-level pay is decent. Remote opportunities are usually unlocked for experienced professionals who are making in Lacs per month. Ofcourse the specific profile and package largely depend on the recruiter.

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Q:   What is the scope of Computer Science courses in India and abroad?
A:

With most data stored online either on servers, database and increasing cyber-threats, the demand of cyber security is growing. With news of major breaches making headlines almost daily, cybersecurity professionals are in high demand. If you are an aspiring ethical hacker or want to make a career in the cybersecurity domain; Id strongly advise you to keep updating your knowledge and skills. Cybersecurity jobs are a part of Information Technology and the IT industry is mainly driven by the private sector in both India and abroad. 

Please note that foreign companies might need you to fulfill some extra criteria to fit the country norms. The research for the respective companies' criteria should be done beforehand.

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Table of contents
  • Cyber Security Highlights
  • How to Apply for Cyber Security Courses
  • Cyber Security Entrance Exams
  • Cyber Security Course Admission Process
  • Top Cyber Security Colleges
  • Popular Private Cyber Security Colleges in India
  • Cyber Security Syllabus
  • Cyber Security: Salary, Career Scope and Top Recruiters 2026
  • FAQs
  • Popular Cyber Security UG Courses
  • Popular Cyber Security PG Courses
  • Most Popular Courses
View More

Cyber Security Highlights

With data-driven decision-making prevailing in almost all industries. Data and system protection have become extremely important for all big and small corporations. 

Check out the key highlights of Cyber Security Courses:

Particulars Course Details

Cyber Security Course Levels

Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Diploma, Doctorate

Cyber Security Course Duration

  • UG: 3-4 years
  • PG: 2 years
  • Diploma in Cyber Security: 3 years
  • PhD: 3-6 years
  • Certification: 6 Months to 1 Year

Cyber Security Course Eligibility

  • UG: Class 12
  • PG: B.Tech/ B.Sc/BCA

Cyber Security Admission Requirements

Merit/Entrance-Based

Cyber Security Entrance Exams

JEE MAIN, MHT CET, etc.

Cyber Security Course Fees  INR 40,000 to 8 Lakh
Average Cyber Security Salary INR 1 LPA - 18 LPA
Cyber Security Career

Intrusion detection specialist, IT security administrator, Incident response analyst, Cybersecurity manager, Information security analyst, Security Engineer, Chief information security officer, etc.

Cyber Security Top Companies Wipro, Infosys, HCL Tech, Accenture, IBM, Deloitte, etc.
Online Cyber Security Courses Coursera, edX, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, and FutureLearn

Source - Multiple external/official, data may vary.

How to Apply for Cyber Security Courses

Cybersecurity is a specialization in IT field. This is one of the main reasons why cybersecurity is mainly done through degrees such as B.Tech & M.Tech. Students who wish for cybersecurity courses with more emphasis on the theoretical part will prefer going for BSc, MSc in cybersecurity.

Candidate must first select the type of degree they would be pursuing. Next thing is they need to clear various entrance exams such as:

  • National Level Entrance Exams: For UG & PG cybersecurity courses candidates may choose to apply for JEE Main, JEE Advanced, CUET & GATE, CUET PG, etc.
  • State Level Entrance Exams: Some of the popular exams to get admission into top colleges of a particular state include AP EAMCET, MHT-CET, AP PGECET, TANCET, GUJCET, MAKAUT CET, TS EAMCET, etc.
  • University Level Entrance Exams: Admission or scholarships for various cybersecurity courses can be obtained from top private universities through entrance exams like VITEEE, CUCET, UPESEAT, LPU NEST, etc.


Cyber Security Course Eligibility

Eligibility requirement varies from college to college and from course to course. Candidate can know more about cyber security course eligibility requirement by visiting the official site of the concerned university.

Parameters 

Requirements 

Qualifying Exam 

UG: Class 12th PCM with 50% aggregate

PG: Respective UG degree with 50% marks

Note: Every university has a different parameter, please check official university website for details  

Entrance Exam 

JEE, GATE, CUET, CUET PG

Any state level or private university exam 

Age Criteria 

Minimum: 17 years 

Maximum: No upper age limit

Note: Information taken from official sources may vary.

Cyber Security Entrance Exams

Many colleges offer merit-based admission. It is still crucial to know a few entrances if you wish to get into some of the top colleges offering courses in the said specialization. 

Make sure to keep your research intact when it comes to the courses and colleges you look forward to choosing. Some of the top entrances for getting into UG and PG courses in cybersecurity are 

Cyber Security Course: National Level Exams

There are multiple national level exams for UG and PG cybersecurity courses. Exams like JEE and GATE allow admissions in IITs, IIITs and NITs. Many national level exams have a different UG and PG division. Students should check once before applying.

Entrance Exams

Exam Description  

Exam Schedule

JEE Main The national-level engineering entrance exam for getting admission to top engineering colleges in India. JEE Main Exam Date
JEE Advanced The national-level engineering entrance exam that dictates whether a student qualifies for IITs. JEE Advanced Exam Date
National-level entrance organised by the NTA to enrol in UG courses in different Indian Universities. CUET Exam Date
CUET PG National-level entrance organised by the NTA to enrol in PG courses in top Indian Universities. CUET PG Exam Date
GATE National-level entrance by IISc and IITs for admissions to top colleges offering courses in engineering, technology, architecture, science, and humanities. GATE Exam Date

Source - Multiple external/ official sites, info may vary.

 

Cyber Security Course: University Level Exams

Many reputed private and government colleges conduct their own entrance exams. VIT, Vellore and Chandigargh University are a few examples.

Entrance Exams

Exam Description  

Exam Schedule

VITEEE University-specific entrance exam conducted by VIT for admission into B. Tech programmes. VITEEE Exam Date
CUCET

University-specific entrance exam for getting admission/ scholarship in different academic programs at Chandigarh University.

CUCET Exam Date
UPESEAT University-specific entrance exam in UPES primarily for admission to its B. Tech in different disciplines. UPESEAT Exam Date
LPU NEST

University-specific entrance for admissions/scholarships to Lovely Professional University in various UG and PG programs.

LPU NEST Exam Date

Source - Multiple external/ official sites, info may vary.

 

Cyber Security Course: State Level Exams

State exams give a certain edge to students. They offer quality education with lesser competition in entrance exams.

Entrance Exams

Exam Description  

Exam Schedule

AP EAMCET State-level entrance examination conducted for engineering admissions in different disciplines in colleges in Andhra Pradesh. AP EAMCET Exam Date
MHT-CET State-level entrance by the State CET Cell, Maharashtra, for admission into engineering colleges in the state. MHT-CET Exam Date
AP PGECET State-level exam for Andhra Pradesh Post Graduate Engineering courses in various disciplines, one of them being cybersecurity. AP PGECET Exam Date
TANCET  State-level entrance exam for admission to PG engineering degrees in top colleges across Tamil Nadu. TANCET Exam Date
GUJCET  State-level entrance exam for admission to UG Degree Engineering and UG Degree/ Diploma Pharmacy Courses in Gujarat State.  GUJCET Exam Date
MAKAUT CET Entrance for admission to the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology and its affiliated colleges. MAKAUT CET Exam Date
TS EAMCET State-level entrance by Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad for engineering admission across. Telangana. TS EAMCET Exam Date

Source - Multiple external/ official sites, info may vary.

Jul '26

Release of Karnataka PGCET Result

TENTATIVE

15 Jun ' 26

Release of Karnataka PGCET Provisional Answer Key

22 Aug ' 26

SAT India Exam (August) Attempt

12 Sep ' 26

SAT India Exam (September) Attempt

18 Jul ' 26 - 20 Jul ' 26

MAH MCA CET 2026 counselling - Objection against ...

22 Jul ' 26

MAH MCA CET 2026 counselling - Final merit list

17 Jul ' 26 - 20 Jul ' 26

NIMCET 2026 Round 3 Reporting & Physical Admission

21 Jul ' 26

Vacant Seat Matrix Declaration

Q:   What are the Cyber Security courses at National Forensic Sciences University?
A:

 The NFSUs are premier national institutions with a separate school for Cyber Security & Digital Forensics. Some cyber security courses offered by NFSU are given below:

  • MTech Cyber Security and Digital Forensics
  • MSc Digital Forensics and Information Security
  • MSc Cyber Security
  • PG Diploma in Web and Mobile Security
  • PG Diploma in Malware Analysis and Reverse Engineering
Q:   What are some distance courses in Cyber Security?
A:

Some popular cyber security degree courses are offered as distance course and their respective time duration are mentioned in the table given below -

Course Name

Duration

Certificate in Information Security by Simplilearn

3 months to 1 year

Certified Ethical Hacker by Udemy

3 months to 2 years

IT Security: Defense Against The Digital Dark Arts: Google

6 weeks

IBM Cybersecurity Analyst

8 months

Introduction to Cybersecurity and Risk Management

3 months

Professional Certificate in Essentials of Cybersecurity

6 months

Cybersecurity and Privacy in the IoT

5 weeks

Data source - multiple external/official sites on the web, may vary.

Cyber Security Course Admission Process

Candidates can see a detailed, step-wise Cyber Security course admission process below:

Cyber Security Course Admission Process: Government Colleges

  • Ensure clearance of Class 12th in PCM with 50% aggregate for UG degree and a UG degree in relevant field with 50% marks at the least for PG course

  • Check the application process for national level exams like CUET, JEE Mains and GATE and other state level exams.

  • Clear entrance exams

  • Get documents verified during counseling process

  • Confirm your seat after paying tuition fees

 

Cyber Security Course Admission Process: Private Colleges

  • Ensure clearance of Class 12th in PCM with 50% aggregate for UG degree and a UG degree in relevant field with 50% marks at the least for PG course

  • Check application process for the colleges you want to apply to

  • Clear entrance exams, if any

  • For PG courses some colleges accept the aggregate marks or CGPA of UG degree, check admission criteria on the official website of the college

  • Participate in counseling or interview rounds conducted by the university

  • If selected, submit documents and pay the tuition fees to get a seat

Q:   Can I switch to a cybersecurity specialisation if I get into a general Computer Science program?
A:

Yes, many colleges offer a change in major during the course. But it is subject to change only in the first semester or the first year. The other stipulation is that the change in major must be done in a similar course. In this case, switching from CS to Cyber Security works great. It is different for every college though. Students are advised to check official college guidelines.

Q:   Do I need a coding portfolio to get admitted?
A:

That depends on the level of degree a student is pursuing. For an undergraduate degree a coding portfolio is not required. A UG degree is a foundational course. It builds skills along the way. But for a PG degree a portfolio is usually necessary. It is to showcase the knowledge a student gained and their capabilities after the UG degree.

Top Cyber Security Colleges

Nothing can come close to IITs when it comes to education in India. All top 8 colleges in the NIRF 2025 ranking of Best Engineering Colleges in India belong to IITs. Immediately followed by NIT Trichy and IIT BHU.

Following is the list of Top Engineering colleges according to NIRF Rankings 2025: 

Note: Information is taken from official sources and is subject to change. 

Cyber Security: Top Private colleges

Engineering colleges like Amity University and Kristu Jayanti University are well-known and reputable because of their engineering programs.

Following is the list of Best Private Cyber Security colleges:

Note: Information is taken from official sources and is subject to change. 

See the full list of Best Private Cyber Security Colleges

 

Cyber Security: Best Affordable Private Colleges

Quality education does not always have to cost you an arm and a leg. India has numerous private colleges offering excellent academic performance along with affordability.

Following is the list of Best Affordable Private Cyber Security colleges:

Note: Information is taken from official sources and is subject to change. 

See the full list of  Best Affordable Private Cyber Security colleges

 

Cyber Security: Top Government Colleges

Government institutions in India are some of the best colleges where you can get exposure. Not only do they offer quality education but they are also very affordable.

Following is the list of Best Government Cyber Security colleges:

Note: Information is taken from official sources and is subject to change. 

See the complete list of Best Government Cyber Security colleges

4.5 L
6.5 LPA
50 K - 4.5 L
1 Course
4 L
7.5 LPA
35 K - 6.56 L
3.9

Cyber Security Applications open. Apply Now

1 Course
5.21 L
3.3
2 Courses
2.58 L
Q:   What are some popular courses in Cyber Security specialization?
A:

BSc Cyber Security is a 3-years, full-time programme offered by prestigious universities across India. It aims at making a student competent in both theoretical and functional aspects of Cyber Security. You can pursue the course after completing your Class 12 in the PCM stream and computer science.
BE/BTech Cyber Security is a 4 years, full-time programme offered by renowned universities all over India. It focuses on an extensive understanding of Cyber Crime, Network Security, Intrusion, Detection, and Prevention applications, along with the Design and Evaluation of Algorithms. 

Q:   Which are some top platforms that offer courses in Cyber Security?
A:

 Some of the top platforms that offer courses in Cyber Security are mentioned in the list below -

Source - Multiple external/official sites, data may vary.

Q:   What are some common Cyber Security Threats?
A:

Some common Cybersecurity Threats are mentioned in the table below -

 

Q:   Why should I pursue Cyber Security Course?
A:

The cybersecurity course teaches one to use advanced skills and knowledge to apply in various IT fields in cybersecurity roles to ensure their employability. The online cybersecurity program lets you to enrol in programs offered by some of the best institutions overcoming the location and time constraints. 

Popular Private Cyber Security Colleges in India

5 Courses
4 L - 12 L
4.0
1 Course
2 L
4.5 LPA
6 Courses
3.22 L - 4.12 L
1 Course
11 Courses
2.4 L - 7 L
3.9

Cyber Security Applications open. Apply Now

1 Course
1.95 L

Cyber Security Syllabus

Cyber Security courses are mainly available in 2 formats at UG and PG level. BTech and MTech degrees focus more on coding and the engineering side of the subject. A BSc/MSc degree teaches students scientific principles, threat management and the correct application of cyber security. The syllabus is different for each college and course. Sometimes, Cyber Security is also offered as a specialisation under Computer Science Courses.

The following table shows more details about Cyber Security Course Syllabus:

Course

Core Subjects

BTech in Cyber Security

Data Structures & Algorithms, Object Oriented Programming (Java/C++), Computer Networks, Operating Systems, Cryptography, Ethical Hacking

MTech in Cyber Security

Advanced Cryptography, Malware Analysis & Reverse Engineering, Cloud Security, Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Testing (VAPT), Cyber Law & Compliance, and Security Operations Center (SOC)

BSc in Cyber Security

Information Security Fundamentals, Database Management Systems, Web Application Security, Cyber Threat Hunting, Incident Response, and Risk Management

MSc in Cyber Security

Advanced Digital Forensics, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), Information Security Governance, Blockchain Security, and Secure Software Development

 

Q:   What is the difference between Cyber Security and Ethical Hacking?
A:

Ethical hacking mainly works on the offensive side and teaches about how to hack into systems legally to test vulnerabilities. Ethical hacking is best for students who already know the basics of Networking, Linux, and Coding. Ethical hacking courses are usually certification-oriented. The career scopes of Ethical Hacking include Penetration Tester, Bug Bounty Hunter, and Security Analyst.

Now, when it comes to Cyber Security, it broadly focuses on the defensive side, including concepts like firewalls, cryptography, incident response, and offensive aspects. It is best for the students who have little to no background. Cyber Security can also be pursued as a degree (BSc/ BTech) or certification. A cybersecurity Career path includes Security Engineer, SOC Analyst, Risk Manager, and Security Consultant.

If you're just starting, a Cyber Security course is the safer option because it gives you the foundation (networking, security basics, defense strategies). Once you're comfortable, you can specialize in Ethical Hacking as a subfield.

 

Q:   What is the syllabus of an Online Cyber Security Course?
A:

The syllabus for Cyber Security varies for different courses. Take a look at the generic course curriculum for online Cyber Security courses.

Online Cyber Security Course Syllabus
IntroductionSecurity Through Isolation and Compartmentalization
The Threat and Vulnerability LandscapeSecurity Domains
The Current Threat and Vulnerability LandscapeSocial Engineering and Social Media Offence and Defence
Encryption Crash CourseSecurity Bugs and Vulnerabilities
Setting up a Testing Environment Using Virtual Machines (Lab)Operating System Security & Privacy (Windows vs Mac OS X vs Linux)

Source - Multiple external/official sites, data may vary.

Cyber Security: Salary, Career Scope and Top Recruiters 2026

Often, recruiters encounter a skill gap in the cybersecurity job market. Hence there is low competition for professionals with actual skills and experience. Cybersecurity is one of the most sought-after specializations in IT. 

Salary and Job Profiles

Check out some of the top profiles in the said domain

Job Profiles Starting Salary Highest Salary
Ethical Hacker 3 LPA 50 LPA
Application Security Engineer 3.8 LPA 45 LPA
Cloud Security Engineer 6 LPA 32 LPA
Cyber Security Analyst 9 LPA

21 LPA

Penetration Tester

5 LPA 20 LPA
SOC Engineer 3 LPA 25 LPA
Cyber Security Consultant 3 LPA 50 LPA
Cyber Security Engineer 10 LPA 30 LPA
Cyber Security Architect

12 LPA for professionals with over 3-4 yrs of experience. (The profile is generally a senior-level position)

80 LPA

Source of salary data - Ambitionbox.com

Top Recruiters in Cyber Security

Top Recruiters in Cyber Security domain in India

Top Recruiters in Cyber Security

Apple

Federal Reserve Bank of New York

Patient First

Lockheed Martin

General Motors Capital One
Cisco Northrop Grumman
Intel Boeing

Source - Multiple external/official sites, data may vary.

Q:   How Does Cyber Security Work?
A:

Cybersecurity works by the integration of different processes mentioned below -

  • Firewalls - Security systems that look after incoming and outgoing network traffic.
  • Encryption - Transforms readable data into an unreadable format for unauthorized elements.
  • Access Control - Implement strong password and authentication systems.
  • Security Information - Provides alerts by system with regard to security.
  • Backup - Regularly backing up data and having recovery options.

These are just the major concepts. Cybersecurity is a lot more vast than these operations.

Q:   What is the average salary of a cyber security professional?
A:

Experience, skills, specializations, company and Industry affect the salary of a cybersecurity professional. The average salary of a cybersecurity professional based on work experience is mentioned below -

0 to 2 years - INR 3.5 - 6 LPA

3 to 7 years -  INR 8 - 20 LPA

8 or more years -  INR 25 LPA and above

Source - Multiple external/official sites, data may vary.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about Cybersecurity courses:-

Q:   What are best colleges for BSc Cyber Security Courses?
A:

Some of the most popular colleges for BSc Cyber Security Courses in India are mentioned in the table given below -

CollegesBSc Cyber Security Fees
MIT INR 2.58 LPA
Parul UniversityINR 4.02 LPA
Dr. DY PatilINR 2.79 LPA
LPUINR 7.2 LPA

Source - Multiple external/official sites on the web data may vary.

Q:   Which are the top BTech Cyber Security colleges in India?
A:

Some of the popular colleges offering B.Tech in Cyber Security in India are mentioned in the table below -

CollegesFees structure
Galgotias UniversityINR 6.16 LPA
Chandigarh UniversityINR 6.44 LPA
Chandigarh UniversityINR 13.56 LPA

Source - Multiple external/official sites on the web, data may vary.

Popular Cyber Security UG Courses

Following are the most popular Cyber Security UG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these UG Courses by clicking the links below.

UG Courses

Popular Cyber Security PG Courses

Following are the most popular Cyber Security PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.

PG Courses

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Student Forum

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Answered a week ago

If you have PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) without Mathematics, your options for B.Tech Cybersecurity are very limited because most universities require Mathematics in Class 12 for B.Tech CSE/Cybersecurity. 

However, a few universities have started allowing PCB students under the flexibility provi

...Read more

108438900
Abhishek Jaiswal

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 3 weeks ago

Yes, GBS is a great option for Indian students seeking practical, career-focused, IT education in Dubai. The institute's 2-year HND Diploma in Digital Technologies offers a recognised pathway to enter the tech industry quickly.

HND Diploma grads of GBS Dubai work as:

  • Cyber Security Specialist
  • Data Anal

...Read more

A

Akash Gaur

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

You can consider universities in Singapore, like

  • National University of Singapore
  • Singapore Institute of Technology
  • PSB Academy

for a BCA or Cyber Security-related bachelor's degree. These colleges offer quality education, industry exposure, and good career opportunities in cybersecurity.

V

Vipra Panda

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 2 months ago

If you want a university with good cybersecurity exposure, strong placements, industry tie-ups, and better overall brand value, then both Lovely Professional University and Chandigarh University are good options — but for Cybersecurity, Chandigarh University (CU) has a slight edge overall, while LPU

...Read more

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Absolutely, after passing Class 12, you can choose among BCA, BSc, and B.Tech programmes with the cyber security specialisation. Bangalore has more than 40 colleges offering UG degrees on the same. The eligibility for them are below. 

...Read more

S

Syed Aquib Ur Rahman

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Around 60+ colleges in Bangalore have professional cyber security courses at UG and PG levels. BCA in cyber security are more in number, with Kristu Jayanti taking the top spot in India Today rankings. You can also find BSc and B.Tech programmes in Cybersecurity from good Bangalore colleges. 

BCA Colleges for Cyber Security in Bangalore 

Tuition Fee

Kristu Jayanti BCA in Cybersecurity

INR 4.5 Lakh

Kristu6 School of Information Science BCA 

INR 4.8 Lakh

T John College BCA in Cybersecurity and Ethical Hacking

INR 4.2 Lakh

REVA University BSc in Computer Science (Cyber Security)

N/A

T0 Institutions BSc in Forensic Science and Cyber Security

INR 4.12 Lakh

Alliance University B.Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering (Cyber Security)

INR 18 Lakh

GITAM B.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering (Cyber Security)

INR 14 Lakh

Note: A

...Read more

S

Syed Aquib Ur Rahman

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

So, the good low-fee colleges in Coimbatore for a BBA in Logistics would be Rathinam College and JCT College. Their tuition fee range is ~INR 1.8 Lakh. 

These two colleges are affiliated with the state-pu

...Read more

S

Syed Aquib Ur Rahman

Contributor-Level 10

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