Section 8. Institute to be open to all races, creeds and classes.

(1) Every Institute shall be open to all persons irrespective of gender, caste, creed, disability, domicile, ethnicity, social or economic background. (2) No bequest, donation or transfer of any property shall be accepted by any Institute which in the opinion of the Council involves conditions or obligations opposed to the spirit and object of this section. (3) Admissions to every programme of study in each Institute shall be based on merit assessed through transparent and reasonable criteria disclosed through its prospectus, prior to the commencement of the process of admission by such Institute: Provided that every such Institute shall be a Central Educational Institution for the purposes of the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act, 2006 (5 of 2007).