If you qualify for a government-conducted entrance exam (like JEE, NEET, CUET, etc.) and secure admission to a central or state government college, your tuition may be highly subsidized or even free in some categories like SC/ST/OBC/EWS. Some institutions offer full tuition fee waivers based on rank, income, or reservation category. Private colleges, however, usually charge fees even if you clear the entrance. Additionally, several scholarship schemes like NSP, state merit scholarships, and PM YASASVI can help cover your fees. So yes, under certain conditions, education can be free or affordable after passing the exam.