A Gap certificate is a very important document required for those students who have taken a short-term or long-term break from their study period and are willing to continue their studies in the same or different institution. A Gap certificate for college admission, NEET, 12th, Graduation and Scholarship can be obtained online or by contacting a lawyer or visiting the district court, where they provide a non-judicial stamp paper stating the reason for the student’s gap.
In this post, we will explain everything about the Gap certificate, format and help you with the procedures and required documents so that you can apply for one for yourself.
What is a Gap Certificate?
A Gap certificate/ gap affidavit/ gap year certificate is a legal certificate that can be used as an evidence or proof that states genuine reasons why a student has taken a gap from his/her studies for a particular duration.
The reason for the gap may vary from person to person. Still, the most common reasons like medical/health-related issues, financial crisis, and preparing for any entrance exam are all acceptable.
The certificate also assures that the student was not involved in any illegal activities, and no criminal case was registered in their name during the gap period.
Usually, the gap year certificate is coupled with a provisional certificate for those students who wish to pursue their education abroad. The documents provided must be real and verified to avoid cancellation of admission into a newer institution or readmission into the same university.
Details Mentioned on a Gap Certificate
A gap certificate lists the complete details of a student like a name, education and institute name. The certificate also states the reason for the student’s interruption in studies and whether or not they are eligible to return to the institution and continue their studies.
List of details mentioned on a Gap certificate:
- Student (Candidate) name
- Student age
- Residential address
- Most recent educational qualification
- College/Institute name (from where he/she has received education)
- Gap duration date (date from which candidate has taken a gap)
- Reason for taking the gap
- Name of the college/university (where the candidate wants to take admission)
- Application date (date on which Gap affidavit is prepared)
- Student/candidate signature
- Advocate/relevant authority signature
Documents Required for a GAP Certificate
A list of essential documents that serve as official proof must be submitted in order to apply for an authorized gap certificate. Along with the certificate application form, a copy of these documents should also be submitted.
The following are a few of the important documents which are required for applying a gap affidavit:
- ID proof (Passport/ Aadhar card/Driver’s license)
- 10th/12th mark sheet or the mark sheet of a recent qualifying exam
- Recent passport size photograph of the candidate
- Residential Address proof
- Transfer certificate
- Course completion certificate
- A letter from the last educational institution
- Genuine reason for the gap
Gap Affidavit Certificate – Reasons for Applying
As mentioned earlier, there can be a number of reasons why a student has taken a gap year or is planning to take a gap year; however, there should be a strong and valid reason in order to justify the leave and to prove that he/she was not involved in any other illegal activities other than the reason mentioned in the certificate.
The most common reasons for taking a gap year may include:
- Personal reasons
- Family issues
- Financial crisis
- Medical conditions/ health issues
- Preparing for an entrance exam
- Planning to pursue education abroad
- Starting a business
Gap Year Certificate Uses
As discussed earlier, a gap certificate is for those students who have taken a gap in between their study duration. Therefore, a certificate stating the reason for their leave is important when taking admission for further studies. It also serves as a proof that the reason behind the leave was due to unavoidable circumstances, and the intention was not to involve in any illegal activities.
There are many uses of getting a gap certificate. Some of them include:
- It can be used for getting a job after a long gap
- It can be used to get admission abroad
- Can act as a proof of the reason behind the gap
- It clarifies why you missed out on education
- It helps in filling in the gaps between the academic journey
- Can be used to continue education in the same/different institution
- It lets the student take a break from educational stress without any concern
Gap Certificate Format
Usually, universities and institutions have a performed format of the gap certificate, which is to be filled by the students themselves. However, the students can get the non-judiciary stamp paper typed and sealed by contacting any lawyer or visiting the district court. The student might need to provide the required documents and mention the reason for their gap and will be asked to pay a certain amount as the service charge by the lawyer.
Gap Certificate for College Admission
It is required for those students who have taken a year gap after class 12th or after completing the bachelor’s degree. The most common reason is preparation for competitive exams or planning to continue education abroad.
The required documents are:
- ID Proof (Passport/ Aadhar card)
- 10th/12th mark sheet
- Transfer certificate
- Residential address proof
- School/college leaving certificate
Gap Certificate for NEET (Gap Certificate for NEET Droppers)
A gap year certificate is required for the dropper students who took a drop of a year or more after their 12th grade to prepare for NEET and are willing to take admission into colleges. However, it depends on the college/university whether they require the gap affidavit or not, but preparing one beforehand might be helpful.
The required documents are:
- ID Proof (Passport/ Aadhar card)
- 10th/12th mark sheet
- Residential address proof
- NEET scorecard/NEET eligibility certificate
- Recent passport size photograph of the student applying
Gap Certificate for NEET– Download
Gap Certificate After 12th
A gap affidavit might be required for those students who took a gap after completing their 12th grade and are looking forward to taking admission into a college for doing their bachelor’s. However, proof stating the reason for the gap must be required, and no criminal record should be registered on the student’s name during the gap period.
Any student can get the gap certificate easily by contacting a lawyer where they provide a non-judicial stamp paper and charge a certain amount as their service fee.
The required documents are:
- ID proof (Passport/Aadhar card)
- 10th mark sheet
- Residential address proof
- Proof of reason behind the gap
Gap Certificate After 12th – Download
Gap Certificate After Graduation
It might be required when taking admission for post-graduation if the student has taken a short-term or long-term gap after completing their bachelor’s degree. The reasons might vary from person to person; however, personal reasons, starting a business, medical issues, financial crisis or continuing education abroad are the most common and acceptable reasons.
The required documents are:
- ID Proof (Passport/ Aadhar card)
- 10th/12th mark sheet
- Graduation certificate
- Residential address proof
- School/college leaving certificate
- Transfer certificate
Gap Certificate for Scholarship
Some colleges/universities might ask for a Gap affidavit as proof if the student has acquired a scholarship and has taken a drop from their studies prior to taking admission into that institution. The certificate also ensures that the candidate has not taken admission in any other institutions during his/her gap duration.
The required documents are:
- ID proof (Passport/Aadhar card)
- Last qualifying exam mark sheet
- Proof of reason behind the gap
- Residential address proof
How to Apply for Gap Certificate?
A legal gap affidavit can be obtained by contacting a lawyer or visiting a district court where they provide a sealed non-judiciary stamp paper. It can be considered as a legal proof behind the reason for the candidate’s gap. The gap certificate must be coupled with other original documents for the institution to consider letting the candidate apply for admission. The gap certificate must be coupled with a provisional certificate for applying for admission abroad.
- ID proof (Passport/ Aadhar card/Driver’s license)
- 10th/12th mark sheet or the mark sheet of a recent qualifying exam
- Residential Address proof
- Recent passport size photograph of the candidate
- A letter from the last educational institution
- Transfer certificate
- Course completion certificate
- Genuine reason for the gap
Process of Applying a Gap Certificate
A GAP certificate is simply an affidavit that states that the student has taken a year off from their studies. The process and documentation to make a GAP certificate are very simple. All that is required is for the student to fill out an affidavit form and submit it to the relevant authorities. Once the affidavit is approved, the student will be issued a GAP certificate.
You need the following documents and things to make a Gap Affidavit:
- Draft (Content of an affidavit)
- Non-judicial stamp paper
- Supporting documents for GAP year
- Printer (to print out the affidavit draft)
Step-by-step procedure to make an affidavit:
Step 1: First, you should write your affidavit in word format.
Step 2: Buy a non-judicial e-stamp paper nearest co-operative bank, register office, or court.
(The stamp value depends on your respective school, college or company, and it is generally valued between Rs. 20 – 200.)
Step 3: Print the affidavit’s content in word format on the e-stamp paper.
Step 4: Prepare all the supporting documents for the mentioned Gap year.
Step 5: Carry the printed affidavit to the nearest relevant authority, Notary Public.
Step 6: Sign the affidavit in front of the relevant authority (Notary Public).
Step 7: Notary Public will check the affidavit and verify your supporting documents for correctness.
Step 7: Once verified, the Notary public will sign and seal the affidavit and handover to you.
This affidavit will now be considered a Gap affidavit or Gap certificate.
How to Apply for Gap Certificate Online?
A gap certificate cannot be applied entirely online; however, there are certain websites or the above-given format which are to be filled by the candidate and can be notarized or sealed by contacting a lawyer or visiting the district court, which may help to reduce the service charge by a little bit. Students may also download the gap certificate from their school/college website.
A gap affidavit form can be downloaded online by visiting any website or using the performed format given above. The credentials are to be filled and printed by the candidate, which can then be sealed by visiting a district court or contacting a lawyer; however, a charge between Rs. 20-200 (may vary from place to place) might be collected from the candidate as a service fee.
FAQs: Gap Certificate
1. What is a Gap Certificate?
A gap certificate is an official document that states the period of time during which a student was not enrolled in school. This document is often required by colleges and universities when a student applies for admission. The gap certificate helps the admissions committee to understand why the student was not in school and whether or not the student is prepared for college-level work.
2. How to Make Gap Certificate Online?
You can’t make a gap certificate online. You will need to prepare a gap affidavit form and get verified and approved by a relevant Gazette Officer.
3. Is Gap Certificate Required for NEET?
Yes. A gap certificate is required for NEET. In case you have taken a break after qualifying for Class 12 exams, you will have to submit your examination scorecard and a Gap certificate issued by the relevant Board.