What is a Gap Certificate? [Format, Sample for Neet, Application]

A gap certificate is an essential requirement for those students who have taken a break from regular education owing to some reasons and are looking to resume their studies. This certification informs the concerned authority about a specific reason why the student had taken a gap, for instance, to pursue a job or entrepreneurship. In this article, we will provide you with the Gap Certificate, its format, samples for NEET, 12th and documents required and application.

What is a Gap Certificate?

A Gap Certificate is a document of self-declaration under a non-judicial stamp paper that states the period and reason for the interval taken clearly. You can also a gap year certificate or affidavit. Further, if a student isn’t able to complete his course in a certain time and therefore has to drop out, he will require to submit this affidavit/certificate. In it, the student needs to declare that he/she neither involve or hold association in any illegal case and that no case has been registered in their name. Solicitation of wrong information may even lead to the cancellation of admission.

Details Mentioned on Gap Certificate

The format of the gap certificate consists of the following details

• Name of the candidate
• Age
• Residential address
• Most recent educational qualification
• Institute Name (from where he/she has received education)
• Date from which candidate has taken a gap or Gap durations
• Reason for taking the gap
• Name of the college/university where the candidate wants to take admission
• Date of application
• Signature of candidate
• Signature of advocate

Documents Required

To apply for a gap certificate, a candidate has to submit some crucial documents as proof of their individuality. A copy of these documents should be submitted along with the application form for the gap certificate. The documents required are listed below:

• ID Proof (PAN Card/Aadhar card/Voter ID/Driving license)
• School/College leaving certificate
• A letter from the last educational institute (Authentication declaration)
• Residential address proof
• Citizenship proof
• Marksheet of last qualifying exam
• The reason behind the Gap

Gap Certificate Reasons

There are several reasons which may result in a student taking a gap from his studies. These gaps may range from one to more years. The cause of a break can also vary greatly. Some of the common reasons for a gap year in education have been mentioned below:

• Financial Difficulty
• Critical Health Problems
• Personal Reasons
• Employment
• Entrepreneurship
• Preparation for Entrance, Certification Examinations
• Applying Overseas
• Pursuit of Sports/Hobbies/Liberal Arts 

Uses of Gap Affidavit

It is a crucial document that you can use if you have taken a gap year between your education. It is required in different cases:

1. It acts as proof of your gap year and the reason behind it
2. It is used to continue education
3. It is used to get a job after a long gap
4. It helps to compensate for the educational backlog created

Gap Certificate Format

Universities/institutions usually prescribe their own format for a gap affidavit. You must visit the concerned university website for further information. Here is the format that you can use for college admission or for applying to a university:

Gap Certificate Samples

GAP Certificate for NEET

The certificate might be required for droppers who took a year or more off after their studies and are opting for NEET admissions. It is needed during NEET counselling and mainly depends on whether the college or university asks for a GAP affidavit or not. Here is the format which you can use for NEET counselling:

GAP Certificate After 12th

A GAP Affidavit or certificate will be required by a student who has taken one or more gap years after 12th and is applying for admission into a university or college after the gap period. In such a case, you need to declare that you did not study at any institution during the gap period as well as the reason for taking the gap. You can buy a stamp certificate from an advocate, a notary, sub-registrar offices, or courts, amongst others and it might cost around 100-500 INR for a stamp paper and mention the key details about your gap year. Take a look at the following study gap affidavit format after the 12th.

Gap Certificate for College Admission

It is required for college admission if you have taken a gap between your class 12th and admission year in bachelors or if you have taken a gap between bachelors and masters. It identifies the reason behind the gap which usually are:

1. Preparation for competitive exams
2. Health issues
3. Financial problems
4. Pursuing other career plans
5. Applying for study abroad

The documents that you need are:

1. Latest Marksheet
2. Identity proof
3. Proof of reason behind the gap

How to Apply? 

Candidates must apply for the same at their universities by submitting the following original documents along with an affidavit at the university: 

• Marksheet 
• Transfer Certificate
• Certificate of previously acquired degree
• Identity proof 
• Birth certificate

Gap Certificate Online

Yes, you can make one online by using the aforementioned formats. You can download these certificates from the link above and fill them out. After filling in your details, you can then get in touch with a notary or a lawyer to get the stamp which will cost 70 INR to 150 INR. Moreover, you can also visit the official website of your school or university to get it online.

How to Write an Application for a Gap Certificate

When applying for a gap certificate, you can either fill out an affidavit self-attested or you can take it from your college or school authorities. In such a case, you must write an application to your school or college principal. Here is a format for the application:

Character Affidavit for Gap Year Students

Most of the universities accept the character certificate you received from your school even after break of an year. However, some universities may have a problem with that. Some universities and certain colleges in Delhi University accept gap year certificates that are no older than 6 months while some go for a year.

In such a case, you can apply for a new character certificate by applying to the school you last studied. The application should mention your situation, the reason behind the gap, and request a new character certificate.

Key Elements

As this affidavit is legally enforceable, each piece of information must be true, verified and sworn by the student. Mentioned below are some important points of inclusion for this certificate:

• Candidate’s Name and Age
• Father/Mother/Guardian’s Name
• Residential Address
• Highest Qualification Achieved
• Period of Gap Taken
• Reasons for the Gap
• A declaration that the candidate is not involved in any illegal activity during that time.
• A declaration that all provided information is true and authentic.

Is It Necessary?

There are many benefits of owning this document, a few of them are as follows: 

• Bridges your academic break 
• Helps you complete your education after taking a break 
• Helps you in managing the crisis
• Explains the loss of education 
• Helps in job interviews
• Reduces the pressure of not being able to complete studies
• Puts a good image in front of the recruiters

FAQs

Apart from this, there are numerous other hurdles that a student needs to tackle to restart his studies after a considerable gap. If you are looking to take up higher studies abroad but are uncertain regarding certain aspects of your candidature, the counsellors at Leverage Edu can help you in making an informed choice. This way you can overcome your concerns and build a fulfilling career. Call us immediately at 1800 57 2000 for a free 30-minute counselling session.