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A GAP certificate (GAP year certificate or GAP Affidavit) is a self-declaration certificate or non-judicial stamp paper that involves details of academic transcripts, achievements, work background, and travelling with reasons for gap duration. This official document proves your break taken during education or career. It does not have any fixed format; it all depends on the requirements of the specific university, and country. Some of the most common reasons why students take a gap include health concerns, retaking exams to work on improving grades, starting a new business, preparing for competitive exams, and applying to study abroad. The perfect GAP certificate format is simpler to evaluate your previous background by your educational and professional administrators. You can obtain a GAP certificate from educational institutions or court. Explore this article to make the GAP certificate process simpler.
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The common benefits of GAP certificate are mentioned below:
Briefly explain a break in your education or employment experience.
Transparently show your academic or professional experience, that enhances your upcoming opportunities.
Build your opportunities in a job interview, the gap certificate details your background.
Students planning to study abroad must get a GAP certificate because the officials need officials to verify their previous academic and career records.
Additionally, it includes the reasons for developing skills, lifestyle modifications, and learning new activities or hobbies related to your studies or work. This may assist your chances in your chosen fields.
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Following are the details that you must include in a GAP certificate:
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Which Documents are Required for a GAP Certificate?
You must be ready with valid required documents to obtain a GAP certificate within two to three days. The documents required for the GAP certificate include:
National identity proof namely PAN Card, Voter ID, Aadhar Card or Driving License.
All academic transcripts from previous academic institutions which include your grades and achievements.
For proof of citizenship, you can submit a passport or birth certificate.
Evidence of residential address includes utility bills, rental agreements and related documents.
Evidence of your high school or university leaving documentation, to confirm the reason for your discontinued studies.
You must provide written documents that prove the reasons for your gap.
Students can GAP certificate for admission from an accredited school/university (request to provide a GAP certificate) or court nearer to their hometown.
Start writing the affidavit in words.
Purchase your stamp paper.
Complete with relevant documents.
Submit and put your signature in front of the officials.
You will receive it within 2 to 3 days (once agreed).
You are required to write an application to your school/college, requesting them to issue a GAP certificate. Here's a format that you can use:
Here's the GAP certificate format for getting admission in a MBBS course.
Here's the GAP certificate format for getting admission in any university abroad.
Having a character certificate is mandatory for examining the GAP certificate. With the help of this certificate, the admission committee evaluates your moral character and personal qualities. It is issued by your university or college and must include your name, photograph, issuing date, and signature of the authorised representative.
Several top universities in the world know and acknowledge the importance of gaining diverse experiences during a gap year. This is why they welcome applicants with a gap year, emphasising on holistic development and admission processes.
Here's a table of some of the most reputed universities in the world that give admissions to students with gap year:
University Name | QS Ranking 2025 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | #1 |
Imperial College London | #2 |
University of Oxford | #3 |
Harvard University | #4 |
University of Melbourne | #13 |
University of Sydney | #18 |
The University of South Wales | #19 |
Yale University | #23 |
University of Toronto | #25 |
The format of a GAP certificate is the employer's full name with company or organisation name, job position and gap (start to end) with valid reasons. The reasons can be personal circumstances, health concerns, starting a business or preparing for exams.
To apply for a GAP certificate, obtain e-stamp paper from a local court, register office or cooperative bank. With required documents such as national identity proof, academic transcripts, residential address evidence, citizenship proof, a letter from a previous university or institution and related documents reason for the gaps.
When writing a letter for a GAP certificate, with the date start it with your name and contact details. Give the appropriate authority your request for a GAP certificate with break reasons and proper documentation.
Start by providing your complete name and residential address when writing an affidavit for a GAP year. Give a complete explanation and reason for the break. Add a statement confirming the accuracy of your information and sign it with a notary public.
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