How to Get an Affidavit for a Gap Year?

April 17, 2025

A gap year affidavit is a legal document that helps students or professionals explain the reason for a break in their academic or professional journey. Whether you took time off for personal reasons, medical issues, travel, preparation for competitive exams, or any other reason, this document ensures transparency and authenticity when applying for admissions, jobs, or visas. In this blog, we will guide you on how to get a Gap Year Affidavit easily and legally.

What is a Gap Year Affidavit?

A Gap Year Affidavit is a sworn statement made on stamp paper and attested by a notary public. It is used to declare that the person took a break from their studies or work for a specific duration and explains the reason behind it. This affidavit becomes an important document during college admissions, job applications, or immigration processes.

Why is a Gap Year Affidavit Required?

A gap year affidavit is commonly requested by universities, colleges, government agencies, or employers when there’s a noticeable gap in your academic or employment timeline. Here’s why it’s important:

Transparency: It provides an official explanation for the gap.
Verification: It confirms that you were not involved in any unlawful activity during the break.
Requirement: It is a mandatory document for many educational institutions or authorities in India.

Common Reasons for a Gap Year

Some of the valid and acceptable reasons to mention in the affidavit include:

Preparing for competitive exams (like NEET, JEE, UPSC)
Medical treatment or health issues
Financial problems
Family emergencies
Travel or volunteering
Personal development or career exploration

Make sure the reason you mention in the affidavit is genuine and justifiable.

Documents Required for a Gap Year Affidavit

To create a gap year affidavit, you will typically need the following:

Aadhar Card or any Government-issued ID
Details of your last academic qualification
Duration of the gap (start and end date or year)
Reason for the gap
Passport-sized photograph (in some cases)

These details are required to prepare an accurate and valid affidavit.

How to Get a Gap Year Affidavit Online?

With the advancement of legal tech services in India, getting an affidavit online has become simple and convenient. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating your Gap Year Affidavit online:

Step 1: Choose a Trusted Legal Service Provider

Start by choosing a reputed online legal documentation platform. These platforms specialize in drafting affidavits, legal notices, and agreements as per Indian legal standards.

Step 2: Fill the Online Form

Once on the platform, select the Gap Year Affidavit service. You will be asked to fill in basic details such as:

Full name
Father’s or Mother’s name
Address
Duration of the gap
Reason for the gap

Make sure to double-check the information for accuracy.

Step 3: Select Stamp Paper Value

Depending on the state you reside in, the required stamp paper value may vary. Generally, a ₹10 or ₹20 stamp paper is used for such affidavits.

Step 4: Drafting and Notarization

After receiving your details, the legal team will prepare the affidavit in the proper format and get it notarized (if you opt for it). This ensures the affidavit is legally valid.

Step 5: Delivery

You will receive the final Gap Year Affidavit either via email as a PDF copy or as a hard copy delivered to your address, depending on the service you choose.

Format of a Gap Year Affidavit

Here’s a basic format of how the affidavit looks:

AFFIDAVIT

I, [Full Name], S/o/D/o [Parent’s Name], residing at [Address], do hereby solemnly affirm and declare as under:

That I have completed my [last qualification] in the year [Year].
That I did not pursue any course/study from [Start Year] to [End Year] due to [Reason].
That during the above-said period, I was not involved in any unlawful activities.
That I am now willing to continue my studies/career further.

Verified at [City] on this [Date].

This is followed by the signature of the deponent and the notary public.

Things to Keep in Mind

Honesty is Key: Never mention false reasons in the affidavit. Institutions may verify your claim.
Use Official Language: The affidavit should be formally worded and free of slang or casual tone.
Check Requirements: Some institutions may have specific formats or require an affidavit on a particular value of stamp paper.

Where to Use a Gap Year Affidavit?

You may be asked to produce a gap year affidavit in the following situations:

Admission to a college or university
Applying for a visa or studying abroad
Appearing for government job interviews
Joining private jobs where employment history is verified

Can You Create the Affidavit Offline?

Yes, you can also create a gap year affidavit by visiting a local notary or legal service center. However, this method may be time-consuming and require multiple visits. That’s why online services are highly preferred for their convenience and speed.

Conclusion

A gap year affidavit is a crucial document if there’s a break in your academic or career path. It helps you explain the reason for your gap in a legally acceptable format and ensures a smooth admission or job application process.

Good to Know