For innumerable reasons, an individual pursuing educational course may have to halt his studies and take a break. He may need time to prepare for competitive exams and join coaching centres for the same, preventing him/her from joining any college for that particular year. When the individual decides to join an educational institution after the gap, the institution may ask him to account for his “gap year” – the year for which he/she wasn’t enrolled in any institution. To account for his gap year, the individual has to submit an affidavit detailing his reasons for taking a year off.
Features of an Affidavit for Gap in Education
An affidavit for a gap in education basically details the activities undertaken, by the person seeking admission in a college, during the gap year. It is a document of legal validity produce before on the request of the institution. The person producing the document is known as the deponent. It, like all affidavits, has to be sworn before a person authorised to administer an oath e.g. the Public Notary.
Advantages of having an Affidavit for Gap in Education
An affidavit is signed by the deponent undertaking the oath, that he had taken a gap year and also, that all activities performed by him during the gap year were not illegal or of a criminal nature. It details his/her activities and makes it easier for the institution to keep track of his/her activities.
The process of making an Affidavit for Gap in Education
The process of making the affidavit for a gap in education is fairly simple. However, as it is a legal document it is recommended to take the advice of legal experts or lawyers.
Drafting the Affidavit.
The deponent must draft the affidavit. The affidavit must include the following:
- Name and age of the deponent,
- Name of deponent’s parent or guardian,
- Place of residence,
- Details of the previously cleared exams (date and year of passing and institution),
- Duration of the gap in education,
- Reason for a gap in Education,
- A declaration that the deponent was not indulging in criminal or illegal activity during the gap year, and
- A declaration that whatever the deponent states in the affidavit are true and correct to the best of the deponent’s knowledge.
Attaching documents required
The deponent must attach proof of his activities during the gap year along with the affidavit. For example, if the deponent, during the gap year, attended a coaching center for preparation of competitive exams, he can attach the admission receipt or fee receipt as proof of his activity during the gap year.
Notarizing
The deponent must get the affidavit printed on a stamp paper of denomination suggested by the concerned authorities and get the same notarized by the Public Notary. Only after getting it notarized does the affidavit become legally valid.