JoSAA Gap Certificate PDF Download: Is it Mandatory for All Applicants?

The JoSAA gap certificate acts as proof for candidates who have taken a break between their 12th and B.Tech admission through JEE. Candidates can know whether it is mandatory from this article.

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Is the JoSAA gap certificate mandatory? Candidates who have taken a break in their education, either due to personal circumstances, to prepare for the JEE exam or other reasons, must submit this certificate as proof. This will ease the JoSAA counselling admissions process for them.

The JoSAA counselling gap certificate format is not directly available on the official website of JoSAA 2025. Eligible candidates must download it from the article below, fill out the document and submit it during the registration process.

Candidates must mandatorily submit the gap certificate of JoSAA to ensure that their candidature is not cancelled. They can check the article below to understand everything about the gap certificate.

What is the JoSAA Gap Certificate?

A JoSAA gap certificate 2025 is an affidavit providing information on the reason for the educational gap, like medical conditions, preparation for JEE and other personal reasons. It is particularly important because it shows that the candidates have passed their Class 12 examination in an earlier academic year but are applying for admission through JoSAA in 2025 or later.

A JoSAA gap certificate contains the following information:

The duration of the gap.
The reason for the gap (e.g., preparation for JEE, personal reasons, medical conditions).
A declaration that the student did not engage in any criminal activity during the gap period.

Candidates must remember that JoSAA does not directly offer a gap certificate. Candidates can get it issued from a Notary Public, a Gazetted Officer, a Court, a Government office, or an authorised private practitioner.

Also Read: JoSAA Medical Certificate 2025

Is a Gap Certificate Required for JoSAA?

Is a JoSAA gap certificate mandatory for all applicants? No, not all candidates need to fill out this certificate.

Here's the detailed list of candidates who require a JoSAA counselling gap certificate:

Candidates who have passed Class 12 before 2025, i.e., before the current academic year.
Candidates who have taken a year or more off before applying for admission via JoSAA.
There is a discontinuity in the academic timeline from Class 10 to Class 12 or Class 12 to JoSAA registration.

It is mandatory for them to carefully fill out the JoSAA gap certificate, explaining the reason for the gap. It is because the authorities will verify the authenticity of the information during the JoSAA document verification process.

Who Does not Require a JoSAA Gap Certificate?

Here's a list of candidates who do not need to show the JoSAA gap certificate:

Candidates who have completed Class 12 in 2025 and are applying in the same academic year.
There is no gap in the academic timeline.
Candidates who have proper documentation showing continuous education without any breaks.

JoSAA Gap Certificate Format

Typically, the JoSAA gap certificate contains the following elements:

The student's full name

Parent's name
Class 10 and Class 12 passing year
Gap year duration (mention specific years)
Reason for the gap
The declaration that the student was not involved in any criminal activity
Signature of the student and parent
Notarisation by an authorised notary public

Here's what a JoSAA counselling gap certificate might look like:

JoSAA Gap Certificate Format

Also Read: Major Mistakes to Avoid in JoSAA Counselling 2025

How to Download the JoSAA Gap Certificate?

As mentioned earlier, the gap certificate for JoSAA is not directly available on the official website of JoSAA. So, where can candidates find the JoSAA gap certificate format PDF? Candidates can search for the same on reliable educational portals.

The following are the steps involved in downloading a JoSAA gap certificate PDF:

Search for "JoSAA Gap Certificate PDF format" from reliable educational portals.
Use MS Word or Google Docs to draft the affidavit using the sample format.
Convert it into PDF format using any free converter.
Print it out on stamp paper (Rs. 10 or Rs. 20, as applicable in your state).
Visit a notary public to get it notarised.

Note: Always have two hard copies and a scanned PDF copy of the JoSAA gap certificate to upload or submit during the counselling.

JoSAA Counselling Gap Certificate PDF Download

The JoSAA gap certificate is not directly available on the official website of the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA). Candidates can download the same in the form of a PDF from the table provided below: