A Break That Builds You

As Benjamin Franklin once said, "An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest."

- NANDINI BANERJEE

The gap year in the current academic system is that investment which paves the way to greater returns in knowledge.

In a country where career paths are often decided in the early stages of high school, the idea of taking a break from academics sounds radical—but that's exactly what a growing number of students in India are choosing to do. The concept of 'gap year,' which is a common practice in countries like the United Kingdom and the United States, is slowly making its way into the Indian education narrative. More students are pressing pause after school or college—not to laze around, but to reflect, grow and realign their goals.

The traditional Indian mindset around education follows a strict uninterrupted trajectory: school—college—job—stability. A break in this flow is often considered a failure or mistake. Parents fear that their children would 'fall behind,' and society often equates taking off as a lack of ambition or seriousness.

The 2020 pandemic acted as an unexpected equaliser—forcing millions of students into a pause they did not plan for. Yet, it opened a door. Students began to explore online courses, side hustles and new career paths. The silence of lockdown sparked deeper questions.