career gap impact

Yes you can and you will. Taking gap for health, entrepreneurship, family etc is all good. No one can stop you. Though your gap is very small compared to what people in my network have taken, as long as you can genuinely convince the HR that your gap was important for your growth and peace, you are all good to go. Job is just a part of your life. Life has way more important things. You are in the initial state of your career thats why you are feeling this and its completely normal. Keep giving your best and you will get to the place you want to be.

There are psychos in Indian companies they look career gap with suspicious. I know it hurts. But can’t help Indian mindset. Typical people will burn in hell

Say you've signed a NDA, can't share/explain the gap. Boom, checkmate

I took 8 months gap,once I started applying I got almost 95% of companies didn't really bother asking about it and they didn't mind once I told brought it up.Take your time. Come back fresh.Atb.