Fashion Design

B.Des eligibility criteria of NIFT is given below.
1. Qualifying Age: Maximum age should be 23 years as on 1st October, 2019. The upper age limit may be relaxed by a period of 5 (five) years for candidates of Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe/ Person with Disability (PWD) categories.
2. Educational qualification for Bachelor of Design (B.Des) Programmes (Fashion Design / Leather Design / Accessory Design / Textile Design / Knitwear Design / Fashion Communication) : The +2 level examination in the 10+2 pattern of examination of any recognized Central/State Board of Secondary Examination, such as Central Board of Secondary Education / State Board New Delhi, and Council for Indian School of Certificate Examination, New Delhi.
So from above age criteria is very important. The Gap of 5 years after 12th is not a big issue because you have completed your graduation during this period. So you can be eligible if meeting the age criteria as above.
Further you are also eligible for M.Des course of NIFT because there is no age restriction for M.Des course. While the eligibility criteria is Graduation in any discipline. The admission in M.Des are also done through NIFT entrance exam.

JD Institute of Fashion Technology Gwalior offers a Diploma in the fashion design course of one year of duration. The course overview is given below.
1. The one-year fashion design course emphasis on practical industry oriented training.
2. The fashion designer course is developed to give you intense training, helping you develop your own collection.
3. The project-based fashion designing course duration is of 120 to 190 hours for each project, is driven by a systematic technical approach, research, creativity, imagination and marketing
4. Stresses on the detailed knowledge of the subject, from concept to consumer, including fabric analysis, and productions as gained from research and thematic work
5. The certificate course in fashion designing relies on tracking the evolving trends, norms, cultural dynamics and innovations of the Indian and international Fashion industry.
6. The students get an opportunity to showcase their collection on the runway in front of top people from Industry. Career opportunities: The one-year Diploma in fashion design from JD Institute of Fashion Technology, one of the best fashion designing institutes in India provides a lot opportunity for the aspirants to make a mark in the fashion world, where you can have your own brand, work as buyer, public relations, stylist, Visual Merchandiser, fashion columnist. Eligibility criteria and admission: 10+2 and Entrance test.

The Continuing education programs of NIFT may the best option for you. The admission in courses are done through the concerned NIFT center. These programmes reflect the requirements and concerns of the industry and have been carefully planned to spur professional growth, relevant to individuals at different stages of their careers, and also to those aspiring to join the industry. The participants receive a NIFT
certificate on successful completion of the programme. The various type of CE programs are available in Fashion design of one year duration, Few of them are listed below.
1. Fashion & Clothing Technology (FCT)
2. Fashion Integration for Textiles (FIT)
3. Fashion Retail Management (FRM)
4. Fashion Knitwear Production and Technology (FKPT)
5. Fashion Design & Clothing Technology (FDCT)
Please read CE-Prospectus of NIFT for more details
https://nift.ac.in/sites/default/files/2019-06/CE- Prospectus 2019 -26.06.19. pdf.