Reigning Miss Universe India 2025 Manika Vishwakarma crowned 19‑year‑old Kaziah Liz Mejo from Kerala as Miss Universe India 2026 during the grand finale in Jaipur, Rajasthan, on Sunday, 23 August 2026.

Manika Vishwakarma delivered the crown to Kaziah Liz Mejo in a ceremony that unfolded against Jaipur’s historic backdrop, officially declaring the 19‑year‑old as Miss Universe India 2026.^[1]

The grand finale featured 52 finalists—elected through months of auditions, interviews and preliminary rounds—and concluded with a series of high‑pressure stages that led to the final decision.^[1]

Panel of Judges

The jury was anchored by India’s inaugural Miss Universe, Sushmita Sen, alongside former Miss Universe India titleholders Celina Jaitly, Urvashi Rautela and Rhea Singha, and industry experts such as Pragya Kapoor and the President of the Glamanand Group.^[1]

Kaziah Liz Mejo’s Path to the Crown

Born in 2007 and raised in Abu Dhabi, Mejo’s affinity for the performing arts began in 2012 with classical dance lessons, and she later honed her skills in violin, drums, singing and modeling.^[3]

Her pageant journey launched in 2024 when she won the Miss Teen Diva title and culminated with a first runner‑up finish at Miss Teen International in 2025, before stepping into the national spotlight as Miss Universe Kerala in 2026.^[3]

Road Ahead: Miss Universe 2026

Mejo will take her national triumph to the 75th Miss Universe competition, set to unfold in Puerto Rico this November, where she aims to carry India’s rich pageant tradition onto the global stage.^[1]