Kerala's Daughter Wins the Crown: Kejiah Liz Mejo Named Miss Universe India 2026 in Jaipur, Set for World Stage

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Kerala's Kejiah Liz Mejo won the Miss Universe India 2026 title at a grand finale held in Jaipur.

Tamil Nadu's Vaishnavi Ganesh finished second and Gujarat's Anushri Satavlekar came third.

52 selected contestants from across the country took part in the finale, alongside nearly 800 fashion designers and delegates.

Bollywood stars Sushmita Sen, Urvashi Rautela, and Celina Jaitly graced the event.

Winner Kejiah Liz Mejo will now represent India at the international Miss Universe stage.

A National Stage for Beauty in the Pink City

Ananya soch. The grand finale of Miss Universe India 2026, one of the country's most prestigious beauty pageants, was once again hosted in Jaipur. In this striking blend of glamour, confidence, and Indian culture, contestants selected from across the nation showcased their talent and personality.

Kerala's Daughter Claims the Crown

During the finale, Kerala's Kejiah Liz Mejo impressed the panel of judges with her confidence, commanding personality, and stage presence, winning the coveted title. Tamil Nadu's Vaishnavi Ganesh placed second, while Gujarat's Anushri Satavlekar came third. With the win, Kejiah Liz Mejo will now represent India at Miss Universe, the world's biggest beauty pageant.

Talent Tested Across Multiple Rounds

Contestants demonstrated their talent, communication skills, and understanding of Indian culture across various rounds of the competition. Alongside fashion and beauty, special emphasis was placed on participants' social awareness, leadership qualities, and confidence — signalling that the pageant now goes beyond appearance to assess overall personality.

Winner's Message

After winning the title, Kejiah Liz Mejo said the achievement was, for her, not just an accomplishment but a major responsibility, and that she would use the platform to present India's diversity, culture, and the strength of its new generation to the world.

Bollywood Presence Added to the Glamour

The event's grandeur was heightened by the presence of Sushmita Sen, India's first Miss Universe winner, two-time Miss Universe India winner Urvashi Rautela, and Celina Jaitly, who was Miss Universe first runner-up nearly 25 years ago. Miss Universe India 2024 and 2025 winners Rhea Singha and Manika Vishwakarma also attended the ceremony.

A Large-Scale Affair

Miss Universe India owner Nikhil Anand said the platform's purpose is to give talented young women from across the country a national stage to showcase their talent, personality, confidence, and leadership abilities. This year's finale saw 52 contestants from across the country compete, while nearly 800 fashion designers and delegates from around the world attended. National PR Director Sarveshh Kashyap said the platform has previously given international recognition to talents like Sushmita Sen, Lara Dutta, Urvashi Rautela, and Celina Jaitly, and expressed hope that Kejiah would bring the Miss Universe crown home to India this time.