Nineteen-year-old law student Kaziah Liz Mejo from Mavelikkara, Kerala, has officially been crowned Miss Universe India 2026 after triumphing at the national pageant held in Jaipur on Sunday, August 23. Kaziah clinched the title at the grand finale hosted at Zee Studios in Jaipur, where she competed against 52 talented finalists representing various regions across the country. Following this remarkable victory, she is now set to represent India at the upcoming 75th Miss Universe pageant, scheduled to take place in Puerto Rico in November 2026.
Runners-Up and Sub-Titles
While the national crown went to Kaziah, Tamil Nadu's Vaishnavi Gannesh emerged as the first runner-up and was additionally crowned Miss International India 2026. Gujarat's Anushri Satavlekar secured the second runner-up position, while Maharashtra's Tejaswini Shrivastava finished as the third runner-up. Rounding out the top placements, Anubha Vashisth Chaudhary from Uttarakhand was announced as the fourth runner-up of the competition.
Global Stage and Prize Details
The foremost reward for Kaziah's victory is the prestigious crown itself alongside the opportunity to proudly represent India on the international stage. She will immediately begin preparations for the global pageant in Puerto Rico this November. India boasts a proud legacy in the international Miss Universe arena, with Sushmita Sen securing the title in 1994, Lara Dutta in 2000, and Harnaaz Sandhu bringing home the crown in 2021. Regarding financial rewards, considerable online speculation surrounds the Miss Universe India 2026 prize money, but no official cash prize figures have been publicly confirmed in available reports thus far.
Journey to the Crown
For Kaziah, this national win marks the latest milestone in a competitive pageant journey that began several years ago. Despite being only 19, she has already gained international pageant experience and successfully balanced her burgeoning modeling career with rigorous law studies. This victory on the national stage grants her the biggest platform of her career thus far as she prepares for the global spotlight.
