Kezia Liz Mejo of Kerala has emerged as the winner of Miss Universe India 2026, earning the opportunity to carry India's flag to the international Miss Universe stage later this year. The national finale was held in Jaipur, Rajasthan, where contestants from across the country competed for the coveted crown.
The grand finale took place at Zee Studios in Jaipur on Sunday night and brought together 52 finalists representing different parts of India. After multiple rounds showcasing confidence, personality, communication skills and stage presence, Kezia secured the top honour.
Her victory means she will now prepare to represent India at the 75th Miss Universe competition, scheduled to be held in Puerto Rico later this year.
Kezia Liz Mejo Takes Home the Miss Universe India 2026 Crown
The finale concluded with Kezia Liz Mejo being announced as Miss Universe India 2026. Her performance throughout the competition helped her stand out among a strong field of contestants.
The newly crowned winner was presented with the crown by Manika Vishwakarma, Miss Universe India 2025, marking the ceremonial transition of the national title.
For Kezia, however, winning the crown is only the beginning of a much larger journey. With the national competition behind her, attention will now turn to her preparations for the international pageant.
The Miss Universe platform brings together national titleholders from countries around the world, making it one of the most closely followed international beauty competitions.
India Gets Its Representative for the 75th Miss Universe Pageant
By winning the national title, Kezia has secured the right to represent India at the upcoming global Miss Universe competition.
The 75th edition of the international pageant is expected to take place in Puerto Rico, where contestants representing various countries will compete for the Miss Universe crown.
Representing India at the competition will require preparation across several areas, including stage presentation, interviews, communication, styling and overall personality development.
The international contest is not simply about appearance. Modern beauty pageants increasingly place significant emphasis on confidence, articulation, social awareness, personal stories and the ability of contestants to communicate effectively with a global audience.
Vaishnavi Ganesh Named First Runner-Up
The competition was closely contested, with several participants delivering impressive performances during the finale.
Vaishnavi Ganesh of Tamil Nadu finished as the first runner-up at Miss Universe India 2026.
Meanwhile, Anushree Satwalekar of Gujarat secured the second runner-up position.
The top three contestants therefore represented Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, highlighting the geographical diversity of this year's national competition.
Throughout the event, participants were evaluated on several aspects of their presentation. The finale gave contestants an opportunity to demonstrate not only their style and stage presence but also their confidence and ability to perform under pressure.
52 Finalists Competed for the National Title
Miss Universe India 2026 featured 52 finalists from across the country, making the competition a significant national platform for aspiring pageant contestants.
Reaching the finale itself required contestants to progress through earlier stages of the selection process. At the Jaipur event, the finalists showcased their personalities, talent and confidence before the winner was ultimately selected.
Large national pageants can serve as a stepping stone for contestants looking to build careers in modelling, entertainment, fashion, public speaking and other creative industries.
For the winner, however, the immediate priority becomes preparing for the much more competitive international stage.
Kezia Calls the Crown a Responsibility
Following her victory, Kezia Liz Mejo described winning the Miss Universe India title as something that carries meaning beyond personal success.
She indicated that representing India internationally would be both a matter of pride and a major responsibility.
That responsibility will become more significant as she prepares to compete against national winners from around the world.
The period between winning the national crown and participating in Miss Universe typically becomes an intensive preparation phase. Contestants work on communication, fitness, styling, interviews, stage presentation and other aspects needed for an international competition.
Jaipur Hosts the Grand National Finale
Jaipur served as the backdrop for the Miss Universe India 2026 finale, bringing one of India's major beauty pageants to the Rajasthan capital.
The event attracted contestants from across India and culminated in the crowning of Kerala's Kezia Liz Mejo.
For Jaipur, hosting such a national event also adds to the city's growing profile as a destination for fashion, entertainment, cultural and large-scale lifestyle events.
With the national title now decided, the focus shifts from Jaipur to the international stage.
What Comes Next for Kezia Liz Mejo?
Kezia's next major challenge will be preparing to compete against representatives from numerous countries at the 75th Miss Universe pageant.
International competitions demand more than a strong appearance on stage. Contestants are expected to demonstrate individuality, confidence, communication skills and the ability to represent their countries before a worldwide audience.
For Kezia Liz Mejo, winning Miss Universe India 2026 has opened the door to that global platform.
Her victory in Jaipur gives her the opportunity to represent India before an international audience, while Vaishnavi Ganesh and Anushree Satwalekar finish the national competition as first and second runners-up respectively.
All eyes will now be on Kezia as she begins preparations for the next chapter of her pageant journey and India's campaign at Miss Universe 2026.
