24/08/2026
Kerala’s Kaziah Liz Mejo Crowned Miss Universe India 2026
Jaipur, August 23:
At just 19, Kerala’s Kaziah Liz Mejo has scripted a remarkable chapter in Indian pageantry, winning the Miss Universe India 2026 crown at a glittering grand finale held at Zee Studios in Jaipur, Rajasthan, on Sunday.
Mejo, a law student and model from Mavelikkara, emerged victorious from a field of 52 finalists and will now represent India at the 75th Miss Universe pageant, scheduled to be held in Puerto Rico in November.
The first runner-up title, along with Miss International India 2026, went to Vaishnavi Gannesh of Tamil Nadu, while Anushri Satavlekar of Gujarat secured the second runner-up position.
Kaziah’s achievement adds to an already impressive pageant journey. She represented India at Miss Teen International 2025, where she finished as the first runner-up.
The grand finale featured an acclaimed jury led by Sushmita Sen, India’s first Miss Universe, who won the global crown in 1994. Former titleholders Celina Jaitly and Urvashi Rautela were also part of the prestigious panel, alongside other personalities from the worlds of cinema, fashion, business and beauty.
The 2026 edition reportedly attracted around 8,000–9,000 aspirants, with the final 52 contestants emerging through state pageants, auditions, wildcard entries and the NRI category.
From Mavelikkara to the international stage, Kaziah Liz Mejo’s journey now moves toward Puerto Rico - with India’s hopes riding on the young law student and model.