New Delhi, August 24: Kerala’s 19-year-old Kaziah Liz Mejo has been crowned Miss Universe India 2026, marking a significant achievement for the young law student and model. She emerged victorious at the national pageant finale held in Jaipur, defeating a strong field of contestants from across the country.

Kaziah, who hails from Mavelikkara in Kerala, will now carry India’s hopes to the international stage. She is scheduled to represent the country at the 75th Miss Universe competition in Puerto Rico in November 2026.

The young beauty queen has already built experience in the pageant world. Before winning the national title, Kaziah was crowned Miss Universe Kerala 2026. She also represented India at the Miss Teen International 2025 competition, where she secured the position of first runner-up.

Her latest victory represents another major milestone in her rapidly developing career. Competing against 52 finalists, Kaziah impressed the judges with her confidence, communication skills, stage presence and overall performance throughout the competition.

The grand finale brought together several prominent personalities from the Indian fashion and entertainment industry. Former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen led the judging panel, while actress and former beauty queen Urvashi Rautela and actress Celina Jaitly were among the other notable judges. Their presence added considerable glamour and prestige to the national event.

The competition also saw contestants from different parts of India competing for coveted international titles. Vaishnavi Gannesh of Tamil Nadu was named the first runner-up and earned the title of Miss International India 2026. Anushri Satavlekar of Gujarat finished as the second runner-up.

Kaziah’s victory has drawn attention to Kerala’s growing presence in national beauty pageants. Her journey from the state-level competition to the national crown demonstrates her determination to establish herself in the highly competitive pageant industry.

As Miss Universe India 2026, Kaziah will now begin preparations for the international competition in Puerto Rico. The global event is expected to bring together contestants representing countries from around the world, giving her an opportunity to showcase Indian culture, confidence and talent on an international platform.

For the teenager from Kerala, the national crown is not only a personal achievement but also the beginning of a much bigger journey. With her previous international pageant experience and the support that comes with winning the Indian title, expectations will be high as she prepares to represent the country.

Her success has already become a moment of pride for her home state and supporters across India. All eyes will now be on Kaziah as she takes the next step in her pageant career and prepares for the 75th Miss Universe competition later this year.

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