JAIPUR: At 19, law student Kaziah Liz Mejo has been crowned Miss Universe India 2026, marking a new chapter in the journey of the Kerala-born beauty who spent her formative years in the UAE.Born in 2007, Mejo grew up in Abu Dhabi, where she completed her schooling at Emirates National School, St Joseph’s School and Abu Dhabi Indian School.Her years in the UAE exposed her to a diverse, multicultural environment, an experience she has credited with helping shape her confidence, communication skills and outlook.
From Abu Dhabi to the national crown
Mejo was crowned Miss Universe India 2026 at a grand finale held at Zee Studios in Jaipur on August 23.She emerged the winner from a field of 52 national finalists, succeeding Miss Universe India 2025 Manika Vishwakarma, who passed on the crown during the finale, news agency ANI reported.Speaking to ANI, Mejo said, “I feel so on top of the world. This is such an iconic moment, and the moment that I have worked for over three years now.”“I am so incredibly happy that I get to bring home this crown to my Kerala to be able to show my hometown to the world and carry it to the universe,” she added.The Glamanand Group, which manages the Miss Universe India Organisation, announced the top five placements following the competition.Tamil Nadu’s Vaishnavi Gannesh was named the first runner-up and was also crowned Miss International India 2026.Anushri Satavlekar of Gujarat finished as the second runner-up, while Maharashtra’s Tejaswini Shrivastava and Uttarakhand’s Anubha Vashisth were named the third and fourth runners-up, respectively.
A panel of former beauty queens
The judging panel included Bollywood actor and India’s first Miss Universe, Sushmita Sen; actress and former Miss Universe India, Urvashi Rautela; Miss Universe India 2024 Rhea Singha; and environmentalist and film producer Pragya Kapoor.Former Miss India Universe and Miss Universe Runner-up, Celina Jaitly, was also part of the selection process.The contestants were evaluated on confidence, eloquence and stage presence during the competition.
What’s next for Kaziah?
Following her national title, Mejo will begin preparations for the global Miss Universe competition.She is set to represent India at the 75th Miss Universe pageant, scheduled to take place in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in November 2026.(With agency inputs)
