Kaziah Liz Mejo, a 19‑year‑old law student and model, clinched the Miss Universe India 2026 crown at the grand finale in Jaipur, outshining 53 contestants. Vaishnavi Gannesh of Tamil Nadu was the first runner‑up, while Anushri Satavlekar from Gujarat secured the Miss International India 2026 title as second runner‑up.

Mejo previously finished as first runner‑up at Miss Teen International 2025. She has trained in classical dance for 12 years, can sing, and plays both drums and violin. Her acting debut was in the Mollywood film “Shylock,” and she is also an accomplished public speaker.

Born in 2007 in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Mejo attended Emirates National School, St Joseph’s School and Abu Dhabi Indian School. She now holds the distinction of being the first Keralite to win the national Miss Universe title.

Following her victory, she will compete in the 75th Miss Universe pageant scheduled for November 2026 in Puerto Rico, where she will face contestants from around the globe.

The distinguished jury was headed by former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen, joined by past title‑holders Urvashi Rautela (Miss Universe India 2015) and Celina Jaitley (Miss Universe India 2001), who praised Mejo’s poise and talent.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that Kaziah’s win not only redefines beauty standards in Kerala but also opens new avenues for India’s youth to shine on global stages as multifaceted personalities.

"Kaziah’s diverse skill set signals a shift where future pageant winners will be evaluated for cultural depth and academic excellence, not just appearance," says fashion analyst Riya Kapoor.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who were the judges for Miss Universe India 2026? The panel was led by former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen, with Urvashi Rautela and Celina Jaitley serving as senior judges.
• When and where will Kaziah compete internationally? She will represent India at the Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico in November 2026.