Kaziah Liz Mejo was crowned Miss Universe India 2026 during the grand finale held in Jaipur on Aug. 23 [3].
The victory places the 19-year-old [1] in the international spotlight as she prepares to compete for a global title. Her win marks a significant milestone for the Kerala-born student, who was raised in Abu Dhabi [1].
Mejo secured the title at Zee Studios in Jaipur [4], where she competed against 51 other finalists [2]. The competition evaluated contestants on a variety of criteria before selecting the representative for the national title [2].
As the newly crowned Miss Universe India, Mejo earned the right to represent the country at the 75th Miss Universe pageant [6]. The international competition is scheduled to take place in Puerto Rico in November 2026 [5].
Mejo balances her modeling career with her academic pursuits as a law student [1]. Her journey from Abu Dhabi to the national stage in India highlights the diverse backgrounds of modern pageant contestants, a trend seen across recent international competitions.
The event in Jaipur served as the final selection process for the national representative. Mejo now enters a period of intensive preparation for the global stage in Puerto Rico, where she will compete against representatives from dozens of other nations [5].
“Kaziah Liz Mejo was crowned Miss Universe India 2026 during the grand finale held in Jaipur.”
Mejo's selection reflects a continuing shift in the Miss Universe organization's criteria, emphasizing a blend of academic achievement and professional modeling. By appointing a law student with an international upbringing, the organization aligns with a broader trend of selecting representatives who possess diverse educational backgrounds and global perspectives to compete in the 75th edition of the pageant.
