19-year-old Kaziah is a law student and model from Mavelikkara. She also represented India at Miss Teen International in 2025 and finished as the first runner-up.
Who were the judges?
The 2026 finale featured a high-profile jury led by Sushmita Sen, who became India’s first Miss Universe in 1994. The panel also included former titleholders Celina Jaitly, Miss Universe India 2001, and Urvashi Rautela, Miss Universe India 2015.
Other members of the jury included Rhea Singha, Miss Universe India 2024; film producer Pragya Kapoor; entrepreneur Visha Ladhia; Miss Charm 2025 Anna Blanco; and dermatologist Dr Stuti Khare Shukla, among others.
How the Miss Universe India 2026 finalists were selected
The grand finale was held at Zee Studios in Jaipur, bringing months of auditions, grooming sessions and preliminary competitions to an end. The 2026 edition saw around 8,000 to 9,000 aspirants considered during the selection process, according to organisers. The final 52 contestants were selected through regional state pageants, final auditions, wildcard entries and an NRI category.
The finalists participated in several events and preliminary rounds before arriving in Jaipur for the grand finale. These included a sashing ceremony, speech and introduction rounds, a gala event and a swimsuit competition.
About Miss Universe India
Miss Universe India is the national pageant that selects India’s representative for the Miss Universe competition. The Glamanand Group has organised the pageant since taking over the Indian franchise in 2024.
The first edition under the new franchise was held in 2024, when Rhea Singha won the title. In 2025, Manika Vishwakarma was crowned Miss Universe India. Both went on to represent India at the international Miss Universe pageant.
With Kaziah Liz Mejo now winning the national crown, all eyes will be on her as she prepares to represent India at the 75th Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico in November, where she will compete against contestants from around the world.
Ahead of the international competition, Kaziah is expected to undergo further preparation and grooming as she gets ready to take the global stage and compete for the Miss Universe crown.
