Kerala-born model and law student Kaziah Liz Mejo has won the Miss Universe India 2026 title at the age of 19. The Mavelikkara native emerged victorious from a field of 52 finalists at the grand finale in Jaipur on August 23 and will now represent India at the 75th Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico in November.
At 19, Kaziah Liz Mejo has reached the biggest stage of her pageant career so far. The Kerala-born model and law student was crowned Miss Universe India 2026 at the national finale held in Jaipur on Sunday, August 23.
Her victory marks another major milestone in a pageant journey that began when she was a teenager. Having already represented India internationally and won a state-level title, Kaziah will now carry the country’s hopes to the global Miss Universe competition in Puerto Rico.
Kaziah Liz Mejo Wins Miss Universe India 2026
Kaziah emerged from a field of 52 finalists competing for the national crown.
The Jaipur finale brought together contestants from across India, with the competition eventually narrowing down to the final contenders.
Tamil Nadu’s Vaishnavi Gannesh was named the first runner-up, while Gujarat’s Anushri Satavlekar finished as the second runner-up. Anushri also received the Miss International India 2026 title.
The judging panel featured several prominent names from India’s pageant history, including former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen and former Miss Universe India winners Urvashi Rautela and Celina Jaitley.
Kaziah’s victory puts her in line to compete internationally later this year.
From Mavelikkara to the National Crown
Kaziah is originally from Mavelikkara in Kerala and is pursuing a career that combines academics, modelling and pageantry.
While beauty competitions have become an important part of her public profile, she is also studying law.
Her academic journey and pageant career have developed alongside each other, giving her a profile that extends beyond modelling and fashion.
Before winning Miss Universe India, Kaziah had already accumulated significant pageant experience.
At just 17, she won Miss Teen Diva 2024, establishing herself as a promising young contestant in India’s pageant circuit.
She subsequently represented India at Miss Teen International 2025, where she finished as the first runner-up.
Earlier in 2026, she won the Miss Universe Kerala 2026 title, becoming the youngest winner of the state crown.
Her national victory therefore represents the latest stage in a journey that began several years ago.
She Spent Her Childhood in Abu Dhabi
Although Kaziah’s roots are in Kerala, she spent much of her childhood in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
She studied at institutions including Emirates National School, St Joseph’s School and Abu Dhabi Indian School.
Growing up in an international environment also gave her exposure to different cultures and experiences from an early age.
Her interests extend well beyond pageantry.
Kaziah Is Also a Classical Dancer and Musician
Kaziah has trained in classical dance for 12 years, making performing arts an important part of her background.
She is also a singer and musician and has learned to play instruments including the drums and violin.
In addition to dance and music, she has explored public speaking and acting.
These skills have contributed to a versatile profile that combines performance, communication and stage presence—qualities that are particularly valuable in international pageantry.
A Connection to Malayalam Cinema
Kaziah has also ventured into acting.
She made her Malayalam film debut in Shylock, adding another dimension to her entertainment career.
While pageantry remains central to her current journey, her experience in cinema, modelling and public performance gives her exposure to multiple areas of the entertainment industry.
Her transition from a teenage pageant contestant to a national titleholder has consequently been accompanied by experience in several creative disciplines.
Her Pageant Journey Began as a Teenager
Kaziah’s path to the Miss Universe India crown has been relatively rapid.
Her major pageant milestones include:
- Miss Teen Diva 2024 — Winner
- Miss Teen International 2025 — First Runner-Up
- Miss Universe Kerala 2026 — Winner
- Miss Universe India 2026 — Winner
Each competition has provided another level of experience, culminating in her national victory at the age of 19.
Her second-place finish at Miss Teen International was particularly significant because it gave her experience competing on an international platform before entering the senior Miss Universe system.
Jaipur Finale Sets Up Her Biggest Challenge Yet
Winning the national crown means Kaziah’s next assignment will be considerably larger.
She is scheduled to travel to Puerto Rico in November to represent India at the 75th Miss Universe pageant.
The international competition will bring together contestants representing countries and territories around the world.
For Kaziah, it will be her biggest pageant assignment to date and a chance to build on the international experience she gained during Miss Teen International.
The global stage will also test her communication skills, confidence, cultural representation and ability to connect with an international audience.
More Than a Pageant Title
Kaziah’s story stands out because her national victory comes alongside her education and diverse interests.
At 19, she is pursuing law while maintaining a career in modelling and pageantry. Her background in classical dance, music, acting and public speaking has also helped create a broader platform beyond traditional beauty-pageant credentials.
The combination reflects how modern pageants increasingly place emphasis on personality, communication, confidence and individual identity alongside appearance.
For Kaziah, the Miss Universe India title now provides an opportunity to bring those different experiences to an international audience.
From Kerala to the Miss Universe Stage
Kaziah Liz Mejo’s journey from Mavelikkara, Kerala, to the national Miss Universe crown has unfolded over just a few years.
She entered the pageant world as a teenager, won Miss Teen Diva, represented India internationally, claimed the Miss Universe Kerala title and has now become Miss Universe India 2026.
Her next chapter will take her from Jaipur to Puerto Rico, where she will compete on behalf of India at the 75th Miss Universe pageant in November.
At just 19, Kaziah now has the opportunity to turn her experience on India’s pageant circuit into an international campaign—and represent the country on one of the world’s most recognised beauty-pageant stages.
