19-year-old Kaziah is a law pupil and mannequin from Mavelikkara. She additionally represented India at Miss Teen Worldwide in 2025 and completed as the primary runner-up.
Who had been the judges?
The 2026 finale featured a high-profile jury led by Sushmita Sen, who grew to become India’s first Miss Universe in 1994. The panel additionally included former titleholders Celina Jaitly, Miss Universe India 2001, and Urvashi Rautela, Miss Universe India 2015.
Different members of the jury included Rhea Singha, Miss Universe India 2024; movie producer Pragya Kapoor; entrepreneur Visha Ladhia; Miss Allure 2025 Anna Blanco; and dermatologist Dr Stuti Khare Shukla, amongst others.
How the Miss Universe India 2026 finalists had been chosen
The grand finale was held at Zee Studios in Jaipur, bringing months of auditions, grooming periods and preliminary competitions to an finish. The 2026 version noticed round 8,000 to 9,000 aspirants thought of in the course of the choice course of, in line with organisers. The ultimate 52 contestants had been chosen by regional state pageants, last auditions, wildcard entries and an NRI class.
The finalists participated in a number of occasions and preliminary rounds earlier than arriving in Jaipur for the grand finale. These included a sashing ceremony, speech and introduction rounds, a gala occasion and a swimsuit competitors.
About Miss Universe India
Miss Universe India is the nationwide pageant that selects India’s consultant for the Miss Universe competitors. The Glamanand Group has organised the pageant since taking up the Indian franchise in 2024.
The primary version beneath the brand new franchise was held in 2024, when Rhea Singha gained the title. In 2025, Manika Vishwakarma was topped Miss Universe India. Each went on to signify India on the worldwide Miss Universe pageant.
With Kaziah Liz Mejo now successful the nationwide crown, all eyes will likely be on her as she prepares to signify India on the seventy fifth Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico in November, the place she’s going to compete in opposition to contestants from all over the world.
Forward of the worldwide competitors, Kaziah is predicted to endure additional preparation and grooming as she will get able to take the worldwide stage and compete for the Miss Universe crown.
