At the age of nineteen, Kaziah Liz Mejo has achieved a significant milestone by winning the Miss Universe India 2026 title during a grand finale held in Jaipur on August 23. Competing against fifty-two finalists, she secured the prestigious crown, marking another accomplishment in her burgeoning career. The victory grants Kaziah the opportunity to represent India at the upcoming 75th Miss Universe pageant scheduled for November in Puerto Rico.

Background and Early Life of Kaziah

Kaziah hails from Mavelikkara in Kerala, where she is currently a law student and active model. Her journey in the pageantry world began early, with notable successes in various competitions. She first gained recognition at seventeen by winning the Miss Teen Diva 2024 title. Following this achievement, she went on to represent India at the Miss Teen International 2025 pageant, where she claimed the position of first runner-up. Earlier this year, she made headlines by winning the Miss Universe Kerala 2026 title, becoming the youngest person to achieve this honour in the state.

Although rooted in Kerala, Kaziah spent a substantial part of her childhood in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Her education took place at various institutions, including Emirates National School, St Joseph’s School, and Abu Dhabi Indian School. This diverse upbringing has provided her with a blend of cultural perspectives that she brings to her public persona.

Beyond her achievements in pageantry, Kaziah possesses a rich background in performing arts, having trained in classical dance for twelve years. She is also a talented singer and musician, proficient in playing both the drums and violin. Kaziah has also ventured into public speaking and acting, making her film debut in the Malayalam movie Shylock.

Highlights of the Miss Universe India 2026 Finale

The finale for Miss Universe India 2026 saw Kaziah rise above a competitive field of fifty-two participants. Tamil Nadu’s Vaishnavi Gannesh was declared the first runner-up, while Anushri Satavlekar from Gujarat took the second runner-up position and was also awarded the title of Miss International India 2026. The judging panel included esteemed personalities such as former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen, alongside previous winners of Miss Universe India, Urvashi Rautela and Celina Jaitley.

Kaziah’s recent win not only solidifies her status in the modelling industry but also prepares her for the international stage. The upcoming Miss Universe pageant represents Kaziah’s most significant challenge to date, as she prepares to compete with contestants from diverse backgrounds worldwide, showcasing her talent and dedication.

This triumph signals a remarkable journey for someone who embarked on her pageantry venture as a teenager. Kaziah’s experiences through Miss Teen Diva, Miss Teen International, and Miss Universe Kerala have ushered her into this next significant chapter as Miss Universe India.

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