Who Is Kaziah Liz Mejo? Meet The 19-Year-Old Miss Universe India 2026

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On Sunday evening in Jaipur, a 19-year-old law student from Mavelikkara, Kerala, walked onto a stage as one of 52 finalists and walked off it wearing the Miss Universe India crown. Kaziah Liz Mejo was crowned Miss Universe India 2026 at the grand finale in Jaipur, with reigning titleholder Manika Vishwakarma passing the crown to her successor. The pageant, the third edition of Miss Universe India, was organised by the Glamanand Group at Zee Studios in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Photo Credit: Instagram: @the.pageantpress

For a teenager who once struggled to look at unfiltered pictures of herself, it is a full-circle moment.

A Kerala Girl Raised In Abu Dhabi

Mejo, born in 2007, grew up in Abu Dhabi, where she completed her schooling across Emirates National School, St Joseph's School and Abu Dhabi Indian School. She is the daughter of Mejo Abraham and Suja Mejo of Mavelikkara, and is currently pursuing law studies in Bengaluru while now based in Kochi. Her connection with the stage started young. She began classical dance training in Abu Dhabi in 2012 and went on to build skills across multiple creative fields.

From Miss Teen International To Miss Universe Kerala

Mejo began competing in pageants in 2024 and represented India at Miss Teen International 2025, where she finished as first runner-up. Months later, she stepped up a category, winning the state title that put her on the national radar. She was crowned Beena Kannan Couture Miss Universe Kerala 2026 in Kochi, beating out runners-up Malavika Rajendran Dev and Liz Jaymon Jacob.

Speaking to The New Indian Express after that state win, Mejo opened up about the insecurity she carried for years. She said she didn't have a single unfiltered picture of herself for years and was insecure about her looks and personality. She credited a "fake it till you make it" mindset for changing that, saying she convinced herself she was the most confident person in the room before walking onto stages.

Her interest in pageantry itself traces back to a single televised moment. Mejo said her interest in beauty pageants began after watching Harnaaz Sandhu win Miss Universe in 2021, which inspired her after India's long wait for the title.

The Road To Puerto Rico

A total of 52 contestants, 31 representing states and union territories, 20 wildcards and one NRI entrant, competed for the 2026 title, with activities held across Jaipur, Indore, Bengaluru and New Delhi. Mejo will now represent India at the 75th Miss Universe competition in Puerto Rico in November, moving from the national stage to an international one. Vaishnavi Gannesh was named first runner-up and Miss International India 2026 at the same finale.

For a teenager whose pageant journey began with a teen-title runner-up finish barely a year ago, the jump to India's Miss Universe crown and a shot at the global stage in Puerto Rico marks a rapid rise.