The campus of KIIT Bhubaneswar, Odisha, sparkled with glamour on Friday night as it hosted the Times Group’s61stFemina Miss India. The much-anticipated finale of KIIT Bhubaneswar presents the 61st Femina Miss India, co-powered by Rajnigandha Pearls, sawSadhvi Sailfrom Goa being crowned Femina Miss India World 2026. She will go on to represent India at the Miss World contest.Rajnandini Pawarfrom Maharashtra was declared the Femina Miss India 2026 1st Runner-Up, whileSree Advaitafrom Jammu and Kashmir took home the title of Femina Miss India 2026 2nd Runner-Up.
(L-R) Sadhvi Sail (centre) of Goa was crowned Femina Miss India World 2026, while Rajnandini Pawar (right) of Maharashtra and Sree Advaita (left) of Jammu and Kashmir were named first and second runners-up respectively.
Vineet Jain, Managing Director, Times Group, addressed the audience and said, "For over six decades, Femina Miss India has stood for one powerful idea: empowering young Indian women to achieve their true potential and shape their own journeys. This platform has been a launchpad for women who have gone on to make their mark across multiple industries, including cinema, media, entrepreneurship, public service, and global advocacy."
He added, "Over the years, the pageant has earned India global recognition through winners like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra, Dia Mirza, Manushi Chhillar and many others, who continue to inspire millions of women. That is the true legacy of Femina Miss India. And tonight, that legacy feels even more meaningful here in Bhubaneswar. Hosting this grand finale at KIIT and KISS is deeply significant, because these institutions reflect the very values we believe in — access to opportunity, the power of education, and the importance of empowering young people, especially young women, to rise and lead."
The evening unfolded as a spectacular blend of fashion, music and high-energy performances, elevating the grand finale into a complete entertainment experience. Actor Ishaan Khatter lit the stage on fire with an electrifying performance that had the audience asking for more. Singer Jubin Nautiyal delivered a stirring set, his melodies adding a touch of emotion to a night of dreams and victories. A captivating dance act by Lauren Gottlieb further amped up the spectacle with power-packed choreography and stage presence.
The evening was hosted by Maniesh Paul, Sarah Jane Dias and Sreetama Basu, who brought a seamless blend of glamour and spontaneity to the grand stage.
Opening the showcase, Vishwa Sutra: Weaves of India for the World, spearheaded by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles, and designed by Vaishali S, saw the 30 state winners present a powerful tribute to India’s rich handloom heritage. Traditional weaves from across 30 states were reimagined into global silhouettes inspired by 30 countries, seamlessly blending regional identity with modern design sensibilities in a refined, fashion-forward narrative.
The finale designer round witnessed an elegant showcase by Vazaneh by Prbhjiit Maniktala. The collection featured a refined interplay of fluid silhouettes and structured forms, brought to life through light, sheer layers. Intricate embroidery, adorned with crystals and pearls, added depth and a subtle glow to each ensemble.
The evening was judged by an esteemed panel that included veteran actor Zeenat Aman, filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar, choreographer and actor Terence Lewis, Femina Miss India 2002 and actor Neha Dhupia, Miss Universe 2001 runner-up and actor Celina Jaitly, actor Simran, music composer and singer Amaal Mallik, two-time Olympian and 100m national record holder Dutee Chand, and Miss Diva 2019 and actor Vartika Singh, bringing together voices from across industries.
Special honours were also announced during the evening, with Femina Miss India Sikkim 2026 Passang Deekila Sherpa winning the Times Miss Multimedia title. Under the Beauty With a Purpose initiative, the Miss India Organisation, in collaboration with Ketto, a crowdsourcing platform, raised ₹66,17,295 to support children lacking access to medical aid and education. Femina Miss India Gujarat 2026 Parinaz Cooper, who raised close to 23,61,160, was the highest individual contributor and won the Times Miss Beauty With a Purpose title.
Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now
