Rajasthan’s Manika Vishwakarma has been crowned Miss Universe India 2025 and will go on to represent the country at the 74th Miss Universe pageant in Thailand later this year.
The grand finale, held in Jaipur on August 18, 2025, saw the 22-year-old being crowned by outgoing titleholder Rhea Singha.
Expressing her emotions after the win, Manika told ANI, “This feeling is so amazing. The journey has been amazing. I want to thank my mentors, my teachers, my parents, my friends, and my family for everything. I aim to represent India at its finest and bring the crown home.”
Originally from Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, Manika recalled her journey from her hometown to Delhi for preparations. “It wasn’t a struggle, but a journey of preparation. We need to nurture self-confidence and courage. Everyone has played a significant role, and I am thankful to all who supported me and helped shape my talent,” she said.
Manika, who earlier won the title of Miss Universe Rajasthan 2024, also reflected on the impact of beauty pageants. “Pageantry is not just a field; it’s a world that shapes your character. It gives you a lifetime opportunity to inspire others, and I am grateful to have stepped into it,” she added.
In a previous Instagram post, she described her transition from Miss Universe Rajasthan to Miss Universe India finalist as “a moment of deep transition, of letting go and reaching forward at once… a decision anchored in faith, sharpened by focus, and driven by a clear vision of who I am becoming.”
Actor Urvashi Rautela, who served on the jury and marked her 10th year with the pageant, praised Manika’s achievement. “The competition was very tough, but we have our winner. She will surely make India proud at Miss Universe,” Rautela said.
The finale also saw other winners being crowned: Tanya Sharma (Uttar Pradesh) as first runner-up, Mehak Dhingra (Haryana) as second runner-up, and Amishi Kaushik (Haryana) as third runner-up.