India’s journey at Miss World 2026 came to an end in the Top 40, with Indian contestant Nikita Porwal missing out on a place among the Top 20 at the pageant’s finale in Nha Trang, Vietnam, on September 5.
Nikita, who won the Femina Miss India 2024 title, represented India at the 75th anniversary edition of the international beauty pageant. She was among 111 contestants who took part in the competition, which began on August 9.
Although she did not progress to the Top 20, her journey on the global stage was celebrated by the Femina Miss India organisation, which praised her for representing India with grace and conviction.
Nikita Porwal’s Miss World journey
Nikita’s participation went beyond the traditional beauty-pageant format, with contestants also taking part in the Beauty With a Purpose initiative.
For her project, MAATI, Nikita worked with tribal women and children on issues including education, healthcare, nutrition, hygiene, access to clean drinking water and economic opportunities.
Femina Miss India shared a message congratulating Nikita after her journey ended, saying she had represented India with pride and left a mark on the international stage.
Who is Nikita Porwal?
Born and raised in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, Nikita completed her schooling at Carmel Convent Senior Secondary School before graduating from Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda.
She developed an interest in performing arts and went on to work as a television anchor while also performing in more than 60 theatre productions.
Her modelling career eventually led her to the Femina Miss India competition, where she won the national title in 2024 and earned the opportunity to represent India at Miss World.
Miss World 2026 Top 20 finalists
The Top 20 contestants came from countries across Africa, Asia and Oceania, the Americas and Caribbean, and Europe.
Africa: Zimbabwe, Zambia, Senegal, Kenya and South Africa.
Asia and Oceania: Malaysia, Philippines, Cook Islands, China and Vietnam.
Americas and Caribbean: Peru, United States, Argentina, Dominican Republic and Brazil.
Europe: France, Spain, Belgium, Gibraltar and Ukraine.
While India did not make the Top 20, Nikita’s Top 40 finish marked the conclusion of her Miss World journey after representing the country through the pageant’s various challenges and purpose-driven initiatives.
