Miss Universe Nepal


Miss Universe Nepal is a beauty pageant competition that selects the country representative for Miss Universe. The current Miss Universe Nepal is Sanya Adhikari from Kathmandu.

History

The Miss Universe Nepal officially began in 2017 when Nagma Shrestha was appointed as Miss Universe Nepal by The Hidden Treasure, which also crowned Manita Devkota in 2018 and Pradeepta Adhikari in 2019. Manita Devkota got first ever placement for Nepal at Miss Universe 2018 as she entered the Top 10 finalists.
In 2020, Umanga Creation, became the license holder of the pageant and assigned Nagma Shrestha as national director. Title holders from 2020 to 2023 are Anshika Sharma, Sujita Basnet, Sophiya Bhujel and Jane Dipika Garett respectively. Jane Dipika Garrett got placed at Top 20 of Miss Universe 2023, and also got recognition as the first plus size model to enter Miss Universe Semi Finals.
In early 2024, Global Glamour Venture acquired the license for next editions of Miss Universe Nepal, with Sangita Puri as national director.

Pageant Format

As of 2025, the pageant is organized in a Television Reality Series format, with the following basic rounds, which can be altered according to the requirements of international pageant.

Selection of Participants

Registrations are generally announced about a month prior to the pageant activities. The mode of registrations are virtual done by apps like "Khalti" and Miss Universe Nepal website.
Eligibility Criteria:
  • Applicant must be Nepali Citizen/ Non-Resident Nepali aged 18 or above who identifies as a woman.
  • No height/weight criteria and no criteria on other physical measurements.
  • Competition is open to all adult women; married, unmarried or divorced.
  • Pregnant women, mother of children can participate in the competition as per the guidelines of Miss Universe.
  • Minimum Academic qualification: 10+2/Equivalent or above.

Auditions Round

After the registrations, 60 qualifiers are selected based on their credentials. The top 60 qualifiers perform in catwalk round, Q/A round at physical auditions which is telecasted on sponsored TV Channel. Top scorers are advanced to Top 35 by judges' score

Preliminary Competition

The Top 35 is revealed to public in a televised 'Sash Ceremony'. Then they go to a month long grooming session where they are trained on walk, etiquette, stage presence, artistry, communication and social works. Prior to the grand finals, Top 35 performs in a live-streamed preliminary swimsuit, advocacy presentation round and closed door interviews.

The Grand Finale

At the grand finale, Top 15 is selected from Top 35 based on preliminary and closed door interviews. The contestant with best advocacy presentation and one highest voted contestant advances directly to Top 15 and the rest spots are fulfilled by judges' score. Then, top 15 perform in swimsuit round after which Top 10 is announced. Then, Top 10 performs in Evening Gowns after which the Top 5 is selected. Then, the Top 5 performs in Q/A round, based on which the winner of the contest is crowned as The Miss Universe Nepal.