Prayasna Gurung Crowned Miss Universe Nepal 2026, Binita Oli Wins Miss Earth Nepal
Nepal has two new beauty queens ready for the international stage. Prayasna Gurung has been crowned Miss Universe Nepal 2026, while Binita Oli of Jhapa has taken home the Miss Earth Nepal 2026 title following a glamorous grand finale in Kathmandu.
The Miss Universe Nepal 2026 grand finale brought together fashion, confidence, advocacy and pageantry at The Soaltee Kathmandu, where 14 finalists competed for the major national titles.
The finalists had emerged from a pool of 110 participants from across Nepal and beyond, making their way through different stages of the competition before reaching the finale.
At the end of the evening, 24-year-old Prayasna Gurung was announced as Miss Universe Nepal 2026, earning the opportunity to carry Nepal’s flag to the 75th Miss Universe competition in Puerto Rico.
From Women’s Empowerment to the Crown: Prayasna Gurung Wins Miss Universe Nepal
Prayasna Gurung: A Crown With a Purpose
Based in the United Kingdom, Prayasna entered the competition with women’s empowerment at the centre of her pageant journey.
Her advocacy is connected to The Dignity Project, an initiative designed to help Nepali women develop practical skills through free online workshops. The project covers areas including makeup, digital marketing, financial literacy and entrepreneurship.
Prayasna has spoken about using the pageant platform to amplify her work around women’s empowerment, giving her new crown a purpose that extends beyond the stage.
Her international assignment will now take her to Puerto Rico for Miss Universe 2026.
The 2026 international competition is a milestone edition for Miss Universe, marking its 75th anniversary. The grand finale is scheduled for November 24, 2026, at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot in San Juan.
Binita Oli won Miss Earth Nepal 2026 and will represent Nepal in the Philippines.
Binita Oli Takes the Miss Earth Nepal Crown
The evening also marked a new chapter for Binita Oli, 27, from Jhapa, who was crowned Miss Earth Nepal 2026.
Before stepping onto the pageant stage, Binita spent several years working internationally as cabin crew with Kuwait Airways. She later returned to Nepal and is currently studying psychology.
Her ambitions go beyond pageantry. Binita hopes to pursue a future as a therapist and social advocate, combining her interest in psychology with work that can make a difference in people’s lives.
She will now represent Nepal at Miss Earth 2026 in the Philippines, joining international delegates at a pageant known for placing environmental awareness and advocacy at the centre of its platform.
Bollywood actress and former beauty queen Celina Jaitly
Celina Jaitly Joins the Judging Panel
Adding international pageant glamour to the finale was Bollywood actress and former beauty queen Celina Jaitly, who served among the principal judges alongside model Monika Bishwokarma.
Jaitly has her own strong connection with the Miss Universe stage. She won Femina Miss India Universe 2001 and later represented India at Miss Universe 2001, where she finished as fourth runner-up.
Sangita Puri Named Universal Woman Nepal
Sangita Puri Named Universal Woman Nepal
Another title announced during the event went to Sangita Puri, who was named Universal Woman Nepal.
Puri is also a director of Global Glamour Venture, the organisation behind Miss Universe Nepal.
The 2026 national competition was presented under the theme “Be You. Be Beautiful.”, with organisers placing emphasis on authenticity, confidence, leadership and social advocacy.
With Prayasna Gurung and Binita Oli now stepping into their respective roles, Nepal’s pageant spotlight shifts from Kathmandu to the international stage — where both women will carry not only national titles, but also the causes and personal journeys that shaped their paths to the crown.
