Miss Universe Nepal (MUN) (Nepali: मिस युनिभर्स नेपाल) is a beauty pageant competition that selects the country representative for Miss Universe. The current Miss Universe Nepal is Prayashna Gurung from Bhairahawa.
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 further 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 (walk video and introductory note submitted with application form). 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. Titleholders
Editions Miss Universe Nepal Runners up Venue Host cityFirstSecondThirdFourth2026Prayashna Gurung Bhairahawa, / London, Binita Oli Jhapa, Ambika Rana Pokhara, / Uttar Pradesh, Shraddha Adhikari Kavreplanchowk, Aditi Shrestha Sindhuli, The SoalteeKathmandu, 2025Sanya Adhikari Kathmandu, / Bangkok, Aarohi Basnet Kathmandu, Sonalisa Dhungana Bagmati, / Toronto, Alina Yary Banke, / Sydney, Jyoti Thapa Lalitpur, Royal Tulip KathmanduGwarko, Lalitpur, 2024Sampada Ghimire Bhaktapur, Smriti Singh Lalitpur, Akshita Chhetri Kathmandu, / Dubai, Karren Eva Murray Lalitpur, Sujal Bam Doti, Godavari Sunrise Convention CenterLalitpur2023Jane Dipika Garrett Kathmandu, / New York, Garima Ghimire Biratnagar, Buddhisara Sunar Adelaide, / Tanahun, Shitashma PokharelLalitpur, Abhilasha LamsalLalitpur, 2022Sophiya Bhujel Kathmandu, Bipana Adhikari (Resigned) Sydney, / Dhading, Ashma KC (Successor) Adelaide, / Kathmandu, Sefina JoshiKathmandu, Monalisha ParajuliUdayapur, Jasmine KhadkaKathmandu, Hotel Yak & Yeti Kathmandu2021Sujita Basnet Maryland, / Kathmandu, Nina Kant MandalMoscow, / Saptari, Rakchya UpretiKathmandu, Pratikshya Mahara ChhetriRolpa, Keshu KhadkaLalitpur, 2020Anshika Sharma Sydney, / Jhapa, Sujita BasnetMaryland, / Kathmandu, Nina Kant MandalMoscow, / Saptari, Dikta ThapaChandragiri, Nancy KhadkaBiratnagar, / California, Kathmandu Marriott Hotel2019Pradeepta Adhikari Kathmandu, Anushka Shrestha Kathmandu, Riya Basnet Kathmandu, Meera Kakshapati Bhaktapur, Rose Lama Jorpati, Laboratory HS School2018Manita Devkota Gorkha, / Minnesota, Shrinkhala Khatiwada Hetauda, Priya Sigdel Kathmandu, Ronali Amatya Kathmandu, Mahima Singh Kathmandu, Hotel Annapurna2017Nagma Shrestha Kathmandu, Nikita Chandak Morang, Rojina Shrestha Kathmandu, Niti Shah Ghorahi, Sahara Basnet Lalitpur,
Nepal at Miss Universe Year Representative's Name District Title Placement Special Awards2026 Prayashna GurungRupandehiMiss Universe Nepal 2026TBA2025Sanya AdhikariKathmanduMiss Universe Nepal 2025Unplaced 2024 Sampada GhimireBhaktapurMiss Universe Nepal 2024 Unplaced 2023Jane Dipika GarrettKathmanduMiss Universe Nepal 2023 Top 20 2022Sophiya BhujelKathmanduMiss Universe Nepal 2022 Unplaced 2021Sujita BasnetKathmanduMiss Universe Nepal 2021Unplaced2020Anshika SharmaJhapaMiss Universe Nepal 2020Unplaced2019Pradeepta AdhikariKathmanduMiss Nepal Universe 2019Unplaced2018Manita DevkotaGorkhaMiss Nepal Universe 2018 Top 10 2017Nagma ShresthaKathmanduMiss Nepal Universe 2017Unplaced
External Links Official Platforms,
Tiktok
References