Miss Universe Nepal

{{short description|National beauty pageant competition in Nepal}}

{{for-multi|the most recent competition|Miss Universe Nepal 2024}}

{{Infobox organization

| name = Miss Universe Nepal

| image =

| logo_size = 100px

| caption = Miss Universe Nepal Logo

| formation = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2017}}

| type = Beauty pageant
TV Reality Series

| headquarters = Kathmandu

| location =

| membership = Miss Universe

| language = {{Hlist|Nepali|English}}

| leader_title = National Director

| leader_name = Sangita Puri
(2024-present)

Nagma Shrestha
(2020-2023)
Gopal Kakshapati
(2017-2019)

| leader_title2 =

| leader_name2 =

| leader_title3 =

| leader_name3 =

| parent_organization = The Hidden Treasure (2017-2019)
CG Corp Global
(2020)

Miss Vibhaa
(2020-2023)

Global Glamour Venture (2024-present)

| website = https://missuniversenepalglobalglamour.com/

}}

Miss Universe Nepal (MUN) (Nepali: मिस युनिभर्स नेपाल) is a beauty pageant competition, organized by Global Glamour Venture.{{Cite web |last=Maharjan |first=Satish |title=Exclusive Rights With Global Glamour Venture |url=https://missuniversenepalglobalglamour.com/ |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=Global Glamour Venture |language=en}} The contest selects the country representative for Miss Universe.{{Cite web|title=Miss Universe Official Website |url=https://www.missuniverse.com/|access-date=2020-08-26|website=Miss Universe|language=en-us}} The current Miss Universe Nepal is Sampada Ghimire from Bhaktapur.

History

The Miss Universe Nepal officially began in 2017 when Nagma Shrestha was appointed as Miss Universe Nepal by Miss Nepal- The Hidden Treasure.{{Cite web|title=Nagma Shrestha to represent Nepal at Miss Universe 2017|url=https://kathmandupost.com/art-entertainment/2017/09/24/nagma-shrestha-to-represent-nepal-at-miss-universe-2017|access-date=2020-10-27|website=kathmandupost.com|language=English}} The contest was conducted by The Hidden Treasure Miss Nepal and crowned Manita Devkota in 2018 and Pradeepta Adhikari in 2019.{{Cite web |title=Miss Nepal - The Hidden Treasure |url=https://missnepal.com.np/ |access-date=2024-06-02 |website=missnepal.com.np}} In 2020, CG Corp Global (led by Rahul Chaudhary) and Miss Vibhaa- Umanga Creation (led by Uddhab Adhikari), jointly became the license-holders of the pageant and assigned Nagma Shrestha as national director.{{Cite web|last=Magazine|first=New Spolight|title=Miss Universe Nepal New Franchise Announced|url=https://www.spotlightnepal.com/2020/06/14/miss-universe-nepal-new-franchise-announced/|access-date=2020-08-26|website=SpotlightNepal|language=en}}{{Cite web |title=2023 National Directors |url=https://www.missuniverse.com/2023-national-directors |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=Miss Universe |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=16 participants to contest for Miss Universe Nepal 2020 title |url=https://english.ratopati.com/story/22254 |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=english.ratopati.com |language=Nepali}} However, from 2021, only Miss Vibhaa acquired the pageant's license.{{Cite web |title=Sujita Basnet crowned ‘Miss Universe Nepal’ 2021 |url=https://nepalnews.com/s/entertainment-lifestyle/sujita-basnet-crowned-miss-universe-nepal-2021/ |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=Nepal News |language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Miss Universe Nepal 2020 attempts to change the notion of beauty|url=https://kathmandupost.com/art-culture/2020/07/07/miss-universe-nepal-2020-attempts-to-change-the-notion-of-beauty|access-date=2020-08-26|website=kathmandupost.com|language=English}} Title holders from 2020 to 2023 are Anshika Sharma, Sujita Basnet, Sophiya Bhujel and Jane Dipika Garett respectively.{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/mun_missuniversenepal/?hl=en |access-date=2024-06-02 |website=www.instagram.com}}

Miss Nepal 2018 Manita Devkota got first ever placement for Nepal at Miss Universe 2018 as she entered the Top 10 finalists.{{Cite web |title=Manita makes it to top 10 of Miss Universe |url=https://kathmandupost.com/art-entertainment/2018/12/18/manita-makes-it-to-top-10 |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=kathmandupost.com |language=English}} Similarly, Jane Dipika Garrett got placed at Top 20 of Miss Universe 2023.{{Cite news |date=December 2, 2023 |author=Anneta Konstantinides |title=What it was like to be the first plus-sized woman at Miss Universe |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/meet-jane-garrett-who-made-history-at-miss-universe-2023-12 |access-date=2024-05-27 |work=Business Insider |language=en-US}} Garrett also got recognition as the first plus size model to enter Miss Universe Semi Finals.{{Cite web |title=As The Contest's First Plus Size Participant, Miss Nepal 2023 Jane Dipika Garrett Makes A Gorgeous Case For Inclusivity |url=https://www.ndtv.com/lifestyle/miss-universe-2023s-miss-nepal-jane-dipika-garrett-makes-a-gorgeous-case-for-inclusivity-as-the-contests-first-plus-size-participant-4589431 |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=NDTV.com}}

In early 2024, Global Glamour Venture acquired the license for next editions of Miss Universe Nepal, with Sangita Puri as national director.{{Cite web |last=Republica |title=Application opens for Miss Universe Nepal 2024 |url=http://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/155361/ |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=My City |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C9Pio1LMeT8/?igsh=ZnN4aWRwaTk0dmV4 |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=www.instagram.com}}

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.{{Cite web |title=‘मिस युनिभर्स नेपाल’को आवेदन खुला, टिभी सिरिजको रुपमा पनि आउने |url=https://www.onlinekhabar.com/2025/05/1690340/applications-for-miss-universe-nepal-open-will-also-be-available-as-a-tv-series |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=Online Khabar |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=मिस युनिभर्स नेपाल २०२५ को आवेदन खुला |url=https://equitynepal.com/2025/05/28/32577/ |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=equitynepal.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Registration opens for Miss Universe Nepal 2025 |url=https://english.makalukhabar.com/2025/05/256721/ |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=English.MakaluKhabar.com |language=en-US}}

=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:{{Cite web |last=Maharjan (satish.maharjan55@gmail.com) |first=Satish |title=Global Glamour Venture |url=https://missuniversenepalglobalglamour.com/ |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=Global Glamour Venture |language=en}}

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 {{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Es259YKeHM |title=Miss Universe Nepal 2022 {{!}} Task 3 {{!}} Q&A Round Day 1 |date=2022-07-23 |last=Umanga Creation |access-date=2024-07-08 |via=YouTube}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNN1x-MCGiU |title=Miss Universe Nepal 2023 {{!}} Task 2 {{!}} Swimsuit Round |date=2023-08-10 |last=Umanga Creation |access-date=2024-07-08 |via=YouTube}}

=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.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVDlEO0AfYo |title=Miss Universe Nepal 2022 Preliminary Interview 🌟👑 #MissUniverseNepal #PageantInterview |date=2022-08-22 |last=Umanga Creation |access-date=2024-07-08 |via=YouTube}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJajnqZkSEs |title=Miss Universe Nepal 2022 Press Presentation |date=2022-08-14 |last=Umanga Creation |access-date=2024-07-08 |via=YouTube}}

=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.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsGanIgw-kI |title=Miss Universe Nepal 2023 - Grand Finale {{!}} Kantipur TV HD LIVE |date=2023-09-09 |last=Kantipur TV HD |access-date=2024-07-08 |via=YouTube}}

Crowns

The RB Diamond Crown: This crown was used to award the winners of Miss Nepal- The Hidden Treasure (Miss Universe Nepal 2017-2019). The crown features the Sun, the Moon and the Stars as the emblem of the universe and the symbols of eternity. The crown features triangular framework symbolizing the Himalayas of Nepal. This diamond-studded crown based on gold, crafted by RB Diamonds{{Cite web |title=Nagma Shrestha - Miss Universe Nepal crown features the sun, the moon and the stars which signifies Eternity. 🇳🇵 My favourite for Miss Universe Nepal... well that is for destiny to determine. If its your year, its your year! One of the most valuable lesson pageantry had taught me is that, the moment you start comparing yourself with those around you, you lose. You lose because you start losing your essence. Why should you care if the person standing next to you is beautiful if you are beautiful too? or even better why should you be intimidated by someone who has a quality that you do not have when you have a quality that person does not have as well? Everybody is unique and nobody has it all. The most important thing is that you feel enough regardless of what others think of you. Remember that you are special. Nobody is better at being you than yourself and a copy will never be authentic than its original. Be you do you. The rest does not matter. P.S.I will forever embrace pageant culture. Tonight is my graduation night 🇳🇵😊 #missuniversenepal2017 #missearthnepal2012 #worldmissuniversity2016 #missecouniverse2016 #thecollegeambassador2008 #misscollege2009 #missnepal2012 {{!}} Facebook |url=https://te-in.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1737411832987429&set=a.399503160111643 |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=te-in.facebook.com |language=te}}
Brave Bold Beautiful Crown: This crown was used to award the winner of Miss Vibhaa 2020 (Miss Universe Nepal 2020). The crown focuses on three gems of Sapphire, Ruby and Diamond that glorify the bravery, boldness and beauty of Nepali women. This crown was crafted by Apala Jewels.{{Cite web |title=Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/officialroutineofnepalbanda/posts/wowmiss-universe-nepal-has-unveiled-the-diamond-studded-crown-worth-rs-15-lakhs-/4505326432833448/ |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=www.facebook.com}}
The Mystical Crown: This crown was used to award the winners of "Miss Vibhaa 2021-2023"(Miss Universe Nepal 2021-2023). The crown is inspired form Newari Architecture with ideas from worship places of Lord Bhairava. The crown is centered around Lord Buddha's gazing eyes, believed to be blessing the people of the world. This diamond studded crown based on white gold was crafted by Shree Balaji Diamonds.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40gnCn9bfUg |title=Miss Universe Nepal 2022 - The Crown Awaits You |date=2022-05-10 |last=Shree Balaji Diamond SBD |access-date=2024-06-01 |via=YouTube}}
Star of The Universe: This crown is used to award the winner of Miss Universe Nepal (2024-present). The crown features a star that signifies eternity and glory of Miss Universe. The crown is an exquisite white gold creation with diamonds and vibrant gemstones. Inspired by the nightsky and Nepal's heritage, it symbolizes brilliance and empowerment.{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C_actiFMc6q/?igsh=MWRhZmo2dzgxNHRvZA== |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=www.instagram.com}}

Titleholders

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 85%;" ! rowspan="2" width="1%" \| Editions ! rowspan="2" width="202" \| Miss Universe Nepal ! colspan="4" width="900" \| Runners up ! rowspan="2" \|Entrants ! rowspan="2" width="14%" \| Venue ! rowspan="2" width="10%" \| Host city ! rowspan="2" \|Organizer
width="190" \|First !width="170" \|Second !width="180" \|Third !width="260" \|Fourth
align="center" \|2024 \|Sampada Ghimire Bhaktapur \|Smriti Singh Lalitpur \|Akshita Chhetri Kathmandu / United Arab Emirates \|Karren Eva Murray Lalitpur \|Sujal Bam Doti \|60 \| rowspan="2" \|Godavari Sunrise Convention Center \| rowspan="2" \|Lalitpur \|Global Glamour Venture
style="text-align:center;" \|2023 \|Jane Dipika Garrett{{Cite web\|date=9 September 2023\|title=Breaking All Beauty Pageant Stereotypes, Jane Dipika Garrett Wins Miss Universe Nepal 2023\|url=https://neostuffs.com/2023/09/09/breaking-all-beauty-pageant-stereotypes-jane-dipika-garrett-wins-miss-universe-nepal-2023/\|access-date=2022-09-09\|website=NeoStuffs}} Kathmandu \|Garima Ghimire Biratnagar \|Buddhisara Sunar Adelaide, Australia / Tanahun \|Shitashma Pokharel Lalitpur \|Abhilasha Lamsal Lalitpur \|37 \| rowspan="3" \|Miss Vibhaa
style="text-align:center;" \|2022 \|Sophiya Bhujel{{Cite web\|url=http://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/mycity/amp/sophiya-bhujel-wins-the-title-of-miss-universe-nepal-2022\|title=Sophiya Bhujel wins the title of Miss Universe Nepal 2022\|access-date=5 December 2022\|website=República}} Kathmandu \|Bipana Adhikari (Resigned) Sydney, Australia / Dhading Ashma KC (Successor) Adelaide, Australia / Kathmandu \|Sefina Joshi Kathmandu \|Monalisha Parajuli Udayapur \|Jasmine Khadka Kathmandu \|61 \| rowspan="2" \|Hotel Yak & Yeti \| rowspan="6" \| Kathmandu
style="text-align:center;" \|2021 \|Sujita Basnet{{cite web\|url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/entertainment/sujita-basnet-crowned-miss-universe-nepal-2021\|title=Sujita Basnet crowned Miss Universe Nepal 2021\|publisher=The Himalayan Times\|access-date=1 July 2022}} Maryland, USA / Kathmandu \|Nina Kant Mandal Moscow, Russia / Saptari \|Rakchya Upreti Kathmandu \|Pratikshya Mahara Chhetri Rolpa \|Keshu Khadka Lalitpur \|50
style="text-align:center;" \|2020 \|Anshika Sharma{{cite web\|url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/anshika-sharma-crowned-miss-universe-nepal-2020\|title=Anshika Sharma crowned Miss Universe Nepal 2020\|publisher=The Himalayan Times\|access-date=1 July 2022}} Sydney, Australia / Jhapa \|Sujita Basnet Maryland, USA / Kathmandu \|Nina Kant Mandal Moscow, Russia / Saptari \|Dikta Thapa Chandragiri \|Nancy Khadka Biratnagar / California, USA \|18 \|Kathmandu Marriott Hotel \|CG Corp & Miss Vibhaa
style="text-align: center;" \|2019 \|Pradeepta Adhikari Kathmandu \|Anushka Shrestha Kathmandu \|Riya Basnet Kathmandu \|Meera Kakshapati Bhaktapur \|Rose Lama Jorpati \|26 \|Laboratory HS School \| rowspan="3" \|The Hidden Treasure
style="text-align: center;" \|2018 \|Manita Devkota{{Cite web \|last=Support \|date=2019-01-07 \|title=Manita Devkota {{!}} Manita Devkota Miss Universe Nepal 2018 \|url=https://sharinaworld.com/manita-devkota/ \|access-date=2024-05-27 \|website=Sharina World \|language=en-US}} Gorkha \|Shrinkhala Khatiwada Hetauda \|Priya Sigdel Kathmandu \|Ronali Amatya Kathmandu \|Mahima Singh Kathmandu \|25 \| rowspan="2" \|Hotel Annapurna
style="text-align: center;" \|2017 \|Nagma Shrestha{{Cite web \|title=Nagma Shrestha to represent Nepal at Miss Universe 2017 \|url=https://kathmandupost.com/art-entertainment/2017/09/24/nagma-shrestha-to-represent-nepal-at-miss-universe-2017 \|access-date=2024-05-27 \|website=kathmandupost.com \|language=English}} Kathmandu \|Nikita Chandak Morang \|Rojina Shrestha Kathmandu \|Niti Shah Ghorahi \|Sahara Basnet Lalitpur \|20

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 85%;"

! rowspan="2" width="1%" | Editions

! rowspan="2" width="202" | Miss Universe Nepal

! colspan="4" width="900" | Runners up

! rowspan="2" |Entrants

! rowspan="2" width="14%" | Venue

! rowspan="2" width="10%" | Host city

! rowspan="2" |Organizer

width="190" |First

!width="170" |Second

!width="180" |Third

!width="260" |Fourth

align="center"

|2024

|Sampada Ghimire
Bhaktapur

|Smriti Singh
Lalitpur

|Akshita Chhetri
Kathmandu / United Arab Emirates

|Karren Eva Murray
Lalitpur

|Sujal Bam
Doti

|60

| rowspan="2" |Godavari Sunrise Convention Center

| rowspan="2" |Lalitpur

|Global Glamour Venture

style="text-align:center;"

|2023

|Jane Dipika Garrett{{Cite web|date=9 September 2023|title=Breaking All Beauty Pageant Stereotypes, Jane Dipika Garrett Wins Miss Universe Nepal 2023|url=https://neostuffs.com/2023/09/09/breaking-all-beauty-pageant-stereotypes-jane-dipika-garrett-wins-miss-universe-nepal-2023/|access-date=2022-09-09|website=NeoStuffs}}
Kathmandu

|Garima Ghimire
Biratnagar

|Buddhisara Sunar
Adelaide, Australia / Tanahun

|Shitashma Pokharel
Lalitpur

|Abhilasha Lamsal
Lalitpur

|37

| rowspan="3" |Miss Vibhaa

style="text-align:center;"

|2022

|Sophiya Bhujel{{Cite web|url=http://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/mycity/amp/sophiya-bhujel-wins-the-title-of-miss-universe-nepal-2022|title=Sophiya Bhujel wins the title of Miss Universe Nepal 2022|access-date=5 December 2022|website=República}}
Kathmandu

|Bipana Adhikari (Resigned)
Sydney, Australia / Dhading

Ashma KC (Successor)
Adelaide, Australia / Kathmandu

|Sefina Joshi
Kathmandu

|Monalisha Parajuli
Udayapur

|Jasmine Khadka
Kathmandu

|61

| rowspan="2" |Hotel Yak & Yeti

| rowspan="6" | Kathmandu

style="text-align:center;"

|2021

|Sujita Basnet{{cite web|url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/entertainment/sujita-basnet-crowned-miss-universe-nepal-2021|title=Sujita Basnet crowned Miss Universe Nepal 2021|publisher=The Himalayan Times|access-date=1 July 2022}}
Maryland, USA / Kathmandu

|Nina Kant Mandal
Moscow, Russia / Saptari

|Rakchya Upreti
Kathmandu

|Pratikshya Mahara Chhetri
Rolpa

|Keshu Khadka
Lalitpur

|50

style="text-align:center;"

|2020

|Anshika Sharma{{cite web|url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/anshika-sharma-crowned-miss-universe-nepal-2020|title=Anshika Sharma crowned Miss Universe Nepal 2020|publisher=The Himalayan Times|access-date=1 July 2022}}
Sydney, Australia / Jhapa

|Sujita Basnet
Maryland, USA / Kathmandu

|Nina Kant Mandal
Moscow, Russia / Saptari

|Dikta Thapa
Chandragiri

|Nancy Khadka
Biratnagar / California, USA

|18

|Kathmandu Marriott Hotel

|CG Corp & Miss Vibhaa

style="text-align: center;"

|2019

|Pradeepta Adhikari Kathmandu

|Anushka Shrestha Kathmandu

|Riya Basnet Kathmandu

|Meera Kakshapati Bhaktapur

|Rose Lama

Jorpati

|26

|Laboratory HS School

| rowspan="3" |The Hidden Treasure

style="text-align: center;"

|2018

|Manita Devkota{{Cite web |last=Support |date=2019-01-07 |title=Manita Devkota {{!}} Manita Devkota Miss Universe Nepal 2018 |url=https://sharinaworld.com/manita-devkota/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Sharina World |language=en-US}} Gorkha

|Shrinkhala Khatiwada Hetauda

|Priya Sigdel

Kathmandu

|Ronali Amatya Kathmandu

|Mahima Singh Kathmandu

|25

| rowspan="2" |Hotel Annapurna

style="text-align: center;"

|2017

|Nagma Shrestha{{Cite web |title=Nagma Shrestha to represent Nepal at Miss Universe 2017 |url=https://kathmandupost.com/art-entertainment/2017/09/24/nagma-shrestha-to-represent-nepal-at-miss-universe-2017 |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=kathmandupost.com |language=English}} Kathmandu

|Nikita Chandak Morang

Kathmandu

Lalitpur

|20