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Photograph: (Instagram: @mani_navrang)
Manika Vishwakarma from Rajasthan has been crowned the Miss Universe India 2025 winner. In the finale on August 18, Tanya Sharma from Uttar Pradesh was named the first runner-up, Mehak Dhingra from Haryana was the second runner-up, and Amishi Kaushik was the third runner-up. Manika will now represent India in the upcoming 74th Miss Universe pageant in Thailand this November.
The final question that crowned her the winner was, 'If you had to choose between advocating for women’s education or providing economic aid to poor families, what would you prioritise and why?' Manika chose women’s education, calling it the key to breaking cycles of poverty.
Manika said, “Educating women doesn’t just change one life, it transforms the future of families, communities, and nations.” Miss Universe India 2024 Rhea Singha crowned Manika the successor in the grand finale ceremony in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
Who Is Manika Vishwakarma?
Manika originally hails from Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan. A final-year student of political science and economics, she is currently residing in Delhi. Her talents are not just confined to a paegantary. She is also an accomplished painter who was honoured by the Lalit Kala Academy and the JJ School of Arts. Apart from her prowess in canvas, she is also a trained classical dancer and an ardent traveller.
Manika is an ardent advocate for neurodivergence awareness. She is the founder of Neuronova, an initiative dedicated to raising awareness about conditions like ADHD. She has also been a cadet in NCC.
Right after winning the Miss Universe India 2025 pageant, in an interview with the Press Trust of India, Manika said, “To be honest, we always speak about struggle. But I would like to talk about the support that I have received. I always had a supportive family and community, even though I came from a small town. I got a great education. My teachers played a role in it. So, rather than struggles, I would give credit to all those who have supported me in this journey. I am so grateful to all of you. It wouldn’t have been possible without you.”