We can’t keep calm – the 72nd Miss World is being held in India, and it’s only the second time the country is hosting the global pageant. Representing India this year is Nandini Gupta, competing in the ongoing month-long Miss World 2025 contest in Hyderabad, Telangana. Out of 108 young contestants, Nandini has already made it to the Top 40.
Last year, the highly publicised of the pageant was held in , where was crowned Miss World. Tonight, she will pass on the crown to her successor.
Crowned Miss India 2023 after winning the Miss Rajasthan title, Gupta, 21, hails from a modest farming family in Kaithun, a small town near Kota. Her father is a farmer, her mother a homemaker, and she has a younger sister. “We also have a little Labrador, Banjo. I grew up playing in the fields of mustard, millets, and black chickpeas,” she told SheThePeople in an interview.
Gupta studied at Saint Paul’s Senior Secondary School, Mala Road, before pursuing a degree in business management from Lala Lajpat Rai College, Mumbai, a choice driven by her passion for business and leadership.
From a young age, she dreamed of becoming Miss World. “As a 10-year-old, I always wanted to compete in Femina Miss India when I wanted the Crown for its beauty. But as I grew old, I realised it is just much more than the crown; it’s a journey that only a few get to experience. A platform that gives you wings to fly high. Femina Miss India is a place which makes an ordinary girl extraordinary, keeping her simplicity intact,” Femina.in quoted her as saying.
Gupta made a cameo appearance in the 2024 film The Heist, which starred Femina Miss India 2019 Suman Rao.
Among the pageant’s most significant segments is “Beauty With A Purpose”. For Nandini, that purpose is Project Ekta, a reflection of everything she believes in, in her own words. It focuses on inclusion and empathy, especially for the differently-abled community.
“Empathy, unity, and the power of inclusion, particularly for the differently-abled community. My Beauty with a Purpose initiative was born from a place of deep love and understanding. Growing up with my uncle, who lived with Developmental Delays, Intellectual Disabilities and Polio in the tongue, I saw the world through his eyes, full of warmth and quiet strength… but also the pain of being misunderstood, left out, and unseen,” she wrote in an Instagram post.
“This is for him. And for every differently-abled individual whose story deserves to be heard, whose dreams deserve to be nurtured. Ekta means oneness, and that’s the heartbeat of this initiative. I want to build bridges where there were once walls, to replace silence with conversation, isolation with inclusion, and stigma with acceptance. The of my mission is to make the differently-abled community feel celebrated as a part of society. Beauty With A Purpose has given me the strength to turn my love into action. And this is only the beginning,” the post said.
Gupta is also passionate about spotlighting the stories of women who work with Kota Doriya, a fabric known for its lightweight texture and breathability. “There is a place called Kethoon in the outskirts of Kota. It’s very famous for Kota Doriya, a fabric which is famous for its cool and comfortable quality. But unfortunately, women and their families dedicate their entire lives to this work but are left unseen, unheard and exploited by not giving proper remuneration. I want to give them a , help them in building their legacies and not get exploited. Not only this, but by promoting them, I will be able to promote Indian handloom on a national and international platform where all are benefiting,” she once told Femina.in.
At a press conference ahead of the event, Gupta said, “It fills me with pride to represent India on home soil. Telangana’s charm, warmth, and diversity will certainly be a memorable backdrop for this transformative journey. I’m excited to welcome the world here.”
In an Instagram post, she wrote: “Khamma Gani, World. With the 72nd Miss World Festival coming to India, my heart overflows with gratitude and anticipation. I am beyond excited to share a piece of my soul with all of you. Every step I take, every story I tell, is rooted in the journey of a farmer’s daughter who dares to dream: not just for herself, but for every young girl across this nation who deserves to be seen, heard, and celebrated.”
She continued, “I cannot wait to welcome you with open arms and speak of the unmatched beauty, spirit, and strength of my homeland. In India, we live by the timeless truth of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which means “the world is one family.” And from our family to yours, welcome home.”
In a 2024 interview with , she had said, “Just the thought of being crowned Miss World gives me comfort that I will be able to do so much for the people of the world. I would be able to live my dream of giving back as much as possible. To hug children who have no one but god and tell them that they have a sister to always count on. If I can do this then I would achieve my life motive.”
The coveted Miss World crown is even more special this year given that reports suggest it is rafted with 1,770 dazzling diamonds totalling 175.49 carats and set in 18-carat white gold. It is valued at nearly Rs 3 crore. The winner will also take home a cash prize of Rs 1.15 crore.
The Grand Finale will be broadcast live from the HITEX Exhibition Centre in on May 31, 2025, from 6.30 PM. It will be available globally via national broadcasters in select countries and on the official Miss World pay-per-view platform, watchmissworld.com, in HD.
In India, it will stream live on SonyLIV.
The finale will be hosted by former Miss World Stephanie del Valle (Miss World 2016) and Indian presenter Sachiin Kumbhar, with performances by Bollywood stars and Ishaan Khatter.
According to the official site of the pageant, actor and humanitarian Sonu Sood will receive the prestigious Miss World Humanitarian Award and serve on the judging panel.
From 10 quarterfinalists in each continent, the group will be narrowed down to a Top 5, then to Top 2, and finally to 4 continental winners, who will answer a final question before the new Miss World is elected, the official site noted.
