Udupi: Udupi’s Spoorthi Shetty has achieved a significant milestone by securing a coveted wildcard entry into the prestigious Miss Universe India 2026 pageant. The MBA graduate and marketing professional at the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) will now compete with contestants from across the country for the national crown, with the winner earning the opportunity to represent India at the 75th Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico.
The announcement marks another important chapter in Spoorthi’s inspiring journey, which has been built on perseverance, determination and years of consistent participation in beauty pageants. Speaking at a press conference held at the Udupi Press Club on July 16, she reflected on her journey from being an introverted schoolgirl to becoming a national-level beauty pageant contestant.
From an introvert to a confident performer
Spoorthi revealed that her transformation began during her childhood when she was naturally shy and spent most of her time between school and home.
Her life changed after her cousin, Manjeeth Shetty, established a dance academy and encouraged her to perform on stage. The opportunity helped her overcome her hesitation, build self-confidence and develop the communication skills that later became invaluable in beauty pageants.
Addressing the media, Spoorthi said her pageant journey officially began when she was just 16 years old.
“My beauty pageant journey started at the age of 16, when I participated in my first beauty pageant at Udyavara. Although I did not secure a title, the experience only strengthened my determination to pursue my dream of becoming a beauty queen,” she said.
Rather than being discouraged by the initial setback, she viewed it as motivation to improve and continue competing.
Steady rise through beauty pageants
Over the years, Spoorthi steadily built an impressive portfolio by participating in several state, national and international competitions.
In 2018, she finished among the top three in Miss Karnataka, earning the opportunity to represent Karnataka on the international stage. She subsequently secured a top-10 finish internationally and won the Miss South India title.
Her success continued in 2020, when she was crowned Queen Karnataka, further establishing herself as one of the state’s promising pageant contestants.
In 2021, she became the first runner-up at Miss International Universe, adding another major achievement to her growing list of accolades.
Her consistency continued over the next few years. In 2024, she secured a place among the top 12 contestants at Miss Grand India.
During the Miss Universe India state-level competition in 2025, she once again impressed the judges by finishing among the top 10 contestants.
Earlier this year, Spoorthi emerged as the first runner-up at Miss Universe Karnataka 2026, a performance that ultimately earned her the coveted wildcard entry into the national competition.
National pageant begins on July 19
The Miss Universe India 2026 competition will commence on July 19 and continue for nearly 40 days, concluding with the grand finale on August 23.
The pageant will be conducted across multiple cities, including Jaipur, Bengaluru and Indore, before culminating in New Delhi, where the national winner will be crowned.
The winner will go on to represent India at the 75th Miss Universe pageant scheduled to be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Speaking about the format of the competition, Spoorthi said contestants would travel extensively during the event, participating in various activities, training sessions and competitive rounds before the final event in the national capital.
MAHE extends full support
Spoorthi also acknowledged the encouragement she has received from her employer, the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), where she has been working in outreach marketing for the past year.
Her role requires her to represent MAHE across different states and even internationally, involving frequent travel and interaction with students and institutions.
She expressed gratitude to the university management and her colleagues for encouraging her to pursue her dream without worrying about professional commitments.
According to Spoorthi, the institution readily granted her the 40 to 50 days required for the competition and motivated her to focus entirely on the pageant before returning to work.
She also highlighted that being both an employee and an alumna of MAHE made the institution proud to see one of its former students representing it on a national platform.
Family’s encouragement behind success
Spoorthi credited her family for supporting her throughout her journey.
She particularly acknowledged her cousin, Manjeeth Shetty, whose dance academy played a pivotal role in helping her gain confidence during her formative years.
The press conference at the Udupi Press Club was attended by Manjeeth Shetty and Lions Club coordinator Mallika Ashok Shetty, both of whom expressed confidence in Spoorthi’s ability to perform well at the national competition.
Their continued encouragement, along with the support from her workplace and well-wishers, has strengthened her resolve to compete for the Miss Universe India title.
A proud moment for Udupi
Spoorthi’s selection has brought pride to Udupi, with many considering her achievement an inspiration for aspiring young women who dream of representing the country on national and international platforms.
Her journey reflects years of dedication, perseverance and continuous self-improvement, demonstrating that setbacks can become stepping stones to success when met with determination.
With the Miss Universe India competition set to begin shortly, she will now aim to convert her wildcard opportunity into a national title.
Conclusion
Spoorthi Shetty’s entry into Miss Universe India 2026 through a wildcard selection marks the culmination of years of hard work and resilience. As she prepares to compete against some of the country’s finest contestants, Udupi and Karnataka will be watching with pride, hoping she brings home the coveted national crown and earns the opportunity to represent India on the global Miss Universe stage.