Jaipur: In a vibrant display of aspiration and confidence, Rajasthan’s largest and most prestigious beauty pageant, Miss Rajasthan 2026, kicked off its 28th edition with a grand first audition in the state capital on Sunday.

More than 1200 young women from every corner of Rajasthan — from bustling cities to remote towns, villages, and even distant hamlets (dhanis) — turned up to chase their dreams on the ramp. The overwhelming participation highlighted the growing popularity of the pageant among girls across the state.

Ekta Jain, Director of Miss Rajasthan, expressed delight at the massive turnout. She noted that this year’s audition saw an unprecedented response, with participants travelling from small kasbas and far-flung areas, reflecting the deep-rooted enthusiasm for the platform.

The event was organised by Fusion Group in collaboration with Ruvi Digital and Premium Safari. During the audition, contestants impressed the judges with their beauty statements, fashion sense, and confident catwalk performances. Many were accompanied by family members who arrived dressed in traditional Rajasthani attire, proudly supporting their daughters and sisters.

The jury panel featured an impressive line-up of prominent names from the fashion and glamour industry, including Nimisha Mishra, Miss Globe India 2025 Jasmine Rana, Miss Rajasthan 2026 Twinkle Purohit, Meenakshi, Rishita, Heena Thakur, Aditi Sharma, Aura Virmani, Disha Bhatt, Aditi Brahm Bhatt, and Miss Rajasthan 2024 Harshika Batra.

Organisers Yogesh Mishra and Nimisha Mishra shared that after the second round of auditions, shortlisted candidates will undergo an interview round. From there, 28 finalists will be selected. These 28 young women will receive one month of complimentary grooming sessions and intensive training to prepare them for national and international competitions.

The ultimate goal, according to the organisers, is to equip the finalists not only to compete at higher levels but also to bring pride to Rajasthan on bigger stages. One among the 28 will be crowned Miss Rajasthan 2026.

Several distinguished guests graced the occasion, including Prime Safari Chairman Pawan Goyal, Vivo Promotion Manager Mudit Sharma, Ruvi Digital Director Alok Sharma, Ruchi Bhartariya, Raj Bansal, IAS Neeraj’s Pawan, Dainik Bhaskar State Editor Mukesh Mathur, former Mayor Jyoti Khandelwal, Park Ocean’s Sandeep Jain, fashion photographer Vasu Jain, host Darpan Kumar, Raghav Goyal, Saumya Mishra, Rishabh Sharma, and Arshad Hussain.

Speaking to the media, Yogesh Mishra and Nimisha Mishra emphasised that Miss Rajasthan has evolved into a powerful platform for girls, especially from smaller towns, to build careers in the fashion and glamour industry. They observed a noticeable increase in interest among young women and strong family support, which has contributed to the rising number of participants every year.

The successful first audition has set a promising tone for the 28th edition of Miss Rajasthan. With such widespread participation and robust backing from families and the industry, the pageant continues to strengthen its position as Rajasthan’s premier platform for talent discovery and empowerment in the world of beauty and fashion.