Bhubaneswar: KIIT has made history by hosting the Miss India Grand Finale for the first time at a university. The Femina Miss India-2026 event in Bhubaneswar is a proud moment for both Odisha and KIIT, marking a new chapter in the cultural and educational landscape of the state.
The grand finale of the 61st Femina Miss India will occur on April 18 at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) campus in Bhubaneswar.
The top 30 contestants from across India have arrived at the KIIT and KISS campus for the event titled “KIIT Presents 61st Femina Miss India 2026.”
This achievement is a point of pride for the institute and its founder, Dr. Achyuta Samant. Upon their arrival on April 13, all 30 contestants received a warm welcome at the KIIT campus, where Dr. Samanta personally greeted them and showcased the hospitality of Odisha.
The contestants have been visiting historical sites such as the Puri Jagannath Temple, Konark Sun Temple, and Chandrabhaga Beach, while also engaging with students on campus.
In celebration of Odia New Year, the contestants honored Odia culture by wearing traditional Odia sarees. They described their experience at the KIIT campus as “magical” and expressed their joy in being in the sacred land of Lord Jagannath.
This marks the first time a national-level beauty pageant is being organized on a university campus in Eastern India. The agreement for this event was signed between the Times Group and Dr. Samanta in Mumbai in March.
Since its inception as a technical institute in 1992-93, KIIT has evolved into a world-class educational hub, with the world’s largest tribal university, ‘KISS,’ also affiliated with it.
Under Dr. Samanta’s leadership, the realms of glamour and social development have been intertwined, establishing Odisha as a center for major national events.
The grand finale on April 18 will showcase a spectacular blend of intelligence, talent, and beauty, featuring winners from various sub-competitions like ‘KIIT Bhubaneswar Miss Sudoku’ and ‘Times Miss IQ.’ This event has positioned Bhubaneswar on the national map as a symbol of educational, cultural, and visionary leadership success.
