THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, MARCH 11, 2026

In a landmark development for India’s education and cultural landscape, the 61st Femina Miss India Grand Finale will be hosted by KIIT Deemed to be University in April, marking a historic first for both the institution and eastern India.

An MoU was signed in Mumbai on Wednesday between KIIT Deemed to be University and Femina Miss India, paving the way for KIIT to become the first university in India to host this prestigious national event. The development also marks the first time that the grand finale of Femina Miss India will be organised in eastern India, underscoring the region’s growing prominence on the national stage.

The agreement was formalised in the presence of Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder of KIIT and KISS, whose vision has played a pivotal role in transforming KIIT into one of the country’s leading educational institutions with global recognition.

The MoU was signed by Prof. Saranjit Singh, Vice Chancellor of KIIT University; Prof. S. S. Ray, Director General of KIIT School of Architecture; and Rohit Gopakumar, Chief Executive Officer of the Times Group, representing the Times Group, the organiser of the Femina Miss India pageant.

The signing ceremony took place at the Times of India office in Mumbai and was attended by several distinguished guests, including officials associated with Femina Miss India 2025. The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from stakeholders and dignitaries connected with the prestigious beauty pageant and the media fraternity.

The event was also broadcast live during the signing ceremony, allowing audiences and followers of the pageant across the country to witness the historic moment that brings one of India’s most celebrated national events to the campus of KIIT.

The hosting of the 61st Femina Miss India Grand Finale at KIIT is expected to bring national attention to Bhubaneswar and Odisha, highlighting the state’s growing stature as a destination for major national and international events. The association also reflects the expanding role of universities as vibrant hubs for cultural engagement, youth participation and global visibility.

With preparations set to begin soon, the upcoming grand finale promises to be a spectacular celebration of talent, glamour and excellence, while further strengthening KIIT’s reputation as a dynamic institution capable of hosting events of international scale and prestige.