Eleven contestants aged between 18 and 22 will compete for the prestigious Miss Mokokchung 2026 crown at the grand finale scheduled for August 14 at 6:00 PM at the Town Hall, Mokokchung.

The pageant is organised by Forerunners Mokokchung and co-powered by the Beauty and Aesthetic Society of Nagaland (BASN), and is being held for the second consecutive year under the theme “Bloom Beyond Boundaries.” Details of the event were shared during a press conference held at The Magnus Conference Hall, Mokokchung, on August 12.

The press conference was attended by Sashinungla Nathan, Patron of Forerunners Mokokchung, along with Neitho Khamo, Show Director; Bendangienla Longshir, reigning Miss Mokokchung and 1st Runner-Up, Miss Nagaland 2025; Putusenla Aier, 2nd Runner-Up, Miss Mokokchung 2025; and Purtula Jamir, Co-Convenor, Forerunners Mokokchung, along with members of the organising team.

The contestants competing for the title are Atongjungla Walling, Aying Y Konyak, Chubaienla Pongen, Imkongtula, Likhum S Sangtam, Limasungla Imsong, Lily Rai, Naomi Z Tsanglao, Reshma Sahani, Sungjemtila and Yangersenla Pongen.

The competition will comprise three rounds that are Traditional and Introduction, Dance Routine, and Evening Gown, with the contestants being assessed across the different segments of the finale.

The pre-event Talent Round was conducted on August 3 at Urban Hub Cafe. The Miss Talented title will be announced during the grand finale.

The pageant will also confer several subtitles, including Miss Beautiful Skin, Miss Beautiful Smile, Miss Congeniality, Miss Perfect 10, Miss Photogenic, Miss Runway, Miss Talented and Queen of Hearts. The Queen of Hearts title will be decided through public voting on social media, with the public invited to vote for their favourite contestant through the Instagram handle @forerunnersmokokchung.

Speaking on the pageant industry in Nagaland, Show Director Neitho Khamo said that although the beauty pageant industry in the state remains relatively small, it is steadily gaining popularity, with organisations such as Forerunners contributing to its growth.

He said the pageant aims to set standards for Mokokchung district while providing young women with a platform to speak out against societal issues and create a positive impact. He also said the organisers were working to dispel misconceptions surrounding the pageant industry by highlighting success stories in fields such as aviation and beauty, as well as the contestants’ involvement in “Beauty with a Purpose” initiatives.

It was further announced that the winner of Miss Mokokchung 2026 will gain direct entry into the Miss Nagaland competition, while both runners-up will have the opportunity to audition for the state-level pageant.

Reflecting on her experience, reigning Miss Mokokchung 2025 Bengangienla Longshir said her journey had not been easy and had come with its share of challenges. She said the platform helped her find a purpose through her “Beauty with a Purpose” initiative focused on women empowerment under the theme “Her Voice, Her Power.”

The grand finale will be directed by Neitho Khamo, co-founder of Novaturient Managements, Talent Foresight, a grooming institute, and Foresight Event Managements. He has also been associated with the Beauty & Aesthetics Society of Nagaland (BASN) since 2017 and currently serves as its PR & Marketing Manager. Novaturient Managements provides a platform for emerging designers and models through its flagship event, Hornbill Fashion Night.

Dr. Nochetla Tzudir, District Agriculture Officer, Mokokchung, will be the Chief Guest at the grand finale, while Sashila Ozukum, Founder and Proprietor of Hope Academy, will be the Guest of Honour.

The evening will feature performances by artistes from Mokokchung, special artistes presented by the reigning queen, and the homegrown SARIWAR Band, which will make its live debut and open the show. Other performers include Ningdangri & Friends, Abdon Mech, Shau Evans, Elizabeth Khing, Tiakumla, Maongkar and Toshiwapang Imsong.

Abdon Mech, who has represented India at an international songwriting camp in Budapest and has opened for Grammy-winning artist John Mayer in Mumbai, will be performing in Mokokchung for the first time.

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The grand finale will be hosted by Arenla Lemtur, Proprietor of Soul House Academy, Mokokchung, where she also serves as Principal/Administrator. The programme will be announced by Imnuksungla Jamir, a pageant titleholder and former Miss Glamona 1st Runner-Up, who was crowned Miss Mokokchung and later secured the title of Miss Nagaland 1st Runner-Up in 2011.

Sangyu Pongen, Advocate at the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench, will serve as the Chief Tabulator.

The event will feature a specialised creative and fashion team. HM. Hmingmawii, a Shillong-based fashion designer known for her work in pageantry and couture across Northeast India, will be the Evening Gown Designer. Her creations have been worn by titleholders and national-level contestants representing Meghalaya, Nagaland, Assam, Sikkim, Mizoram and other parts of the region, including contestants at Miss Universe and Miss India platforms. Her portfolio includes winning gowns for Miss Meghalaya, Miss Northeast, Miss Shillong, Miss Sikkim and Miss Nagaland, besides earning the Best Evening Gown title at Miss Grand India.

Manen Jamir of Manen Design will be the local designer for the cocktail round. An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Fashion Technology, Bengaluru, Jamir is an award-winning fashion designer known for bringing his creative and distinctive fashion sensibility to Mokokchung.

Sangthy LKR and Anung Imchen will serve as the Official Makeup Artists, while Khruku Ltu, a visual storyteller and photographer from Kohima, Nagaland, will be the Official Photographer. Apart from photography, Ltu has worked as a freelance line producer and has been involved in national productions including The Family Man: Season 3, MTV Roadies and Tribe Verse.

Mele Pucho, President of the Northeast Beauty Pageant Organization, President of BASN–Miss Nagaland Organization and Nagaland Representative for RSL Exams, UK, will serve as the Chief Judge.

The judging panel will include Roselinda Longchar, Commercial Taxes Officer with the Department of Taxation, Government of Nagaland, and Zonal GST Enforcement Officer; Shakshi Biswakarma, Miss Assam 2024 and Miss Northeast 2026; and Jentiren Jamir, Femina Miss India Nagaland 2024 and member of Forerunners Mokokchung.

Tickets for the grand finale are priced at ₹300 for general admission, ₹2,000 for donor tickets and ₹5,000 for premium tickets, and are available at the venue and Social Garden restaurant.

The organisers have invited the public to attend the grand finale and support the contestants and performing artistes as the next Miss Mokokchung is crowned on August 14.