Following the remarks made by the Beauty & Aesthetic Society of Nagaland (BASN) during a press conference on November 22 last, the Miss Universe India (MUI) Organization today said while it respects BASN’s right to express its views, several comments made during the presser reflected “an incomplete and, at times, inaccurate understanding” of how the national pageant system functions.

The BASN, which previously held the state franchise for Miss Universe Nagaland, had earlier raised concerns about the integrity of national pageants, criticized the franchise model, questioned registration fees, and suggested that opportunities for contestants from the Northeast were limited or unfair.

In a statement, Amjad Khan, Director, Franchise Operations, Miss Universe India Organization clarified that BASN had referred not only to Miss Universe India but also to other pageants with which MUI and its license-holder, Glamanand, have no association.

It said it could not comment on BASN’s experiences with any other organization or private pageant systems outside the Miss Universe India framework.

“We wish to clarify that we cannot speak for or comment on their experiences with any other organization or franchise system outside of Miss Universe India,” Khan stated.

Stating that each national pageant, state organizer, and private entity operates under its own structure, policies, and business model, the MUI said, “Our responsibility is solely toward the Miss Universe India Organization and the pageants conducted under Glamanand, the official and exclusive license holder of the Miss Universe franchise in India, along with several other respected international platforms.”

The MUI further said it is entirely the discretion of any state-level pageant organization to choose which national platform they wish to associate with. “Similarly, it is their choice whether to seek a franchise, just as it is equally our responsibility and prerogative as a national organization to determine to whom we grant a franchise based on alignment with our standards, values, and operational requirements,” it added.

The MUI further clarified that pageantry is not an informal activity but a globally structured, professional, multi-tiered system that has been followed for more than seven decades stating that all major international pageants, including Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss International, Miss Earth, Miss Grand International, and Miss Charm, operate under a uniform hierarchy: an international organization grants a national license, and that national pageant may further distribute state or regional licenses to select finalists who ultimately represent their countries internationally.

It said national licenses are granted only after substantial fees and thorough evaluation, and national directors are required to conduct legitimate national competitions, either by holding auditions in multiple cities — traditionally in selected metro cities in India or by organizing state-level pageants under the state franchise model, crowning one candidate from each state.

Miss Universe India highlighted that the state franchise model, introduced nationally two years ago, has now been adopted by other national organizers and has helped democratize pageantry by expanding opportunities to smaller towns.

This model, it said ensures equal opportunity for every state, standardized evaluation, transparency in selection, regional representation, local scouting of talent, reduced financial and travel burdens on candidates and encourages parental support. The system follows global best practices seen in countries such as the USA, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico.

According to MUI, dismissing this structure as merely “commercial” reflects a misunderstanding of global pageantry.

Addressing BASN’s criticism of franchise fees, the Miss Universe India Organization said the former partner had presented “an incomplete and one-sided” narrative by focusing solely on cost without explaining the significant benefits that come with holding a franchise.

The franchise fee is not a payment for sending a contestant to nationals, but a licensing cost that grants the right to conduct an official Miss Universe India state pageant, use branding, and operate under a globally recognized system and access sponsorship , government support (in some cases) and be recognized as the official State partner.

MUI clarified that its franchise fee for Northeast states is among the lowest in India and that revenue from sponsorships, ticket sales, and partnerships remains entirely with the state franchisee as MUI does not take any percentage from it.

The MUI asserted that the franchise model is essential in India due to its size and complexity, as a national pageant cannot efficiently conduct auditions across 28+ states and union territories.

It said this model ensures local representation, transparency, fairness, and recognition of cultural diversity. It generates employment opportunities at the local level, builds a strong pageant culture in every state, encourages widespread participation, and creates local role models.

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Responding to allegations that candidates from the Northeast face discrimination, MUI strongly denied the claims and cited multiple examples of successful contestants from the region. It said that under the Glamanand franchise, Northeast contestants have consistently excelled, including Ruopfuzhano Whiso of Nagaland, who finished as one of the runners-up at Miss Universe India 2024, and Sarangthem Nirupama of Manipur, also a runner-up in 2025. Four of the top eight finalists in Glamanand Supermodel India 2024 were from Northeast India, with several titleholders—such as Irene Dkhar from Meghalaya, who was crowned Miss Tourism World India 2024, and Rajashree Dowarah from Assam, who was crowned Miss Cosmo India 2024, both of whom went on to represent India internationally.

The organization acknowledged that the Northeast has a vibrant pageant culture but added that participation remains limited and grooming infrastructure underdeveloped. It pointed to gaps such as insufficient talent scouting, outdated judging formats, minimal investment in training, and a lack of understanding of modern pageant standards. It described these as long-standing regional challenges that need collective effort to overcome.

On the issue of registration fees, the MUI said the ₹2,999 registration fee ensures that only serious and well-prepared applicants participate in auditions. It added that for several Northeast states with active state-level pageants, including Nagaland, the organization had waived the fee entirely to ensure accessibility without compromising quality.

The organization also clarified that it offers a Talent Partner programme for groups unable to afford a state franchise. Talent Partners, it said, are connected with the relevant state franchise, without paying a fee, which helps them increase their registration and talent pool.

It said a dedicated Instagram page for the Northeast would soon be launched to facilitate communication with interested state, district, and regional pageants as well as aspiring contestants seeking guidance, support and training.
The MUI further expressed concern over BASN’s announcement that it would discourage candidates from joining national pageants. The organization said such decisions directly harm young women, as they lose the chance to represent their state, gain exposure at the national level, access global platforms, pursue career opportunities, secure endorsements, engage in social impact work, and compete internationally.

It said restricting or banning participation reflects a “cancel-culture mindset”, which become a major blockage to growth and development.

The organization reaffirmed Miss Universe India’s commitment to transparency, fairness, and global standards. The organization said it remains dedicated to supporting deserving young women from every Indian state and urged all stakeholders to understand and strengthen the global pageant, appreciate its structure, and collectively work to strengthen India’s international presence.