In a historic achievement, 20-year-old Rachel Gupta from Jalandhar won the Miss Grand International 2024 title, making her the first Indian to win this title. She won on October 25 while competing against contestants from more than 70 countries. Gupta also received another award called the Grand Pageants Choice Award 2024. Her uncle, Minhas, said that she now has the record for the most pageant crowns won by an Indian, and she is tied with former Miss Universe Lara Dutta.

Even though people are celebrating Gupta’s win, the event has become controversial because of what happened with Team Myanmar. Videos on social media show the second runner-up, Thae Su Nyein, having her crown and sash taken away by the pageant director as she left the stage. This incident has taken attention away from Gupta’s amazing victory in the beauty pageant.

About the Award

Miss Grand India is a national beauty pageant that started in 2023. It is organized by the Glamanand Group in New Delhi. The winners of this pageant represent India in the Miss Grand International competition.

Before 2023, Indian representatives for Miss Grand International were chosen from different national contests or by direct appointments. These contests included the Indian Princess pageant (2013-2014), Femina Miss India (2015-2019, 2021), and Glamanand Supermodel India (2020, 2022).

India has been taking part in the Miss Grand International pageant since 2013 and has had six placements so far. In 2024, Rachel Gupta made history by winning the Miss Grand International crown, which was India’s first victory in this pageant.

Who is Rachel Gupta?

Rachel Gupta is an Indian model who has made history by winning the Miss Grand International 2024 title, becoming the first Indian to achieve this honor. Before winning this title, she was also crowned Miss Grand India 2024 and Miss Super Talent of the World 2022. When she was only 18 years old, she participated in the Miss Supertalent competition in September 2022, held in Paris, France. In that event, she won against contestants from 50 different countries.

In May 2024, Rachel Gupta was chosen as one of the finalists for the Miss Grand India 2024 pageant. At the final event in August 2024, she was crowned Miss India 2024 by the previous winner, Arshina Sumbul, in Jaipur, Rajasthan. During the pageant, Rachel also won several other awards, including Miss Top Model, Best in Ramp Walk, Beauty with a Purpose, and Best National Costume.

Rachel Gupta went to Thailand as a guest for the early and final events of Miss Grand Saraburi 2025. While she was there, she helped the Foundation for Slum Child Care in Bangkok by donating items worth 10,000 THB to support the foundation's work.