Inside Arya Nishaant’s journey to becoming Miss Nepal International

Arya Nishaant, the newly crowned Miss Nepal International 2026, hails from Janakpur and holds a degree in Business Administration, working as an Academic Coordinator. Her journey into pageantry was fueled by admiration for the positive impact and life changes witnessed in national and international beauty queens.

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My biggest inspirations to join pageantry were the international and national beauty queens I’ve seen growing up. I have seen the way pageantry has changed their lives, the impact they’ve brought to their society, the work they’ve done for other people, and the way they’ve helped others. I think all of that combined inspired me to join pageantry.

Nishaant described the 50-day training period as a memorable and fun experience, largely due to the strong friendships formed with fellow contestants. Living and working together 24/7 fostered a supportive environment where they constantly discussed improvements. She found the constructive criticism, even when delivered publicly, to be a powerful catalyst for personal transformation, motivating her to surpass expectations.

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I think the most memorable and fun part of our 50-day journey was making friends and spending time with them. We were together 24/7, on calls talking about what to do the next day, what’s happening, and how we could do better.

Regarding her social media presence, Nishaant revealed a deliberate effort to curate a space that drives real-world change while safeguarding her mental well-being. She admitted to not being very active online and would prefer a life without internet access if possible. However, she understands the necessity of a social presence for her role as a pageant contestant. Nishaant emphasizes a strong mindset that allows her to distinguish between online portrayals and reality, ensuring that external opinions do not affect her self-perception.

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As for the transformative side, different aspects of us as humans were tested throughout the journey. Our intellect, the way we carry ourselves, how punctual we are, how we manage stress, because the days were long and stressful. We were also given constructive criticism to our faces, in front of everyone. That’s a hard pill to swallow. It’s different when suggestions come one-on-one versus in front of everyone. But I think that’s what helped everyone improve. It gave me a point to prove: that I can do better, and that's what helped me personally transform.

Recalling the crowning moment, Nishaant found solace and grounding in spotting her father in the crowd, a surprise attendance that reassured her. His presence was a significant anchor as her name was announced, helping her remain composed during the peak of the competition.

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Before joining Miss Nepal, I had deleted all my socials. I am not someone who's very active on social media. If it were up to me, I would be living on a farm in a village with no internet. But as a pageant girl, there are certain things expected of you, and I had to have a social presence, so I did join.