The reigning Miss Diva Universe is Shweta Sharda who was crowned by the outgoing titleholder Divita Rai. Sharda represented India at Miss Universe 2023, achieving a placement in the Top 20.
Following the relinquishment of the Miss Universe franchise by the Miss Universe Organization to Bennett, Coleman and Co., a distinct Miss Diva pageant was established to select India's representatives for Miss Universe. Previously, Femina Miss India designated its winner to compete at Miss Universe. However, in 2010, Tantra Entertainment Private Limited, in partnership with former Miss Universe and renowned Bollywood actress Sushmita Sen, launched a separate pageant, I Am She-Miss Universe India, to send Indian delegates to Miss Universe.
Following 2012, Sushmita Sen and Tantra Entertainment relinquished the Miss Universe license, prompting the Femina Miss India Organization to assume rights for Miss Diva 2013.[4][5]
The inaugural Miss Diva pageant took place on 5 September 2013, in Mumbai. Fourteen finalists, meticulously selected from across the nation, vied for the coveted crown at the grand finale. Manasi Moghe, hailing from Mumbai, was declared the first-ever "Miss Diva Universe 2013" by the esteemed Zeenat Aman, Miss Asia Pacific 1970, and a renowned Bollywood actress. Gurleen Grewal, representing Punjab, was crowned "Miss Diva International 2013" by Sahar Biniaz, Miss Universe Canada 2012. Finally, Srishti Rana from Faridabad received the title of "Miss Diva Asia Pacific World 2013" from Bollywood's celebrated actress, Raveena Tandon.[6][7][8]
In 2019, Liva Fluid Fashion secured the sponsorship rights for the Miss Diva pageant. The inaugural edition under their patronage was scheduled for 2020. As there was no pageant held in 2019, the Miss India Organization appointed Indian representatives for international competitions. Vartika Singh and Shefali Sood were selected to compete in Miss Universe 2019 and Miss Supranational 2019, respectively.[9][10]
In 2024, Miss Diva organization withdrew the license to the Miss Universe organization in 2024 because they felt the Miss Universe organization had changed and needed to address internal issues. The Miss Diva organization has stated they will return to the Miss Universe once the issues has been resolved.
After withdrawing the Miss Universe license, Miss Diva rebranded its 2024 edition as "LIVA Miss Diva 2.0." This revamped edition introduced two new titles: Miss Diva Content Creator and Miss Diva Fashion Designer. In keeping with tradition, the Miss Diva Supranational title continues to be awarded, as it has in previous editions.[11]
In 2013, Srishti Rana won Miss Asia Pacific World 2013 and became the second Indian to win the title. She was crowned by the outgoing titleholder Himangini Singh Yadu from India as well.[12][13] This gave India a back-to-back victory in the pageant. Rana is the first ever Miss Diva winner to win any international title.[14] In 2014, India again won the pageant, making it the only country to win any international pageant three years in a row.[15] (Many other countries such as South Africa have won consecutive pageant awards).
In 2014, Asha Bhat competed at the sixth edition of Miss Supranational and won the pageant.[16] Asha is the first Indian and second Asian to win the said pageant.[17] In 2016, Srinidhi Ramesh Shetty was sent to Miss Supranational in Krynica-Zdrój, Poland and she won the title of Miss Supranational 2016.[18] India is the first country to win Miss Supranational twice and both delegates were sent by Miss Diva.[19]
In 2021, Adline Quadros Castelino, Miss Diva Universe 2020 represented India at Miss Universe 2020, held in Hollywood, Florida, United States.[20] There, she placed as the 3rd runner-up, thus achieving India's highest placement in Miss Universe since Lara Dutta, who won the title in the year 2000. She also achieved India's 3rd runner-up position in Miss Universe after 55 years.[21]
The Times Group acquired the rights to send India's representatives to Miss Supranational in 2013.[22] From the year 2016 to 2020, the first runner-up of Miss Diva is announced as Miss Supranational India.[23][24]
Note – Due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, no pageant held in 2020
Previous franchises
Below are the names of delegates and the international pageants whose franchise was previously owned by the Times Group. Femina Miss India/Miss Diva no longer selects India's representatives for the below listed pageants.
From 1991, The Times Group had the franchise for selecting India's representatives to Miss International. In 2013, Miss Diva runner-up was sent as India's delegate.[25][26]
Since the first edition of Miss Earth in 2001, to the year 2013, The Times Group selected India's representatives to the pageant. A runner-up of Miss Diva was sent to Miss Earth in the year 2014.[27]
The Times Group selected representatives for this pageant in 2013 and 2014. Miss Diva 2013 runner-up, Srishti Rana won the title of Miss Asia Pacific World 2013.[28]