Kartik Kaul from Jammu and Kashmir has been selected as one of the national finalists for the 2026 Mr. India Universe competition. The national finale of the competition is scheduled to take place later this year. This will be for the first time that Jammu and Kashmir will get represented at the Mr. India Universe competition and it will also be for the first time in the Indian history that the region of Kashmir will join the Indian male pageant industry. At the culmination of the event, the new Mr. India Universe winner will be chosen.
Kartik Kaul is a corporate professional, fitness athlete, content creator and aspiring model from Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir, currently based in Mumbai. His journey is a testament to discipline, resilience and purposeful growth. Holding a Bachelor's degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering and an MBA in Marketing, he has built a successful career in the corporate sector, working with a well-known MNC. Alongside his professional accomplishments, Kartik has spent nearly a decade dedicated to bodybuilding and fitness, earning a Gold Medal at a university-level bodybuilding championship, representing his university at the national men's physique competition, and winning a district-level silver medal in skating. Raised in a Kashmiri Pandit family whose resilience in rebuilding life after migration profoundly shaped his values, he credits his family's sacrifices for instilling perseverance, gratitude and an unwavering work ethic. From overcoming a serious arm injury and leaving home at a young age to pursue higher education, to progressing from student life in Punjab to a managerial role in one of India's leading multinational companies, every chapter of his journey has strengthened his character. Today, as a Mr. India Universe National Finalist, Kartik carries forward not only a passion for fitness and fashion but also a vision of creating meaningful social impact, aspiring to build initiatives that support those in need while inspiring others to believe that consistent effort, humility and resilience can transform both lives and dreams.
Mr. India Universe is a national competition for men in India. It is organised by Glamanand Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., the Indian franchise holder of the globally renowned Miss Universe competition. The event is spearheaded by its founder and chairman, Nikhil Anand, and serves as a platform for aspiring male models and personalities from across the country. Following a nationwide audition process, some of India's most talented and promising contestants have been selected to compete in this year's national finale. Before the grand finale, the finalists will undergo an intensive series of grooming and training sessions designed to enhance their confidence, communication skills, personality and stage presence. The contestants will arrive at the finale venue, where they will participate in a schedule of official photoshoots, pre-finale activities, rehearsals and a range of preliminary events leading up to the grand finale. At the culmination of the competition, the reigning Mr. India Universe, Bishan Madappa from Karnataka, will ceremonially relinquish his title and award his successor.
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