S. Nithyanandhan from Tamil Nadu 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. At the culmination of the event, the new Mr. India Universe winner will be chosen.
S. Nithyanandhan is an intern doctor, boxer, content creator, sportsperson and aspiring model from Tamil Nadu. Born in Virudhunagar district and raised in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, he is currently based in Coimbatore, where he is pursuing his medical education and undergoing his Compulsory Rotatory Residential Internship in Homeopathy. Possessing knowledge of three languages, including, Tamil, Hindi and English, Nithyanandhan has cultivated a multifaceted personality through his academic pursuits, sporting achievements and growing presence in the modelling industry.
His formative years were spent across Cuddalore and Vellore, where he completed his schooling before pursuing his higher secondary education in Virudhunagar. During his school years, he developed a strong inclination towards sports, with boxing becoming a significant part of his journey. After taking up professional training in Class 11, he progressed to divisional-level competition and won a silver medal in the Under-19 middleweight category. He also represented himself at zonal-level handball competitions and competed in inter-collegiate badminton in both singles and doubles, experiences that strengthened his discipline, competitive spirit and physical endurance.
Although Nithyanandhan initially considered joining the Indian Military after school, his aspirations eventually led him towards healthcare. He prepared for the NEET-UG examination and, after a year dedicated to preparation, began his medical education in 2021. His decision to pursue medicine has since evolved into a broader ambition of contributing to public health and social service alongside establishing himself professionally.
His entry into modelling, however, came unexpectedly. During college, he participated in a handloom fashion show simply as an opportunity to take part, eventually being selected as the Handloom Ambassador representing his college and securing a place among the Top 12 at the grand finale. The experience opened an entirely new avenue for him and eventually led him to pageantry.
Nithyanandhan made his mark at the pageant level with a 1st Runner-Up finish at Mr. Vellore 2025. He subsequently won Mr. Iris Face of Madurai 2025, secured 2nd Runner-Up at Mr. Madarase Tamil Nadu 2025 and emerged as 1st Runner-Up at Mr. South Indian Fashion Terra 2025. Each platform helped him refine his grooming, presentation, communication, stage presence and confidence while developing greater discipline and composure.
Now, as a finalist of Mr. India Universe 2026, Nithyanandhan carries forward a journey that began far beyond the pageant stage. With medicine as his profession, sports as a foundation and modelling as an unexpected yet defining pursuit, he represents the spirit of someone willing to explore new possibilities and continually evolve. His aspirations extend towards building a distinguished career in both medicine and modelling while contributing to social service and public health. As he steps onto the national stage, his journey stands as a compelling reminder that an unplanned beginning can sometimes lead to an extraordinary destination.
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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