Uddish Markan from Chandigarh 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.
Uddish Markan is a student, national-level basketball player and aspiring model from Chandigarh, India, who is currently based in Delhi. He is presently pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) in his first year at Hansraj College, University of Delhi, after completing his Class XII education. Fluent in English, Hindi and Punjabi, Uddish has developed a diverse personality through his involvement in competitive sports, leadership, academics and extracurricular activities.
Hailing from Chandigarh, Uddish began his sporting journey with basketball at the age of eight. What began as an early interest developed into a serious sporting pursuit, and by the age of twelve, he had already participated in his first national championship. Over the years, he represented Chandigarh at national-level basketball competitions and was entrusted with the responsibility of captaining the Chandigarh basketball team on two occasions. Alongside basketball, he also developed a strong interest in athletics, particularly middle-distance running, competing at the state level in the 800-metre and 1500-metre events. His athletic abilities were recognised through the Best Athlete award at his school on three occasions.
Uddish’s formative years at Vivek High School, Chandigarh, played an important role in developing his leadership and communication abilities. During his time at the school, he was appointed School Captain, a responsibility that provided him with valuable experience in leading teams, working with people from different backgrounds and taking responsibility for those around him. His participation in Model United Nations conferences, parliamentary debates, quizzes, science and cultural events further strengthened his public-speaking, communication and interpersonal skills.
After completing Class X, Uddish received sports scholarship offers from four different schools before choosing to continue his Classes XI and XII at PML SD School, Chandigarh. During these two years, he continued to balance academics with competitive sport and extracurricular activities, developing the discipline and time-management skills required to manage multiple commitments effectively.
A significant turning point in Uddish’s sporting journey came when he was selected to represent India at the U-16 SABA tournament. However, around the same period, he suffered a Grade 4 ATFL tear in his right ankle. Despite his efforts towards recovery, the injury had a lasting effect on his sporting career, and he was unable to regain the same level of skill and fitness required to continue towards international competition. Although the setback brought an unexpected change to his sporting aspirations, the experience strengthened his resilience and taught him the importance of adapting to circumstances and continuing forward despite challenges.
Following the completion of his school education, Uddish moved from Chandigarh to Delhi to pursue higher education at Hansraj College. The transition also marked an important stage of personal development, allowing him to become more independent while adapting to a new environment. Alongside his academic pursuits, he has developed an interest in content creation and is now exploring opportunities in modelling and pageantry.
Uddish also has a strong affinity for animals, an interest that became particularly meaningful after he became a pet parent to his Golden Retriever, Kaaju. His experience of caring for Kaaju developed his sense of responsibility, patience and compassion and subsequently encouraged him to extend that care towards animals in his surroundings. He regularly feeds stray dogs, cats, birds and cows and has also taken the initiative to get stray dogs in his area vaccinated and cared for whenever possible.
At present, Uddish Markan is working towards establishing himself in the fields of pageantry, modelling and content creation while continuing his graduation. His long-term aspiration is to pursue an MBA from one of the Indian Institutes of Management and build a career that combines business, communication, creativity and leadership. Through pageantry, he hopes to represent himself with confidence and purpose while inspiring young people to pursue their ambitions with discipline, resilience and authenticity.
With a foundation built through competitive sport, leadership, academic pursuits and personal experiences, Uddish Markan represents a young generation that is willing to embrace change while remaining committed to growth. As he begins his journey in pageantry and modelling, he carries forward the discipline of an athlete, the confidence of a leader and the resilience gained through adversity, bringing together these qualities as he works towards shaping a purposeful and ambitious future.
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.
Image source: Uddish Markan.
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