KATHMANDU: Binita Gurung, a deputy director at Nepal Rastra Bank, has won the title of Mrs Nepal World 2026.
Gurung secured the main title after competing against 21 contestants at the pageant organised by Ribbon Entertainment Pvt Ltd at Nepal Police Club in Kathmandu’s Exhibition Road on Saturday night.
Originally from Diktel in Khotang district, Gurung also won the Your Market Best Personality subtitle. As the main titleholder, she received a scooter and will represent Nepal at the international Mrs World competition for married women, scheduled to take place in the United States.
Neha Gupta was named first runner-up, while Jyoti Lamichhane secured the second runner-up position. Gupta also received the Ribbon Entertainment Management Choice title.
Sagoon Khanal was named third runner-up and won the Horlicks Best Physique title.
Other international pageant titles
Shilpa Nyaupane Maharjan was named Mrs Nepal International 2026, Kristina Gyawali won Mrs Cosmo 2026, and Richa Sharma was crowned Ms International 2026.
Each of the three titleholders received a cash prize of Rs 50,000.
According to Nishukant Jha, chief executive officer of the organising company, the winners of Mrs Nepal International and Ms International will get opportunities to participate in international pageants in Singapore, while the Mrs Cosmo winner will compete in Myanmar.
Niruta Singh honoured with honorary title
Actress Niruta Singh was honoured with the honorary title of Mrs Nepal World 2026.
Organiser Shila Bastola said the recognition was given in appreciation of Singh’s more than three-and-a-half decades of contribution to Nepali cinema, her achievements and her inspiring personality.
In a tribute to Singh, models and actors Yasaraj Garach, Shila Gajurel and Richa Thapa performed dances to songs from films featuring the actress. Actors Rajesh Hamal and Singh also appeared on stage during the programme.
Special category winners
The competition also presented awards in several special categories.
Sandhya Lama won Arna Most Energetic, Sushma Thapa received Nivea Fabulous Face, and Anju Pariyar was named Most Talented. Shilpa Nyaupane Maharjan won Cutie Care and Beauty Hub Best Hair, while Deepti Dhungel received Healthy Skin.
Kristina Gyawali was named Best Ramp Walk, and Richa Sharma won Dinaz Fashion House Most Punctual. Samiksha Ranabhat received Ayuth Veda Best Smile, Shwechchha Paudyal won Reliable Diagnostic Laboratory Most Disciplined, and Kanchan Maharjan was named Central Fashion Academy Fashion Icon.
Sushma Thapa also won KD Photography Most Photogenic. Bindu Thapa Rana received Most Confident, Yasmin Begum Syed won Mrs Congeniality, and Sunita Shrestha Karmacharya was named Mrs Humanitarian.
The winners were presented with their titles and awards by Mrs World 2025 winner Chanita Sridaket Krethong, popularly known as Sammy, actor Rajesh Hamal, actress Rekha Thapa and other guests.
Judges and organisers
Whisper was the main sponsor of the competition, while Arna Energy Drink and Nivea were co-sponsors.
The judging panel included actor Rajesh Hamal, actress Rekha Thapa, former Nepal Police Additional Inspector General Meera Chaudhary, Sipradi Autoparts Vice-President Yuvraj Budhathoki, NMB Bank Chief Executive Officer Govinda Ghimire and Mrs Nepal World 2024 winner Dr Daniela Karki.
The event was choreographed by Ashwini Jha, with Nisha Baraili as co-choreographer. Ganga Maharjan and Bindiya Shrestha coordinated the programme, which was hosted by Sesemi Limbu and Sophia Bhujel.
This year’s contestants came from a range of professional backgrounds, including homemaking, medicine, engineering, banking, business, nursing and fashion design.
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