While there are a number of beauty pageants at the local level, there are probably one or two at the national level. Today in India there are primarily two major pageants that are held on a large-scale national level. It takes months together scouting for the participants from across the country with preliminary rounds for selection in various cities and zones.
Once the selection is made then the participants are trained and groomed for the final competing day. They have to undergo rigorous training in all aspects of grooming, which includes not just grooming and etiquette, but also physical and soft skills training. This is because the winner from these pageants represents the country at the international pageants.
Renowned designers generally design the national pageant dresses. These garments are sponsored by the pageant hosts, who get the show sponsors and advertisers to pay of the clothes. The designers have long sessions with the girls, in order to give them the perfect look for the night.
Sometimes the contest hosts provide an opportunity for new designers to create the national level pageant dress for the girls. This is so as to give them an opportunity to showcase their talents and be launched into the fashion world. However, for the international contests, only established and renowned designers are empanelled for the participants.
These national pageants are a thorough learning experience for the participants as they are taught the finer nuances of etiquette at every level. They spend almost three months away from home preparing for the contest. But at the end of it all each one is a winner, with all the experience they gain.