This round will shortlist contestants who will then move on to the grand finale and the winners will then go on to represent the country at various International beauty pageants.

Judges Cleo Issacs, Neha Dhupia and Subi Samuel

An expert panel of judges recognised for their work and contributions in their respective fields will shortlist entries at the regional level. The elite list of judges include former Miss India Neha Dhupia, ace photographer Subi Samuel, model Cleo Issacs, Femina editor Sathya Saran and Times Infotainment Media Ltd MD and CEO A P Parigi.

Said Parigi, "Femina Miss India is the destination to the land of opportunity for the modern young women of India. For us here at the Times Group, Pond's is a natural fit to be associated with the event. Together we are certain that we are going to take the contest to a higher level and continue selecting the best to represent our country at the international beauty for as such as Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss Earth."

Former Miss India Neha Dhupia with the contestants for the Pond's Femina Miss India 2004

Added Hindustan Lever Ltd category head - Skin Care Vivek Rampal, "“We are delighted to be part of this pageant that provides a platform for every individual participant to identify and explore her inner strengths to become ‘as beautiful as she wants to be’. The Pond’s woman is a contemporary woman who typically believes that there should be a perfect balance between the attributes of mind and the body, between personality and beauty and this is the very essence that the pageant symbolises. The association with Pond’s Femina Miss India Beauty Pageant only reaffirms Pond’s positioning as a beauty, grooming and skincare specialist for the contemporary Indian woman."

So far, the beauty pageant has received over 6000 entries from contestants all over the country. The country’s most prestigious beauty pageant has attracted talent and beauty from 63 regions including metros like Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai.