Rules and Regulations for the MISS INDIA TEXAS PAGEANT 2009

1. Who Can Participate: Any single woman of Indian Origin (regardless of her place of birth) between ages of 18 and 25 is eligible to participate. The contestant must be a resident in the State of Texas for the past 6 months. Appropriate documentation regarding the age and residency status of the contestant must be submitted in order to meet the eligibility requirements.

2. Contestant Regulations: The contestant must behave in a manner befitting the title of Miss India Texas. All contestants will submit a registration fee of $50.00 (non-refundable). We expect many contestants to register, but only a maximum of 30 contestants will be chosen to participate in the pageant itself. If selected as one of the 30 contestants, there will also be a mandatory sponsorship fee of $195.00 (non-refundable). All checks should be made payable to Miss India Texas Pageant.

3. The MITP will conduct the Texas Regional Contest and may provide one or more winners to the next level. The regional contest will consist of four segments (a) Indian Dress, (b) Evening Gown, (c) Talent and (d) Question and Answer. The MITP, in its sole discretion, retains the right to alter the format. The MITP may also give franchises to a reputable individual/organization in various cities within the State of Texas to conduct the Miss India Texas Pageant.

4. Time Constraints: Due to time constraints each contestant will only be allowed three (3) minutes for talent category (NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE ALLOWED TO THIS RULE). The contestant must notify the MITP of any special technical need at least two weeks prior to the pageant. THE CONTESTANT WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO HAVE ANYONE ON THE STAGE DURING THE TALENT SEGMENT (I.E. MODEL, BACKUP SINGERS, ETC.).

5. Judges: the Miss India Texas Pageant (MITP) will select Judges for the Miss India Texas Pageant. They will be eminent respected members of the Indian, American and International Community. The MITP reserves the right to appoint all such judges. THE DECISION OF THE JUDGES, ONCE TABULATED, IS FINAL. THE MITP BEARS NO RESPONSIBILTY FOR THE DECISION OF THE JUDGES. Individual scores will be provided with an additional fee of $200.

6. Prizes: Past winners have received various gifts including jewelry, screen tests, picture portfolio, modeling opportunities, and an expense paid trip to the next level pageant.

7. Contestants: All contestants for Miss India Texas Pageant will be required to report to MITP no later than 8:00 AM on the day of the Miss India Texas Pageant to be held at the location for final rehearsal. All contestants are required to attend all meetings unless other arrangements have been made in advance. Contestants are responsible for their food, transportation and lodging expenses. MITP will not be liable for any loss of properties, physical injuries or any other claims by the contestants or their parents or representatives.

The foregoing rules are subject to change without notice by MITP. All decisions regarding the eligibility of the contestants and the conduct of the Miss India Texas Pageant, in general, are subject to the ultimate approval of the MITP.