Final answer:
India's Harnaaz Sandhu won the Miss Universe 2021 pageant. She brought the crown back to India after a 21-year hiatus since Lara Dutta won in 2000.
Step-by-step explanation:
The winner of the Miss Universe 2021 pageant was India's Harnaaz Sandhu. She was crowned on December 12, 2021, surpassing contestants from around the world, including those from Mexico, Brazil, the Philippines, and Thailand. Harnaaz Sandhu's win brought the Miss Universe crown back to India after 21 years, with the last title before 2021 being won by Lara Dutta in 2000.