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A medical student from India has been crowned Miss World 2017 after beating fierce competition to take home the coveted title.

Manushi Chhillar took first prize at the coveted pageant, which was held tonight in China.

20-year-old Chhillar was clearly surprised with by her win, as television coverage of the event showed.

After scooping the top prize, Manushi tweeted: "Thank you, everyone, for your constant love, support and prayers!"

She added: This one's for #India."

It's been 17 years since the country has won the title, according to the Miss India twitter account, and the sixth time an Indian woman has been crowned the winner.

(Image: AFP) (Image: AFP) (Image: AFP)

The first runner up of the pageant, which was held at Sanya, China, was Andrea Meza, of Mexico.

In third place was Stephanie Hill from England.

Contestants from more than 100 countries take part in the 67th Miss World beauty pageant .

Manushi beat off competition from 108 other women to take the crown, which was handed over to her by 2016's winner, Stephanie Del Valle, from Puerto Rico.

(Image: AFP)

(Image: AFP)

(Image: AFP) (Image: AFP)

The 20-year-old, whose parents are both doctors, said in an interview that mothers around the world deserve the highest salary of every profession.

She admitted: "My mother has been my biggest inspiration, so I have to say, a mother's job. It is not always about cash, but love and respect as well. A mother deserves that the most."

Before her win, she said: ""The only thing I believe is certain in life is uncertainty, and this is what is amazing about the pageant."