The reigning Binibining Pilipinas-Universe Maria Venus Raj has been dethroned after beauty pageant organizers found "inconsistencies" on her birth certificate, according to ABS-CBN's "TV Patrol" Monday.

As per the contest's rules, the Camarines Sur native will be replaced by Bb. Pilipinas runner-up Helen Nicolette Henson who will now represent the country in the Miss Universe Pageant.

Raj, who is of mixed Indian-Filipino heritage, was crowned Bb. Pilipinas-Universe last March 7 in a glittering four-hour pageant held at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. She was also voted Miss Friendship, Best in Long Gown, and Best in Terno.

Raj, whose reign lasted barely a month, inherited the title from Pamela Bianca Manalo.

Raj graduated cum laude with a degree in Communication Arts from Bicol University. Prior to competing in the Bb. Pilipinas, Raj was working as an Information Assistant for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. She also moonlighted as a fashion model.

The 21-year old wasn’t the first Bb. Pilipinas title-holder to have been stripped of her crown and title.

Other winners who suffered a similar fate in the past included Anjanette Abayari (Bb. Pilipinas-Universe, 1991), Tisha Silang (Bb. Pilipinas-Universe, 1998), and Janelle Bautista (Bb. Pilipinas-Universe, 1999).

Abayari, Silang and Bautista were dethroned due to issues on their citizenship – both Abayari and Bautista being US citizens while Silang is Canadian.