The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has launched an official mascot named Udai to make Aadhaar services more accessible and easier to understand for the public. The initiative seeks to simplify communication about Aadhaar features, updates, authentication, offline verification, and responsible use, making the digital identity system more relatable for residents across India.
The mascot was unveiled at a ceremony in Thiruvananthapuram by UIDAI Chairman Neelkanth Mishra, who also recognised winners of the design and naming competition. The creation of Udai involved public participation, reinforcing Aadhaar’s core principle that engagement and trust are built through citizen involvement. UIDAI CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar emphasised that a mascot can help residents, especially those less familiar with technology, better understand Aadhaar services.
Udai was chosen through a national contest hosted on the MyGov platform, which received 875 entries from students, professionals, and designers. A multi-tier evaluation ensured fair selection of the final design and name.
In the design category, Arun Gokul from Thrissur, Kerala, won first prize, while Idris Dawaiwala from Pune and Krishna Sharma from Ghazipur secured second and third places. In the naming contest, Riya Jain of Bhopal suggested the winning name Udai, with Dawaiwala and Maharaj Saran Chellapilla of Hyderabad placing second and third.
UIDAI plans to integrate Udai across multiple communication platforms, including awareness campaigns, educational materials, and digital channels. Officials stated that the mascot would help explain Aadhaar updates and services in a more intuitive, engaging, and citizen-friendly manner, especially for populations with lower digital literacy.
This creative leap is part of UIDAI’s broader effort to enhance digital inclusion, ensuring that Aadhaar remains user-friendly for all citizens, regardless of age or literacy level. By leveraging a mascot, UIDAI hopes to humanise its messaging, improve public understanding, and foster trust in India’s foundational identity system, strengthening its role in the country’s growing digital ecosystem.
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