Jan 08: In a landmark step towards making Aadhaar communication more relatable and citizen-friendly, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on Thursday unveiled the official Aadhaar mascot “Udai” (उदय). Designed as a resident-facing communication companion, Udai aims to simplify public understanding of Aadhaar services and promote responsible and informed usage of the world’s largest digital identity system.
The launch took place at a UIDAI function in Thiruvananthapuram and was led by UIDAI Chairman Shri Neelkanth Mishra, who also felicitated the winners of the national mascot design and naming competitions. The initiative reflects UIDAI’s ongoing commitment to inclusive, transparent, and people-centric communication for over a billion Aadhaar holders across the country.
Udai (उदय) has been conceptualised as a friendly guide that will help residents better understand various Aadhaar-related services, including demographic and biometric updates, authentication, offline verification, selective sharing of personal information, adoption of new technologies, and best practices for secure and responsible Aadhaar usage. By giving Aadhaar a recognisable and approachable identity, UIDAI aims to reduce complexity and bridge communication gaps, especially for first-time users and digitally underserved sections.
What makes the mascot especially significant is its people-driven origin. UIDAI adopted an open and inclusive approach by organising national competitions for both the design and naming of the mascot on the MyGov platform. The initiative received an overwhelming response, with 875 entries submitted by students, designers, and professionals from across India. Each entry reflected diverse perspectives on what Aadhaar represents as a public digital good.
Following a rigorous multi-tier evaluation process to ensure fairness and transparency, Arun Gokul from Thrissur, Kerala, was announced as the winner of the mascot design competition. Idris Dawaiwala of Pune, Maharashtra, and Krishna Sharma from Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, secured the second and third positions respectively. In the mascot naming competition, Riya Jain from Bhopal won the first prize, followed by Idris Dawaiwala of Pune and Maharaj Saran Chellapilla of Hyderabad in second and third places.
Speaking at the launch, UIDAI Chairman Neelkanth Mishra said the introduction of Udai marks another milestone in the authority’s efforts to make Aadhaar communication simpler, more inclusive, and more relatable. He emphasised that clear and accessible communication is essential for strengthening trust and awareness among residents who rely on Aadhaar for a wide range of services.
UIDAI CEO Shri Bhuvnesh Kumar highlighted that the open national competition reaffirmed a core principle of Aadhaar—that participation builds trust and acceptance. The enthusiastic response from citizens, he noted, demonstrated the deep public connect Aadhaar has achieved as a foundational digital infrastructure.
Adding to this, Vivek C. Verma, Deputy Director General, UIDAI, stated that as Udai begins its journey as a narrator and companion, it will help residents connect with Aadhaar-related information more easily and confidently, especially in an era of rapid digital transformation.
The launch of Udai (उदय) underscores UIDAI’s vision of citizen-first digital governance, where technology is humanised through clear, friendly, and inclusive communication. As Aadhaar continues to evolve, the mascot is expected to play a key role in enhancing awareness, trust, and ease of access, reinforcing Aadhaar’s position as a trusted public good at the heart of India’s digital ecosystem.
 on Thursday unveiled the official Aadhaar mascot “Udai” Aadhaar communication){kind=link}