Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) launched ‘Udai’ (उदय), the official Aadhaar mascot– as a resident-facing communication companion to simplify public understanding of Aadhaar services and promote responsible usage.
What is Aadhaar Mascot ‘Udai’?
- Udai (उदय) is a people-friendly visual identity created to make Aadhaar-related information simple, relatable and inclusive.
- It will be used to explain Aadhaar services such as:
- Aadhaar updates
- Authentication
- Offline verification
- Selective data sharing
- Adoption of new technologies
- Privacy-conscious and responsible usage
Objective: Bridge the gap between technical Aadhaar processes and citizen understanding, especially for a diverse population of over 1 billion residents.
Key Aadhaar Services Highlighted via Udai
- Aadhaar update services
- Authentication processes
- Offline Aadhaar verification
- Selective sharing of personal information
- Awareness about new technologies and responsible Aadhaar usage
Why ‘Udai’ Matters
- Moves beyond text-heavy advisories to visual communication
- Makes Aadhaar messaging accessible to:
- Elderly
- First-time digital users
- Rural and semi-urban populations
- Reinforces responsible Aadhaar usage, not just enrolment
Purpose & Significance
- Enhances ease of understanding of Aadhaar services
- Improves citizen awareness about privacy, security and data sharing
- Supports digital inclusion and trust in Aadhaar ecosystem
- Aligns with UIDAI’s vision of resident-centric governance
Mascot Selection Process
National Design & Naming Competition
- Conducted on the MyGov platform
- Total entries received: 875
- Participants included students, professionals, designers from across India
- Selection Process: Multi-tier evaluation ensuring transparency and fairness
Winners
Mascot Design Competition
- Arun Gokul (Thrissur, Kerala)
- Idris Dawaiwala (Pune, Maharashtra)
- Krishna Sharma (Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh)
Mascot Name Competition
- Riya Jain (Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh) – Name: Udai
- Idris Dawaiwala (Pune, Maharashtra)
- Maharaj Saran Chellapilla (Hyderabad, Telangana)
Unveiling
- Mascot unveiled by Neelkanth Mishra, Chairman, UIDAI
- Event held in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
About UIDAI
- Statutory Authority: Established under the Aadhaar Act, 2016
- Operational since: 12 July 2016
- Ministry: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
- Headquarters: New Delhi
Key Functions
- Issue 12-digit Aadhaar numbers
- Provide biometric & demographic authentication
- Ensure data security and privacy
- Enable digital inclusion (DBT, banking, telecom, welfare schemes)
- Regulate the entire Aadhaar lifecycle
UIDAI Composition
- Chairperson
- Two part-time Members
- CEO (also Member-Secretary)
What is Aadhaar?
- 12-digit unique identity number for Indian residents
- Based on minimal demographic & biometric data:
- Name, DOB/age, gender, address
- Fingerprints, iris scan, facial photograph
- Serves as proof of identity & address
- Lifetime validity
- Enables access to government and private services