Udai : Mascot for Aadhaar
Why in news?
Udai is the official mascot of Aadhaar, launched by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to make Aadhaar services more relatable, simple, and citizen-friendly. Named "Udai" (à ¤‰à ¤¦à ¤¯), meaning "rise" or "dawn" in Hindi, it represents accessibility and empowerment in digital identity services.​
About Udai
- Udai is the newly introduced mascot for Aadhaar, unveiled by UIDAI in January 2026.
- It was chosen through a national design and naming competition on the MyGov platform, with hundreds of entries submitted.
- The mascot is designed as a resident-facing communication companion, helping citizens better understand Aadhaar services and processes.
Selection Process
- The mascot emerged from a nationwide contest on the MyGov platform in 2025, receiving 875 entries.
- Arun Gokul from Thrissur, Kerala, won first prize for design, while Riya Jain from Bhopal took top honors for the name.​
Purpose of Udai
- Simplify communication: Aadhaar involves technical processes like authentication, updates, and offline verification. Udai makes these easier to grasp.
- Promote responsible use: It encourages citizens to use Aadhaar safely, with awareness about selective sharing of personal information.
- Build trust & inclusion: By giving Aadhaar a friendly face, UIDAI aims to make the system more approachable for all age groups.
- Visual storytelling: Udai will be used across platforms to explain Aadhaar services in a clear, engaging way.
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