Born from Public Participation
UIDAI adopted an open and inclusive approach to conceptualise the mascot by launching nationwide design and naming competitions on the MyGov platform. The initiative witnessed enthusiastic participation from across the country, receiving as many as 875 entries from students, professionals and creative designers.
A multi-tier evaluation process ensured transparency and fairness, resulting in a mascot shaped by public imagination and refined through institutional diligence.
Winners from Across India
Arun Gokul from Thrissur, Kerala, won the first prize in the mascot design competition. Idris Dawaiwala from 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 emerged as the first prize winner. Idris Dawaiwala of Pune and Maharaj Saran Chellapilla from Hyderabad bagged the second and third prizes respectively.
Making Aadhaar Communication Simpler
UIDAI Chairman Neelkanth Mishra unveiled the mascot and felicitated the winners at a function held in Thiruvananthapuram. He stated that the launch of Udai marks another milestone in UIDAI’s efforts to make Aadhaar communication more inclusive, simple and approachable for over a billion residents.
Emphasising the importance of public involvement, UIDAI CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar said the overwhelming response to the competition reaffirmed Aadhaar’s core principle that participation builds trust and acceptance.
A Companion for the Digital Journey
Deputy Director General, UIDAI, Vivek C. Verma noted that as Udai begins its journey as a narrator and companion, it will help residents connect with Aadhaar-related information effortlessly, especially in an era of rapid digital adoption.
The mascot is expected to play a key role in awareness campaigns and digital outreach, strengthening citizen engagement with Aadhaar services.
