UIDAI Update: Aadhaar gets a "face"! Now ask all your questions to "Uday" and get answers in a jiffy..
A major update has been made regarding the Aadhaar card, which has become the identity of every citizen. It has now taken on a friendlier form. UIDAI has introduced an official mascot, "Uday," to improve its communication with the public. People often have questions about Aadhaar address updates, verification, or other issues that they hesitate to ask directly. Uday will bridge this gap.
Uday was introduced on January 8, 2026, during events in Delhi and Thiruvananthapuram. The most significant feature is that this mascot was not created by any agency, nor was its name conceived, but rather by the general public. This move demonstrates how the biggest initiative of "Digital India" is now completely based on public participation.
"Uday": A Friend
According to UIDAI, "Uday" is not just a cartoon, but will serve as a companion for millions of Indians. With Uday, you'll be able to understand complex technical rules simply and engagingly.
What will Uday teach you: How to update your photo or address in Aadhaar? How to lock your biometrics? What is paperless offline verification? How to use your Aadhaar securely? Uday will explain all this.
Uday was born in a national competition.
The story of Uday's birth is quite interesting. UIDAI organized a national design and naming competition on the MyGov portal. A total of 875 applications were submitted by students, professionals, and designers from across the country. They were evaluated at multiple levels to select a mascot that reflected both Indian culture and modern technology.
So who created it?
Artificial artists from across the country won this competition. Let's first talk about the winner of the design competition.
First Prize: Arun Gokul (Thrissur, Kerala) - He gave Uday its current form.
Second Prize: Idris Dawaiwala (Pune, Maharashtra).
Third Prize: Krishna Sharma (Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh).
Now comes the turn of the winners of the naming contest.
First Prize: Riya Jain (Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh) - she suggested the name 'Uday'.
Second Prize: Idris Dawaiwala (Pune).
Third Prize: Maharaj Saran Chellapilla (Hyderabad).
How to talk to Uday?
To talk to Uday, the Aadhaar mascot, you need to visit the Aadhaar website (https://uidai.gov.in/). You'll see the Aadhaar mascot in the bottom right corner of the home page, and you'll need to click on it.
Upon clicking, a large dialog box will open. Click on "Get Started."
A box will then open where you can ask any question. Suppose you ask, "How to update your address in Aadhaar?"
As soon as you enter your question, you'll receive an answer immediately. You'll also receive some guidance.
So, whatever Aadhaar-related question you have, you can ask Uday on the Aadhaar website.
Why was a mascot necessary?
UIDAI Chairman Neelkanth Mishra explained that Aadhaar is now a part of the lives of over a billion people. Therefore, a mascot makes it easier to reach those who are not very educated or those who are afraid of technical jargon. As new technologies are introduced into Aadhaar, 'Uday' will spread awareness about them.
What did the officials say?
CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar said that by soliciting the name and design of the mascot from the public, UIDAI reiterated the core principle of Aadhaar: that participation builds acceptance and trust. DDG Vivek C. Verma said that 'Uday' will now provide easy access to all Aadhaar-related information.
Conclusion
Aadhaar's mascot, 'Uday', is a new symbol of the modernization of Indian public services. It will not only expand Aadhaar's reach but also help combat fraud and misinformation. When people connect with a face (Mascot), information becomes easier to understand and absorb. The launch of 'Uday' marks another milestone in India's digital journey.
Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Zee Business. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.
