UIDAI Aadhaar Mascot ‘UDAI’ Launched: Official Brand Guidelines & Rules
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has introduced a brand new official mascot named ‘UDAI’ to humanize the Aadhaar digital identity ecosystem. To prevent misuse and ensure uniform communication, UIDAI has simultaneously released the “Aadhaar Mascot Branding Guidelines Version 1.0”, detailing strict rules for its usage across all public and digital platforms.
Official UIDAI Launch — Version 1.0 Guidelines Active
Mascot Name: UDAI (Pronounced as ‘Uday’ / ‘उदय’)
Legal Status: Exclusive Intellectual Property of UIDAI
The introduction of ‘UDAI’ marks a shift towards a resident-first approach, presenting Aadhaar as a friendly, trustworthy, and highly inclusive companion. This character is specifically designed to simplify communication regarding secure authentication and digital identity usage for citizens of all age groups.
Decoding the ‘UDAI’ Mascot Design
Every visual element of the ‘UDAI’ mascot carries a specific institutional meaning carefully crafted by UIDAI:
- The Sun-like Head Design: Represents the expanding horizon of Aadhaar, symbolizing transparency, trust, and its ever-growing usage in daily life.
- The Tricolour Scarf: Worn around the neck, it signifies profound national pride.
- The Welcoming Gesture: Portrays relatability and accessibility, ensuring the mascot connects warmly with the public.
Strict Do’s and Don’ts for Using the Aadhaar Mascot
Because ‘UDAI’ is the legal intellectual property of UIDAI, unauthorized reproduction, commercial use, or modification is strictly prohibited and invites immediate legal or penal action. UIDAI has established a rigid compliance matrix for its usage.
✅ Mandatory Do’s:
Use only UIDAI-approved formats and poses.
Maintain exact original proportions, colors, and facial expressions.
Use exclusively for Aadhaar-related Information, Education & Communication (IEC).
Maintain visual dignity, neutrality, and cultural sensitivity.
❌ Strict Don’ts:
Never distort, stretch, recolor, or rotate the mascot.
Do not use ‘UDAI’ for satire, memes, or caricatures.
Never depict ‘UDAI’ in political, unsafe, or commercial contexts.
Do not animate, voice, or personify without explicit UIDAI authorization.
Does ‘UDAI’ replace the official Aadhaar Logo?
Absolutely not. The official branding guidelines explicitly state that the mascot ‘UDAI’ is NOT a replacement for the standard Aadhaar logo. The placement of the Aadhaar logo must continue exactly as mandated by the Aadhaar Brand Manual (ABM).
Approved Poses and Departmental Use
UIDAI divisions, registrars, and partner agencies are permitted to use ‘UDAI’ for awareness campaigns, digital/print communication, educational content, and social media initiatives. To maintain brand consistency, only pre-approved gestures can be utilized.
| Category of Pose | Approved Mascot Actions |
|---|---|
| Primary / Standard | Standing Signature Pose, Casual Standing, Sitting |
| Digital / Tech Focus | Using a Laptop, Showing a Mobile, Pointing at Mobile |
| Public Interaction | Holding a Baby, Teenager with School Bag |
| Action / Gestures | Thumbs Up, Running, Pointing out something, Holding Aadhaar PVC Card |
Adaptation Rule: If a specific campaign requires a new pose or animation, formal clearance must be obtained prior to use from the Media Division, UIDAI Head Office. Third parties cannot reproduce or adapt the mascot without written permission.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of the official Aadhaar Mascot?
The official Aadhaar mascot is named ‘UDAI’, which must be pronounced as “Uday” (उदय).
Why did UIDAI launch the UDAI mascot?
UIDAI launched ‘UDAI’ to humanize Aadhaar, presenting it as a friendly, trustworthy, and inclusive companion to help residents understand digital identity and secure authentication.
Can I use the Aadhaar mascot to make memes or YouTube videos?
No. The mascot is the intellectual property of UIDAI. The guidelines strictly prohibit using ‘UDAI’ for satire, memes, caricatures, or animating/voicing it without explicit written authorization.
Does the mascot replace the Aadhaar logo?
No. ‘UDAI’ does not replace the official Aadhaar logo. The logo must still be placed according to the Aadhaar Brand Manual (ABM).
हिंदी सारांश (Hindi Summary)
भारतीय विशिष्ट पहचान प्राधिकरण (UIDAI) ने आधार से जुड़ी सेवाओं को आम जनता के लिए अधिक सरल और अनुकूल बनाने के उद्देश्य से ‘उदय’ (UDAI) नामक आधिकारिक शुभंकर (Mascot) लॉन्च किया है। ‘उदय’ के सिर पर बनी सूर्य जैसी आकृति पारदर्शिता और बढ़ते उपयोग का प्रतीक है, जबकि तिरंगा स्कार्फ राष्ट्रीय गौरव को दर्शाता है। UIDAI ने स्पष्ट चेतावनी दी है कि यह शुभंकर उनकी बौद्धिक संपदा (Intellectual Property) है। बिना अनुमति के इसका व्यावसायिक उपयोग, मीम्स (Memes) बनाना, रूप बदलना या एनीमेशन बनाना पूरी तरह से गैरकानूनी है और इसके लिए दंडात्मक कार्रवाई की जा सकती है। ‘उदय’ किसी भी स्थिति में आधार के मुख्य लोगो (Logo) की जगह नहीं लेगा!
