Entries open for NHAI Mascot Design Competition (India)

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), in partnership with MyGov, has launched the NHAI Mascot Design Competition to invite creative entries from Indian citizens for designing an official mascot representing India’s highway development, road safety, innovation, sustainability, and connectivity goals.

The winning mascot will become NHAI’s official visual identity for campaigns, events, digital platforms, publications, and public awareness initiatives. The competition offers total prize money of ₹1,75,000 along with certificates of recognition for winners.

About NHAI Mascot Design Competition

The NHAI Mascot Design Competition aims to create a unique and memorable mascot that reflects the organisation’s vision of building safe, sustainable, and efficient road infrastructure across India.

The mascot should represent key values associated with NHAI, including:

• Seamless connectivity across regions
• Road safety awareness
• Innovation and technology
• Trust and reliability
• Sustainable infrastructure development
• Nation-building through improved transportation networks

The selected design will be used as a visual ambassador for NHAI across multiple communication channels.

Purpose of the Competition

The competition encourages citizens, especially creative professionals, designers, and young innovators, to contribute ideas that represent India’s growing highway ecosystem.

The selected mascot should:

• Create stronger public recognition of NHAI
• Support awareness campaigns related to highways and road safety
• Represent modern infrastructure development
• Connect emotionally with citizens
• Be adaptable across different digital and physical platforms

Prize Details

The competition provides total prize money of ₹1,75,000.

Prize distribution:

• First Prize: ₹1,00,000
• Second Prize: ₹50,000
• Third Prize: ₹25,000

All winners will also receive a certificate of recognition from NHAI.

Who is Eligible?

The competition is open to:

• Indian citizens only
• Individual participants with creative design ideas
• Designers, artists, students, and innovators interested in visual communication

Participants must submit their entries through the official MyGov portal.

Mascot Design Requirements

The proposed mascot should reflect NHAI’s objectives and must follow specific design requirements.

The design should be:

• Original and creative
• Visually attractive and easily recognizable
• Suitable for digital and print applications
• Adaptable for different sizes and formats
• Effective in both colour and monochrome versions

The mascot should be suitable for use on:

• NHAI websites
• Mobile applications
• Social media platforms
• Posters and banners
• Publications
• Official documents
• Public awareness campaigns

Submission Guidelines

Participants must submit their mascot design along with a short concept note.

Required submission materials include:

• Original mascot design
• Concept note of maximum 200 words
• PDF format submission through MyGov portal

The concept note should explain:

• Inspiration behind the mascot
• Meaning and symbolism of the design
• Connection with NHAI’s vision and mission

Important Design Rules

Participants must ensure that their submissions meet the following conditions:

• Designs must be original
• AI-generated designs are not allowed
• Plagiarised or copied designs will be rejected
• The design should not violate intellectual property rights of others

The selected winner must provide editable source files in EPS or SVG format.

Ownership and Intellectual Property Rights

The winning mascot design will become the exclusive intellectual property of NHAI.

After selection:

• NHAI will have complete ownership rights over the mascot
• The winner must provide editable design files
• NHAI may use the mascot for all official communication and promotional purposes

How to Apply for NHAI Mascot Design Competition

Applicants can submit their entries through the MyGov online platform.

Steps to apply:

1. Visit the MyGov competition portal.
2. Register or log in using personal details.
3. Read the official competition guidelines.
4. Prepare the mascot design and concept note.
5. Upload the required files in the prescribed format.
6. Submit the entry before the deadline.

The last date for submission is one month from the competition launch date mentioned on the MyGov portal.

Why Participate in the NHAI Mascot Competition?

This competition provides an opportunity for creative individuals to contribute to India’s infrastructure story.

Benefits of participation include:

• Chance to design NHAI’s official mascot
• National-level recognition
• Prize money up to ₹1 lakh for the winner
• Certificate from NHAI
• Opportunity to showcase creativity on a government platform

Tips for Creating a Winning Mascot Design

Participants should consider the following tips:

• Keep the design simple and memorable
• Use symbols connected with highways, connectivity, and safety
• Ensure the mascot works well in different sizes
• Create a design that appeals to diverse audiences
• Avoid unnecessary complexity and excessive details
• Explain the concept clearly through the description

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who can participate in the NHAI Mascot Design Competition?

Only Indian nationals are eligible to participate in the competition.

2. What is the total prize money for the competition?

The total prize money is ₹1,75,000, divided among three winners.

3. Can participants submit AI-generated mascot designs?

No. AI-generated designs are not permitted. Entries must be original creations by participants.

4. What format should the concept note be submitted in?

The concept note must be submitted in PDF format and should not exceed 200 words.

5. Where should participants submit their entries?

Entries must be submitted online through the MyGov.in portal.

6. What happens to the winning mascot design?

The winning mascot becomes the exclusive intellectual property of NHAI, and the organisation can use it across its official platforms.

7. Can one participant submit multiple designs?

Participants should follow the submission limits and guidelines provided on the official MyGov competition page.

Conclusion

The NHAI Mascot Design Competition provides Indian citizens with an opportunity to contribute creatively to the identity of India’s highway development mission. By designing a mascot that represents connectivity, safety, innovation, and sustainability, participants can help shape NHAI’s public image while gaining national recognition and financial rewards.