The government of India is working on redesigning the packaging of its condom brand, Nirodh, to make it more attractive to customers.
The brand has been selling the condoms in white plastic wrappers with texts printed on the wrapper's body which has reportedly failed to draw customers towards the government-supplied products.
However, the health ministry has set up a panel that has been reviewing pictures and more attractive colours for the wrappers of the condoms.
The Nirodh condoms are produced by state-owned HLL Lifecare.
Reuters quoted market research agency Ken Research as saying that India's male condom market was more than Rs950cr ($152m) in 2011 and is expected to grow 18% this year.
However, the government-supplied condoms failed to make its mark in the market after facing stiff competition from brands like Durex, made by the Reckitt Benckiser Group and KamaSutra, made by the Indian unit of Australia's Ansell.
Both the prominent brands use vivid colours and models to attract customers.
The condoms that are given to customers for free cost the exchequer Re1.8 for a single piece in comparison to a Durex condom that costs Rs12. However, the government is willing to spend more in its attempt to make the product attractive to youngsters.
Reuters quoted a health official as saying that the repackaged condoms will be much more popular. "Nirodh is not finding favour right now," the official said. "But you will be tempted to pick up the product," he said.
However, the officials clarified that though the packaging will have attractive images of couples, they will not be erotic.
