Supreme Court Allows Limited Use of Green Firecrackers in Delhi-NCR for Diwali

In a recent ruling, the Supreme Court has permitted the limited use of certified green firecrackers in the Delhi-NCR region for the Diwali festival on November 7 and 8. This decision comes with strict regulations, including designated times for use and a complete ban resuming on November 9. The court's approach aims to balance festive celebrations with environmental concerns, as previous bans did not effectively curb illegal firecracker sales. Manufacturers must adhere to specific guidelines, and sensitive areas will remain protected from firecracker use. Read on for more details about the court's ruling and its implications.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 2, 2026, 16:30 IST

Conditional Permission for Green Firecrackers

New Delhi - In light of the upcoming Diwali festival, the Supreme Court has granted conditional approval for the sale and use of certified green firecrackers in the Delhi-NCR region on November 7 and 8. According to the court's directives, these firecrackers can only be ignited between 6 AM to 7 AM and from 8 PM to 10 PM. However, the court made it clear that a complete ban on the sale and use of firecrackers will be reinstated starting November 9.

Regulated Approach to Firecracker Use

The bench, comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and P.B. Varale, opted for a regulated approach instead of a total ban. They noted that previous complete prohibitions did not significantly improve air quality nor did they curb the illegal sale of traditional fireworks. The court remarked that the complete ban had inadvertently led to a thriving black market for fake and banned firecrackers. Therefore, they decided to regulate the manufacture and sale of scientifically certified green firecrackers for a limited period.

Manufacturing and Sale Regulations

As per the court's order, only manufacturers certified by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) and the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO) will be allowed to produce approved green firecrackers between November 2 and 6. The sale of these firecrackers will be restricted to specific locations determined by district authorities, and online sales will be completely prohibited. Each box of genuine green firecrackers must feature a non-transferable QR code for identification. Additionally, the production and use of series firecrackers and those containing barium will remain strictly prohibited.

Restrictions in Sensitive Areas

From a safety and environmental perspective, the use of firecrackers will be entirely banned within a 300-meter radius of hospitals, nursing homes, old age homes, educational institutions, and quiet zones, which will be designated as 'no-cracker zones.' To monitor the impact of air pollution, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has been instructed to collect daily air quality reports and data from November 2 to November 30. All relevant state governments must submit compliance reports and health impact affidavits to the court by December 14.