Supreme Court Allows Green Crackers In Delhi-NCR For Two Days; Complete Ban Returns From November 9

Delhi-NCR firescrackers sale and bursting of certified green firecrackers for Diwali on 7th and 8th November, Monday has been allowed by the Supreme Court. But, the court explained that the complete ban on firecrackers will be re-activated from November 9.

The temporary relaxation allows for crackers to be popped between 6 am and 7 am, and 8 pm and 10 pm on both nights. It was passed by a bench of Justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale.

The bench had pointed out that the earlier ban had not significantly helped to improve air quality and stop the illegal sale and use of conventional firecrackers and, therefore, had taken a different course of action.

As noted above, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a two day relaxation, and for good reason.

The court also commented that the conventional firecrackers were still being sold illegally, and sometimes they are sold under the fake name of green crackers. It noted the blanket ban had been encouraging an illegal market and it had been limiting consumers from buying certified green products.

The bench said it lacked enough information to conclude that a ban is the best way to tackle pollution from firecrackers. It emphasized the need for improved implementation, coordination of authorities and periodic monitoring.

The court also considered the relationship between religious freedom and environmental protection. It noted that the right to practise religion as guaranteed by Article 25 of the Constitution was subject of other rights guaranteed under the Constitution, like the right to a healthy environment guaranteed under Article 21.

The bench highlighted the importance of the festivity for the religious, cultural and emotional development of people, and, as such, said, the celebration of Diwali should not be at the expense of environmental and public health.'

Rules Of Manufacture and Selling Green Crackers

The Supreme Court has permitted manufacturers who have obtained these green cracker certifications from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) and Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) to produce them from November 2 to 6.

All products on the CSIR-NEERI website can only be manufactured and sold. Conventional firecrackers must be kept away from approved products by being kept in a sealed package.

Only sales at designated locations determined by district authorities with consultation of police officials will be allowed. No online sales have been allowed.

Those traders whose licences have been cancelled will only be temporarily renewed from November 4 to 6 to sell the green crackers that have been approved. If any of the conditions of the court is violated, however, it will result in immediate cancellation.

The bench has also required QR codes on each box for each product. These codes should include information on manufacturer, NEERI registration, PESO / District magistrate's license, formulation and test certificate of the product.

The making and sale of firecrackers (also called 'laris') and the use of barium in crackers as well as products not approved by CSIR-NEERI is banned.

No Cracker Zones and Monitoring Measures

The hours of maximum permissible bursting will not apply in the vicinity of hospitals, nursing homes, education institutions, old-age homes and notified silence zones within a radius of 300 metres from them. These areas will be designated and announced as cracker-free areas.

The police and district administration teams will be conducting inspection of the sale points, checking the QR code and vehicles coming to Delhi-NCR to stop the illegal sale and transport of firecrackers.

Manufacturers and traders will also have to furnish monetary security deposits, which can be forfeited if they violate the court's directions.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has been instructed to prepare daily air quality reports from November 2 to 6, from November 7 to 8 and post-Diwali period (November 9 to 30) in consultation with the state pollution control boards.

Data from the hospitals will also be gathered to determine if there is an uptick in hospitalizations and reported death toll reported with pollution. State governments have been invited to provide affidavits affirming compliance and enforcement efforts and the impact of firecracker use on health by December 14.

The bench said that contempt action could be taken against officials for not implementing its directions.

Background of the Firecracker Ban Case

The new order comes after the Supreme Court in October 2025 gave a three-day window for the green crackers (17-20 October). A complete ban was enforced in December 2024 throughout Delhi-NCR.

The court pointed out that the earlier directives had not been followed up properly and that information had not been provided to make a full assessment of the environmental impact of the relaxation. It also identified that the sale of traditional crackers continued to be classified as green products.

The proceedings were initiated when a petition was filed on the behalf of three minor children including Arjun Gopal in 2015 for prohibiting the use and sale of firecrackers in Delhi NCR due to their deleterious impact on children and other vulnerable sections.

The bench, which stated it would not ban their use outright at this time, proposed the temporary easing would be meant to ensure consumers could access tested products whilst stringent protective measures are in place, and to provide scientific data on their environmental and health effects.

The Supreme Court has listed the matter for further compliance on December 16.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susmita Modak

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Always love to raise the unraised matter. In a world of worries, I am always ready to come over my comfort zone and taking the step ahead of spreading awareness.

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