The Supreme Court on Monday granted a limited relaxation in the restrictions on firecrackers in Delhi-NCR, permitting the sale and bursting of certified green firecrackers on November 7 and 8, coinciding with the Diwali celebrations. The relaxation, however, will operate within strictly prescribed time windows and geographical restrictions, with the complete prohibition on firecrackers set to return from November 9.
A Bench comprising Justice M.M. Sundresh and Justice Prasanna B. Varale directed that green firecrackers may be burst only between 6 am and 7 am and 8 pm and 10 pm on the two permitted days.
The Court prohibited the bursting of firecrackers within a 300-metre radius of hospitals, nursing homes, primary and district health centres, old-age homes, educational institutions and notified silence zones. These locations will be designated as ‘No-Cracker Zones’, with authorities required to clearly demarcate and publicise their boundaries.
Emphasising the need to prevent conventional and unauthorised firecrackers from entering the market under the label of green crackers, the Court clarified that only products approved by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) would be permitted. Firecrackers containing barium, along with products lacking the requisite certification, will continue to remain prohibited.
The Bench also permitted manufacturers possessing valid CSIR-NEERI and Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) certifications to manufacture approved green firecrackers between November 2 and 6. Each packet must carry a product- and batch-specific QR code containing relevant details, including the manufacturer’s identity, registration, licence, formulation and test certificate.
The Court further prohibited the manufacture and sale of firecrackers joined in series, commonly known as ‘ladis’, as well as garland-type crackers. Online sales have also been barred, with the sale of permitted green firecrackers restricted to designated outlets identified by the concerned authorities.
In a temporary relief to traders, the Court directed that licences of traders whose permissions had earlier been cancelled would be restored between November 4 and 6 to facilitate the sale of approved green firecrackers. However, the relaxation will be withdrawn if any trader is found violating the prescribed conditions.
To ensure compliance, the authorities have been directed to regulate the movement of firecrackers into Delhi-NCR and prevent the supply of conventional and prohibited products. Police and district administration officials will undertake inspections at designated sale points, verify QR codes and seize unauthorised firecrackers. Action, including prosecution, will be initiated against manufacturers and traders found violating the directions.
The Court has also directed pollution-control authorities to undertake air-quality monitoring before, during and after Diwali and submit periodic reports assessing the environmental impact of the limited relaxation. The authorities have been asked to file compliance affidavits detailing the enforcement measures undertaken by December 14, 2026. The matter has been listed for further consideration on December 16, 2026.
The proceedings arise from Arjun Gopal v. Union of India, W.P. (C) No. 728 of 2015, in which the Supreme Court has been examining the issue of firecracker-related pollution and regulatory measures in Delhi-NCR.
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