Delhi–NCR : SC grants conditional permission to burst ‘Green firecrackers’ during Diwali

(‘Green firecrackers’ are those that cause minimal harm to the environment and help control pollution — Eco-friendly firecrackers.)

New Delhi – Ahead of Deepavali, the Supreme Court on Wednesday,15th October 2025 relaxed the blanket ban on fireworks in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) and allowed the sale of green fireworks approved by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) from October 18^th to 20^th. A Bench of Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran restricted their use to October 19th and 20th, between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m., and 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.

“We have to take a balanced approach, taking into account the conflicting interests and permitting in moderation, while not compromising the environmental concerns arising,” the Bench observed. It noted that a complete prohibition during the festive season had been counterproductive, resulting in the smuggling and use of conventional fireworks that were far more harmful than the green variants developed in recent years.

Five directives issued by the Supreme Court

1.Patrolling teams shall regularly inspect every green firecracker manufacturer. The QR codes printed on the containers of green firecrackers shall be uploaded on an official website for public verification.

2.The bringing of firecrackers into the NCR (National Capital Region) from outside areas shall not be permitted.

3.If counterfeit or non-compliant firecrackers are found, the licences of the concerned manufacturers or sellers shall be cancelled or suspended.

4.The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards shall monitor the Air Quality Index (AQI) daily from 18 October and submit reports to the Court.

5.Water samples from locations where firecrackers are extensively used shall also be collected and analysed.