CSIR-NEERI

The Supreme Court has granted a limited relaxation of firecracker restrictions in Delhi-NCR for Diwali, allowing people to use certified green crackers on November 7 and 8 during specified morning and evening hours. The temporary permission will end on November 8, with the complete ban on firecrackers set to return from November 9.

The decision offers residents a narrow opportunity to include fireworks in their Diwali celebrations while keeping restrictions in place to address the region’s recurring air pollution problem. The court has made clear that the relaxation is conditional: only approved green crackers can be used, strict time limits must be followed, and fireworks are prohibited near designated sensitive locations.

Diwali will be celebrated on November 8 this year. The order therefore covers the day before the festival and the festival itself, rather than creating a general permission to use firecrackers throughout the festive season.

When Can Residents Use Green Crackers?

Under the court’s directions, certified green firecrackers may be burst in Delhi-NCR only during two daily windows on November 7 and 8:

• Morning: 6 am to 7 am

• Evening: 8 pm to 10 pm

Fireworks outside these periods will not be covered by the temporary relaxation. Residents should not interpret the order as permission to use conventional firecrackers or to continue celebrations with fireworks after the permitted hours.

The Supreme Court has also directed authorities to ensure that the restrictions are communicated clearly to the public. Compliance will depend not only on residents understanding the permitted timings but also on local officials monitoring activity and taking action when violations occur.

The court’s approach seeks to accommodate festival traditions for a limited period without abandoning pollution-control measures altogether.

Fireworks Prohibited Near Hospitals, Schools and Other Sensitive Areas

The temporary permission does not apply everywhere. The court has prohibited the bursting of firecrackers within a 300-metre radius of hospitals, nursing homes, primary and district health centres, old-age homes and notified silence zones.

Educational institutions are also covered by the same restriction.

Authorities have been directed to identify these areas as “No-Cracker Zones”, mark their boundaries on the ground and publicise the restrictions. These measures are intended to make the rules easier for residents to understand and for enforcement teams to implement.

Such restrictions are particularly relevant for people who may be more vulnerable to smoke, noise and other effects associated with fireworks. Hospitals and healthcare facilities need to protect patients, while old-age homes may accommodate residents who are sensitive to environmental disturbances.

The practical impact will depend on how clearly the boundaries are marked and whether people follow the restrictions. Residents planning celebrations should check local instructions rather than assume that every public space or residential neighbourhood is covered by the same conditions.

Only Certified Green Crackers Are Permitted

The Supreme Court has not opened the market to all types of fireworks. Its directions distinguish approved green crackers from conventional or unauthorised products.

Manufacturers holding valid certification for green crackers from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI), along with the required certification from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), have been permitted to manufacture only eligible products listed on the CSIR-NEERI website during the specified period from November 2 to November 6.

The order also prohibits the manufacture and sale of firecrackers joined together in series, commonly known as ladis or garlands. Crackers containing barium, as well as products that have not been approved by CSIR-NEERI as green crackers, are not permitted.

These requirements are intended to prevent conventional fireworks from being sold or used under the label of environmentally friendlier products. They also place responsibility on manufacturers, traders and enforcement agencies to ensure that products meet the applicable standards.

Consumers should therefore avoid assuming that a packet is legally permitted simply because its packaging describes it as a green or low-pollution firecracker. Certification and compliance with the court’s directions are central to the temporary exemption.

Why Green Crackers Matter in the Pollution Debate

Green crackers have been developed to reduce certain emissions and other environmental effects associated with conventional fireworks. Their formulations and designs aim to limit some polluting substances, smoke and noise.

However, the term “green” does not mean pollution-free. Even approved products can release particulate matter and other emissions when used. Their environmental impact also depends on the number of crackers burned, local weather conditions and the concentration of fireworks activity in a particular area.

Delhi-NCR regularly faces serious air-quality challenges during the post-monsoon and winter periods. Low temperatures, weak winds and atmospheric conditions can contribute to the accumulation of pollutants. Vehicle emissions, construction dust, industrial activity and other sources also affect air quality.

Firecrackers can add to this burden during major celebrations, especially when large numbers are used within a short period. The Supreme Court’s restrictions reflect the challenge of balancing cultural practices with concerns about public health and environmental protection.

The temporary permission does not establish that green crackers are harmless. Instead, it creates a limited exception under specific conditions while the broader restrictions remain in force.

Enforcement Will Determine Whether the Rules Work

The court’s decision also puts the focus on enforcement. Restrictions can have limited practical value if prohibited products remain widely available or if people continue using fireworks outside authorised hours.

Authorities across Delhi-NCR will need to monitor manufacturing, distribution, sales and use. They must also communicate the rules clearly so that residents understand the difference between permitted green crackers and prohibited fireworks.

The court has directed that manufacturers and traders provide monetary security, with violations potentially resulting in the forfeiture of the deposit. This provision is intended to strengthen compliance and create a financial consequence for those who disregard the order.

Enforcement is likely to be especially important in the days immediately before Diwali, when demand for fireworks increases and officials may face pressure to prevent illegal products from entering the market.

Residents also have a role to play by checking product certification, following the authorised timings and avoiding fireworks in restricted zones. Choosing lamps, lights and other non-firework decorations can provide alternatives for households that want to celebrate without adding smoke or noise.

What Happens After November 8?

The relaxation is temporary. The complete firecracker ban across Delhi-NCR is scheduled to be restored from November 9, 2026.

That means the permission should not be interpreted as a permanent change in the region’s firecracker policy. It applies only to the two specified dates and remains subject to the court’s conditions.

For residents, the immediate message is straightforward: only certified green crackers are permitted, only during the designated hours on November 7 and 8, and not within the specified 300-metre exclusion zones. Conventional, barium-containing and unauthorised fireworks remain prohibited.

The decision represents a limited compromise between Diwali celebrations and the continuing need to control air pollution. Whether that balance succeeds will depend on responsible public behaviour and effective enforcement.

The key takeaway: Delhi-NCR has received a two-day, tightly regulated window for green firecrackers, not a general lifting of the ban. From November 9, the complete prohibition returns under the court’s order.