In a major breakthrough before Diwali 2025, India’s Supreme Court has approved conditional permission to use green firecrackers in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). The judgment, made on October 11, will permit the sale and bursting of green crackers for five days during the Diwali festival as a trial relaxation.
The top court made it clear that only NEERI- and PESO-certified ‘green’ firecrackers will be permitted, completely excluding the old polluting types. The court stressed that the relaxation will balance citizens’ right to festivities with the need to curb air pollution in the national capital region urgently.
Residents will be allowed to burst crackers only between 8 PM and 10 PM on Diwali, as per the order. For New Year, it will be allowed from 11:55 PM to 12:30 AM, and during Gurpurab, an hour each in the morning and evening will be allowed.
This action is a temporary reversal from the outright prohibition earlier imposed under the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) order, which was preceded by a 2024 Supreme Court directive prohibiting the production, storage, sale, and utilization of all firecrackers in Delhi under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
But the court reaffirmed that the production and sale of green crackers would continue to be strictly controlled. Only authorized manufacturers can make them, and unlicensed or spurious green crackers will be strictly dealt with. The Delhi government and police forces have been directed to check for compliance during the festival season.
The Supreme Court also asked the Central Government to create a uniform policy across the country regarding firecrackers, as inconsistent regulations in various states confuse people and cause differential enforcement. The bench noted that while Delhi is beset with serious air problems, the control of pollution needs to be a national agenda, not regional.
The last word regarding continuing this relaxation after Diwali will be based on air quality monitoring and compliance reports. The court will see the effect post-festival season before making it a permanent ruling.
As the national capital gears up for the festival of lights, this prudent green nod by the Supreme Court is an interim relief to citizens and manufacturers alike that enforces the bigger picture of cleaner air and environmental protection.
