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The Supreme Court has permitted the manufacture, sale and bursting of approved green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR for a limited period ahead of Diwali, while directing the restoration of the complete firecracker ban from November 9, 2026.

A bench of Justice MM Sundresh and Justice Prasanna B Varale permitted the bursting of firecrackers between 6 AM and 8 PM on November 7, and between 7 AM and 10 PM on November 8.

The Court also temporarily restored the licences of firecracker traders whose licences had been cancelled, allowing them to sell approved green crackers between November 4 and 6.

The Court has emphasised that the relaxation is temporary and subject to stringent safeguards governing manufacture, sale and use of firecrackers. It has directed the authorities to ensure that only CSIR-NEERI-approved green crackers were sold and that conventional firecrackers were not allowed to enter the market under the guise of green crackers.

The Court's directions are broadly in line with last year's order which allowed a similar relaxation for Diwali. In the latest order, the Court emphasised that it not only intends to regulate the upcoming Diwali situation, but also to bring about a holistic change for which public perception regarding firecrackers needs to change.

"Regardless of the directions passed by this Court to regulate the upcoming situation, the endeavour is to bring about a holistic change for which the public perception has to change. One must embrace the Precautionary Principle by being proactive to prevent issues, instead of merely reacting after they have occurred. While parting, we wish to make a sincere plea regarding the feasibility of raising awareness by the members of the Bar, prominent personalities, including celebrities and sportspersons, to lend their voice and influence through a voluntary public-awareness campaign. Such participation can play a significant role in encouraging citizens to celebrate the upcoming festivals in a safe, responsible, and environmentally conscious manner, without causing harm to public health, or aggravating the already precarious air quality", the Court concluded.

Crackers prohibited within 300 metres of hospitals, educational institutions

The Court has directed that firecrackers shall not be burst within a 300-metre radius of hospitals, nursing homes, primary and district health centres, old-age homes and notified silence zones.

These areas would be declared 'No-Cracker Zones', marked on the ground and publicised. The restriction would also apply to educational institutions.

The Court directed the authorities to ensure compliance and said efforts should be made to avoid inconvenience to persons suffering from ailments.

Sale only of approved green crackers; QR codes mandatory

The Court has directed that manufacturers possessing valid green cracker certification from CSIR-NEERI and licences from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) are permitted to manufacture only those green crackers uploaded on the CSIR-NEERI website between November 2 and 6.

The boxes containing green crackers have to be completely sealed to ensure that conventional or unauthorised firecrackers are not mixed with them.

The manufacture and sale of firecrackers joined in series, commonly known as 'ladis', and garlands are prohibited. Firecrackers containing barium and those not approved by CSIR-NEERI as green crackers would are also prohibited.

Each box has to carry a product-specific QR code issued for the particular product and batch. Scanning the QR code should disclose the manufacturer, NEERI registration, PESO/DM licence, formulation and test certificate.

The Court directed that QR codes must be non-transferable and their sale would constitute a violation leading to cancellation of registration or licence.

The licences of traders which had been cancelled have been restored temporarily from November 4 to 6 to facilitate the sale of approved green crackers procured from CSIR-NEERI-certified manufacturers. The Court added that such licences would be cancelled immediately if traders were found violating the Court's directions.

Manufacturers must furnish monetary security; licences can be cancelled for violations

The Court directed the concerned authorities to require all firecracker manufacturers and traders in Delhi-NCR to furnish monetary security in a substantial amount, to be determined by the authorities.

The security deposit would immediately stand forfeited if a manufacturer or trader violates the Supreme Court's directions or applicable regulations.

Online sale prohibited, sale only at designated locations; police to conduct inspections

The Court directed the District Collectors/Commissioners of districts falling within Delhi-NCR, in consultation with the concerned District Superintendents of Police, to identify and designate locations where green crackers could be sold.

The sale of firecrackers is prohibited at all other locations, including online platforms.

The police authorities, in coordination with the district administration, have been directed to constitute patrolling teams comprising sufficient police officers and other personnel to monitor the designated sale locations. The teams should be familiar with the Supreme Court's directions and the green cracker products approved by CSIR-NEERI.

The Court has directed the patrolling teams to conduct regular inspections of designated locations, verify the authenticity of QR codes and ensure that only approved green crackers were being sold.

Illegal or conventional firecrackers have to be confiscated immediately, and prosecutions initiated against offending manufacturers and traders, including those found violating the Court's directions and applicable regulations.

The authorities are also directed to check vehicles entering Delhi-NCR to prevent the transportation of illegal and conventional firecrackers into the region.

The Court has directed that banners be displayed at designated sale locations, including shops, informing the public about the identification of CSIR-NEERI-approved green crackers, the requirement of sealed boxes, permissible sale and bursting dates and timings, and the procedure for lodging complaints against violators.

Shopkeepers and traders also have to display copies of the Supreme Court's directions prominently in their shops.

CPCB, State Pollution Boards to monitor AQI daily till November 30

The Court directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), in consultation with the State Pollution Control Boards and their regional offices in districts falling within NCR, to monitor AQI readings and prepare daily reports covering three periods.

A pre-Diwali report would have to specify air quality for every day between November 2 and 6. A Diwali report would cover November 7 and 8, while a post-Diwali report would have to specify air quality for every day between November 9 and 30.

The CPCB and State Pollution Control Boards are also directed to collect samples of sand and water during the period for comparative analysis.

The Court directed inspection of AQI monitoring stations alleged to be non-functional. Any defects found have to be rectified immediately to ensure effective monitoring.

The authorities are also directed to undertake post-festival cleaning, including solid waste management and disposal, and cleanse the most polluted areas using water sprinklers or other measures.

The Court has directed State authorities, including the Delhi Government, to publish the Winter Action Plan 2026, Air Pollution Mitigation Plan 2026 and CAQM Annual Action Plan, along with advisories, in leading newspapers and news channels.

Schools to sensitise children; Delhi metro to broadcast awareness messages

The Court directed the Secretaries of the Education Departments of States falling within the National Capital Region to take adequate steps to sensitise schoolchildren about the impact of pollution, particularly during festivals.

The concerned State departments are directed to publish the Supreme Court's directions and measures proposed by the State machinery on their official websites and social media handles.

The Court further directed the State to instruct the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to use its audio systems to disseminate awareness messages about the harmful effects of bursting firecrackers on the environment and health.

The Court directed the State authorities in Delhi-NCR to file affidavits detailing the monetary security imposed on manufacturers and traders, designated sale locations, enforcement measures, patrolling and prosecutions initiated against violators.

The authorities are also directed to furnish AQI reports and an affidavit stating the precise increase in-patient admissions in hospitals and health centres across Delhi-NCR till November 30 following the festival.

All reports and affidavits have to be filed by December 14, 2026.

The Court warned that contempt action would be taken against responsible officials for failure to comply with its directions.

The matter has been listed for further compliance on December 16, 2026.

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