The Supreme Court has permitted the sale and use of green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR this Diwali 2025, with strict conditions on timings, QR-code verification, and licensed vendors to ensure cleaner, safer celebrations.
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NEW DELHI: In a major relief for firecracker manufacturers and festive enthusiasts, the Supreme Court of India on Wednesday permitted the sale and use of green firecrackers in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) during Diwali 2025, but under strict regulations to control pollution.
A Bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai and Justice Vinod Chandran passed the order while hearing pleas from state governments and firecracker manufacturers seeking a relaxation of the previous blanket ban.
While delivering the order, the Court emphasized the need for a “balanced approach” that protects both environmental interests and industry livelihoods.
“Conventional firecrackers are smuggled which cause more damage. We have to take a balanced approach,”
the Bench observed.
“When the ban was imposed, there was not much difference in air quality, except during the COVID period.”
The Court also noted that the concept of green crackers, firecrackers designed to emit fewer pollutants, emerged following the Arjun Gopal judgment, and that emissions have substantially reduced over the past six years thanks to research and testing by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI).
Court’s Order: Sale and Bursting Allowed With Conditions
The sale and bursting of green firecrackers will be permitted from October 18 to October 21, the Court ruled.
“Sale of green cracker will be permitted from 18th October to 21st October,”
the Bench stated.
“Police authority to constitute patrolling team to keep an eye that only permitted products with QR codes are to be sold.”
The use of these crackers will be restricted to specific time slots:
- Morning: 6 AM to 7 AM
- Evening: 8 PM to 10 PM
on two days — the day before Diwali and on Diwali day itself.
The Court added that any violation would invite strict action, including cancellation of licenses and confiscation of illegal products.
To prevent smuggling and unregulated distribution, the Supreme Court has banned online sales of firecrackers.
“There shall be no supply of firecrackers from e-commerce websites,”
the order said.
Sales will only be allowed through licensed vendors registered with NEERI, operating from designated sale points identified by each district collector. Police and pollution control officials will patrol these sites to ensure compliance and conduct random checks.
Acknowledging the realities of enforcement, the Court said that a complete ban on firecrackers had inadvertently encouraged the smuggling of conventional, high-emission products.
“A complete ban leads to smuggling of crackers causing more damage to air quality,”
the Bench noted.
“There are genuine industry concerns. When the earlier ban was imposed, air quality did not improve much, except during COVID.”
The judges cited NEERI’s contribution in developing eco-friendly alternatives and highlighted that green firecrackers have significantly reduced emissions since their introduction.
Key Directions from the Supreme Court Order
- Sale of green crackers (as listed on NEERI’s website) allowed from October 18–21, 2025, only at designated locations identified by district collectors.
- Police patrolling teams to monitor sale points, along with officials from the State Pollution Control Board.
- Only QR-coded, NEERI-approved green firecrackers permitted for sale and use.
- Violation notices to be issued to those selling or manufacturing banned products — licenses to be cancelled.
- Usage restricted to 6 AM–7 AM and 8 PM–10 PM on two days (pre-Diwali and Diwali).
- No online or out-of-region sale of firecrackers.
- Only registered manufacturers can supply products; unregistered items to be immediately confiscated.
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During the earlier hearing on October 10, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had passionately urged the Court to lift the ban.
“There is nothing on record to show that poor air quality is because of firecrackers,” Mehta argued.
“If there is a two-hour timing… one hour goes in persuading parents only! We all were children! The child inside me is persuading the child in your lordships.”
Senior advocates K. Parameshwar and J. Sai Deepak, representing manufacturers, also supported a regulated sale rather than a total prohibition.
“An already regulated industry was regulated further. Everyone was painted with a broad brush,”
said Deepak.
“Manufacturers had themselves said identify the offenders among us and punish them.”
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