Supreme Court allows sale and use of green firecrackers from October 18 to 21

Firecrackers can be used only in designated areas, with timings adjusted for regional festivals.

The Supreme Court (SC), on Wednesday, allowed the temporary sale and use of green firecrackers in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). The order follows multiple petitions seeking permission to manufacture and sell “eco-friendly” crackers during festive occasions.

The sale and bursting of green crackers will be allowed from October 18 to 21, ruled a bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran.

“We have to take a balanced approach,” stated CJI Gavai, acknowledging concerns from both authorities and the firecracker industry. The court also noted that conventional firecrackers are often smuggled and contribute significantly to pollution.

Furthermore, the apex court, in a bid to enforce compliance, directed police authorities to set up patrolling teams across the region to ensure that only permitted green crackers with QR codes are sold. Random inspections will be conducted, and violators will receive notices, as per the order.

Moreover, the sale of firecrackers through e-commerce platforms has been strictly prohibited. The usage is limited to 6 pm to 10 pm on permitted days, ruled the top court.

The court also mentioned that previous blanket bans, in place since 2018, had limited impact on controlling air quality, except during the COVID-19 lockdown. The new order seeks a regulated approach, balancing environmental concerns with the cultural importance of festivals.

Other key directions include:

>> Only green crackers approved by NEERI and PESO to be allowed.
>> Sales to be conducted through licensed traders and manufacturers.
>> Periodic inspections will monitor compliance with chemical limits, including barium, lithium, arsenic, antimony, lead, and mercury.
>> Firecrackers can be used only in designated areas, with timings adjusted for regional festivals like Narak Chaturdashi.
>> Strict action, including license suspension and seizure of manufacturing units, will be taken against unauthorised production.

In addition, the bench addressed concerns over “fake green crackers” being sold under false labels, recommending stricter testing and monitoring.

The CJI remarked, “Crackers are smuggled into Delhi-NCR and they cause more damage than green firecrackers,” adding, “We have to take a balanced approach, permitting it in moderation while not compromising with the environment.”

Suggestions such as a “Green Cess” were proposed to discourage the production of crackers causing pollution.

The SC bench also directed the Central Pollution Control Board and state pollution control boards in the NCR to “monitor pollution levels during Diwali and submit reports in advance.”

Notably, the Supreme Court’s October 15 decision revisits the 2018 Arjun Gopal judgment, which permitted only less-polluting crackers sold through licensed channels with restricted bursting times. The new order maintains these safeguards while also providing temporary relief to both manufacturers and the public.

Soon after the pronouncement of the order, taking to microblogging site X, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, hailed the court's directive, “We express our gratitude to the Honorable Supreme Court for granting permission to use green firecrackers in the capital at the special request of the Delhi government. This decision respects the sentiments and enthusiasm of the public during sacred festivals like Diwali, while also reflecting a balanced approach towards environmental protection."

दिल्ली सरकार के विशेष आग्रह पर राजधानी में ग्रीन पटाखों के उपयोग की अनुमति प्रदान करने हेतु माननीय सर्वोच्च न्यायालय का आभार।

यह निर्णय दीपावली जैसे पवित्र पर्व पर जनभावनाओं और उत्साह का सम्मान करता है, साथ ही पर्यावरण संरक्षण के प्रति संतुलित दृष्टिकोण को दर्शाता है।

दिल्ली…

— Rekha Gupta (@gupta_rekha) October 15, 2025

The detailed order is still awaited.

The top court, on October 10, had reserved its verdict on pleas seeking permission to manufacture and sell green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre and NCR states, had urged the court to “permit bursting of green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR on occasions like Diwali, Guru Purab and Christmas without any restrictions on the timing.”