In a major ruling ahead of Diwali, the Supreme Court of India on Monday, November 2, 2026, permitted a temporary two-day relaxation for the sale and bursting of certified green firecrackers across Delhi-NCR.
A bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and P.B. Varale opted for a strictly regulated framework over a blanket prohibition, making it clear that a complete ban on all firecrackers will automatically come back into effect from November 9, 2026.
Permitted Timings and Limited Two-Day Window
Under the apex court’s guidelines, certified green firecrackers can only be burst within two designated time slots on Friday, November 7, and Saturday, November 8, 2026:
- Morning Slot: 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM
- Evening Slot: 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Complete Ban Reinstatement: Full prohibition resumes on November 9, 2026.
Explaining the rationale, the bench observed that previous total bans failed to curb air pollution effectively while giving rise to an unchecked illegal market selling conventional crackers disguised as green products:
“Though imposition of a blanket ban seems to be the ideal solution, we are of the opinion that this Court, at this point in time, is short of adequate data to decide whether or not a complete ban would be the best solution to solve the problem of environmental pollution caused by bursting firecrackers.”
Strict Manufacturing Rules and Mandatory QR Codes
To prevent counterfeit products from flooding the market, the Supreme Court laid down stringent compliance protocols for manufacturers and authorities:
- CSIR-NEERI & PESO Certification: Only green crackers manufactured between November 2 and November 6 by units certified by CSIR-NEERI and PESO will be permitted for sale.
- Mandatory Non-Transferable QR Codes: Every box must carry a unique QR code detailing manufacturer credentials, PESO licensing, and chemical formulation. Selling without or tampering with QR codes will result in immediate license cancellation.
- Prohibited Items: Firecrackers joined in series (laris), products containing barium salts, and online e-commerce sales remain strictly banned.
- Designated Vending & Silence Zones: Sales will take place exclusively at authorized government-designated venues. Bursting is completely prohibited within a 300-meter radius of hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and old-age homes.
Monitoring and Impact Assessment
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and state boards have been directed to collect daily air, sand, and water samples alongside hospital admission metrics through November 30 to evaluate the environmental and health impacts.
State governments must submit complete compliance affidavits to the court by December 14, 2026, ahead of the next hearing scheduled for December 16.
