The Supreme Court on Monday permitted the bursting of approved green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR for two days during the Diwali celebrations, November 7 and 8, 2026, subject to strict restrictions on timings, locations and the type of firecrackers that may be used.
The Bench of Justice MM Sundresh and Prasanna B Varale has allowed fireworks only during two time slots on both days: 6 am to 7 am and 8 pm to 10 pm. The complete ban on firecrackers across Delhi-NCR will come back into force from November 9.
The Court has also prohibited the bursting of firecrackers within a 300-metre radius of hospitals, nursing homes, old-age homes and notified silence zones. Educational institutions have also been included in the restricted areas, which are to be treated as ‘No-Cracker Zones’. Authorities have been directed to identify and publicise the boundaries of these zones.
The Court has further directed authorities to prevent the circulation and sale of illegal and conventional firecrackers. Only green crackers approved by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) will be permitted. Firecrackers containing barium and those that do not meet the prescribed certification requirements will remain prohibited.
Also Read: Supreme Court Moots Green Crackers-Only Approach, Public Awareness Ahead Of Diwali
Manufacturers with valid certification have been allowed to manufacture green firecrackers between November 2 and 6. The Court has directed that each packet carry a QR code containing details of the product and its batch. It has also prohibited online sales of firecrackers, directing that their sale be permitted only through designated outlets.
Key directions
● Green firecrackers permitted only on November 7 and 8, 2026.
● Permitted timings: 6 am–7 am and 8 pm–10 pm.
● No bursting within 300 metres of hospitals, nursing homes, old-age homes, educational institutions and notified silence zones.
● Only CSIR-NEERI-approved green crackers permitted; barium-containing and conventional firecrackers prohibited.
● Online sales prohibited; sales restricted to designated locations.
● Complete ban to resume from November 9, 2026.