India’s Supreme Court has permitted the use of less-polluting green firecrackers during Diwali in Delhi-NCR, despite severe air pollution levels, as a temporary measure to balance festive traditions with environmental concerns. The ruling, issued on October 15, 2025, allows green crackers that emit 20-30% fewer pollutants than traditional ones, even as the capital’s air quality index (AQI) reached hazardous levels, with PM2.5 concentrations 25-30 times above World Health Organization safe limits.
The Supreme Court’s decision relaxes a year-long blanket ban on firecrackers imposed in April 2025, specifically permitting green crackers under strict regulations. This move acknowledges that previous bans have been ineffective in curbing firecracker use entirely and have led to smuggling of more polluting varieties. By regulating green crackers, the court aims to reduce environmental harm while allowing residents to celebrate Diwali, citing the 2018 Arjun Gopal case as a precedent for this balanced approach.
Air pollution in Delhi has worsened significantly, with the Central Pollution Control Board reporting PM2.5 levels between 300 and 400 in most areas on the day of the ruling, and exceeding 400 in worst-hit zones. These fine particulate matters pose serious health risks, capable of penetrating deep into the lungs and causing respiratory illnesses, especially affecting children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions. The government’s AQI advisories indicate that levels above 300 can harm healthy individuals over prolonged exposure.
The court outlined detailed guidelines for the sale and use of green crackers, restricting sales to licensed traders from October 18 to 20, 2025, and confining bursting to designated areas. Use is allowed only during specific time windows: 6-7 AM and 8-10 PM on the day before Diwali and on Diwali itself. Additionally, the court mandated that green crackers must be approved by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and bear QR codes to prevent counterfeiting, with patrol teams enforcing compliance and confiscating illegal products.
Reactions to the ruling have been mixed, with some residents and traders welcoming the opportunity to observe religious traditions fully, while environmentalists and health experts express concern that even reduced-emission crackers could exacerbate the pollution crisis. Past enforcement challenges raise doubts about compliance, as social media debates highlight the tension between cultural practices and public health. The Delhi government has concurrently activated the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), banning coal and firewood use and restricting diesel generators to combat pollution.
The court’s decision is on a test case basis for this Diwali, and it has ordered the Central Pollution Control Board to monitor air quality from October 14 to 25, with reports to be submitted for evaluation. If air quality deteriorates significantly, stricter measures may be reinstated. This approach reflects broader efforts to address northern India’s winter pollution, driven by factors like stubble burning, vehicular emissions, and low wind speeds, while seeking sustainable solutions for urban environmental health.