If you live in Delhi or the National Capital Region and were wondering whether you can burst crackers this Diwali, the Supreme Court has given an answer. It is a "yes", but with tight rules.
Quick read
- Green crackers are allowed in Delhi-NCR only on 7 and 8 November 2026.
- Bursting is allowed only from 6 am to 7 am and from 8 pm to 10 pm.
- Only CSIR-NEERI certified crackers with a QR code can be sold.
- The full ban returns from 9 November.
The court has allowed certified green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR on just two days, 7 and 8 November 2026, and only during two short time slots each day. From 9 November, the complete ban returns. Here is everything you need to know.
The rules, in plain words
When you can burst crackers
- Dates: 7 and 8 November only. Diwali falls on 8 November this year.
- Morning slot: 6 am to 7 am.
- Evening slot: 8 pm to 10 pm.
Bursting crackers outside these windows, or on any other day, is not allowed.
Which crackers are allowed
Only certified green crackers can be sold and used. These are crackers approved by CSIR-NEERI, the government's environmental research lab, and they carry a QR code you can scan to check whether they are genuine. Ordinary crackers cannot be sold, even if a shopkeeper says they are "green".
How it will be enforced
The court has told police and district officials to inspect shops at designated sale points regularly and to check QR codes. Vehicles entering Delhi-NCR can also be checked, to stop banned crackers being brought in from neighbouring states.
In past years, enforcement was patchy, and illegal crackers were easy to find. Whether this year is different will depend on how seriously local police take these checks.
What are green crackers?
Green crackers are designed to cause less pollution than traditional ones. They avoid some of the most harmful chemicals and are meant to cut particulate emissions by roughly 30 per cent, according to CSIR-NEERI. They are less polluting, not pollution-free. They still release smoke and fine particles, just less of it.
Why the court allowed them at all
A long fight
Delhi's air turns dangerous every winter. Smoke from crop burning, vehicle exhaust, dust, cold temperatures and still air combine to trap pollution close to the ground. Firecrackers add a sharp spike on Diwali night, often pushing air quality into the "severe" range.
The Supreme Court imposed a complete ban across Delhi-NCR in December 2024. In October 2025, it allowed green crackers for three days as a temporary measure. This year's order follows the same approach, with two days instead of three. It tries to balance people's right to celebrate a festival with everyone's right to breathe clean air.
The politics of breathing
Air pollution has also become a political issue. This week, the Congress party attacked the central government over Delhi's worsening air, arguing that India's legal limits for PM2.5, the tiny particles that enter deep into the lungs, are far looser than the World Health Organization's guidelines. The government says it is acting through programmes such as the National Clean Air Programme.
What you can do
- If you buy crackers, buy only from licensed shops and scan the QR code.
- Stick to the time slots. Fines and police action are possible.
- Keep children, the elderly and anyone with asthma or heart disease indoors on Diwali night, with windows closed.
- Consider a cracker-free Diwali. Lights, diyas, sweets and family time are what the festival is really about.
Diwali is a festival of light. With a little care, it does not have to be a festival of smog too.
Quick questions, quick answers
Can I burst crackers on Bhai Dooj or Govardhan Puja?
No. Under this order, crackers are allowed only on 7 and 8 November in Delhi-NCR.
How do I know a cracker is genuinely green?
Look for the CSIR-NEERI green logo and scan the QR code on the box. If there is no QR code, do not buy it.
Does the order apply outside Delhi-NCR?
This order is for Delhi and the National Capital Region. Other states and cities may have their own rules, so check with your local administration.
