With Supreme Court permitting green crackers; over 40% jump likely in Delhi NCR families that will burn crackers this Diwali; Many likely to burn regular crackers as well

October 18, 2025, New Delhi: Ahead of Diwali, the Supreme Court has allowed the sale and burning of green crackers with QR codes in Delhi-NCR, from October 18 to October 20 with certain restrictions. Diwali will be celebrated on October 20 this year.

On a trial basis, the SC has allowed only offline sale of green crackers approved by CSIR–National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) in Delhi-NCR, as a temporary relaxation of the firecracker ban.

Bursting firecrackers will be allowed only between 6 am and 7 am, and 8 pm to 10 pm. “As a temporary measure, we allow bursting of crackers from October 19 to 20. Crackers are smuggled into Delhi-NCR, and they cause more damage than green firecrackers,” Chief Justice of India BR Gavai said on October 15 (Wednesday) reading the order relaxing the blanket ban on firecrackers in Delhi-NCR.

“We have to take a balanced approach, permitting it in moderation while not compromising with the environment,” he added.

A Supreme Court bench comprising the Chief Justice and Justice K Vinod Chandran maintained that the sale and bursting of only certified green crackers will be permitted in designated locations. Police patrol teams will conduct regular checks to ensure that only green crackers with QR codes are being sold.

No crackers from outside Delhi-NCR are allowed to be sold within the region. Any violation is to be punished, and the license and registration of the culprit is to be revoked. The court has also banned the sale and purchase of firecrackers via e-commerce websites. However, as observed during Diwali 2024, despite cracker ban in place, one could hear their sounds all across Delhi NCR.

Given that the top court has given permission for green crackers in Delhi NCR this year, LocalCircles conducted a Delhi NCR wide survey to better understand what residents of the 5 cities are likely to do this Diwali. The survey received 38,000 responses from residents of Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad and Ghaziabad. 66% respondents were men while 34% respondents were women.

24% of families in Delhi NCR surveyed confirm burning crackers last Diwali (2024)

Despite the ban on burning crackers last year, many residents of Delhi NCR bought crackers and burned them during the Diwali festivities. The result was a rise in air pollution post Diwali. The survey asked residents of Delhi NCR, “How did you and your family participate in usage of Diwali crackers last year (2024)?” Out of 19,249 who responded to the question 40% stated that “we didn’t do Diwali crackers at all”; 4% of respondents stated that “we didn’t buy them but participated in one or more fire cracker events with friends and neighbours”; 18% of respondents stated that “we bought them and burnt them”; 6% of respondents stated that “someone gifted and we burnt them”; 6% of respondents did not give a clear answer and 24% of respondents stated the question is “not applicable (We have done a cracker free Diwali for many years now out of choice)”. In essence, 24% families in Delhi NCR surveyed confirm burning crackers last Diwali (2024).

34% of families in Delhi NCR surveyed are likely to burn crackers this Diwali; Half of them may also burn regular crackers in addition to the green ones

The air quality in Delhi has already slipped into the “poor” category. The survey next asked residents of Delhi NCR, “What do you plan to do this Diwali in regard to firecrackers?” Out of 19,135 who responded to the question 49% stated that they “will not be burning any as they cause pollution”; 17% of respondents stated that they “will be burning only green crackers”; 17% of respondents stated that they “will be burning both green and regular crackers”; and 17% of respondents stated that the question is “not applicable (We have done a cracker free Diwali for many years now out of choice)”. To sum up, 34% of families in Delhi NCR surveyed are likely to burn crackers this Diwali; Half of them may also burn regular crackers in addition to the green ones.

In summary, the survey reveals that 24% of families in Delhi NCR surveyed confirm having burnt fire-crackers last Diwali (2024). This year, given the relaxation given by the top court, 34% of families in Delhi NCR surveyed are likely to burn crackers during Diwali. What is worse, half of those burning may also burn regular crackers in addition to the green ones which also clearly indicates that regular crackers are likely being brought in from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan into Delhi. The relaxation given by Supreme Court and permitting green crackers will only make it easier to get the regular crackers into the capital.