After more than a decade of Aam Aadmi Party rule in Delhi that also coincided with the worsening of air quality, 2025 is the first Diwali-air pollution test for the BJP. … For too long, the BJP has been saying that Diwali was being unfairly singled out as the main polluter by environmentalists. Now, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta faces her first trial-by-firecracker.

The Delhi government, in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, is ready to launch its ₹3.21-crore cloud seeding project soon after Diwali to curb severe air pollution. The initiative awaits IMD’s final approval and favourable cloud conditions for the first artificial rain trial.

Scientists warn that even if green crackers reduce pollution by 30 %, the very large number of fireworks burst during Diwali in Delhi-NCR could cancel out that gain.

They argue the scale of use, weak enforcement, and mixing with conventional crackers limit any real benefit to air quality.

The Supreme Court has allowed the use of green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR from October 18 to 20. The court said they may be used only between 6 am–7 am and 8 pm–10 pm.
The court stressed this is a trial measure, and strict checks will be done to make sure rules are followed.

In 2024, the Supreme Court had said, “If firecrackers are burst in this fashion, it affects the fundamental right to health of citizens.” 

As Diwali nears, the Supreme Court has allowed sale and bursting of green crackers in Delhi-NCR for a limited period. These are fireworks made to emit less pollution and toxic gases. But experts caution that even with reduced emissions, the sheer number of crackers may still harm air quality.

Limited use of ‘green’ crackers allowed, balancing celebration with pollution control

The Supreme Court has allowed the limited use of green crackers during Diwali in Delhi-NCR, under strict monitoring to control pollution levels. The court reiterated that only crackers meeting environmental safety standards can be sold and used, and banned any non-compliant firecrackers.

Can green crackers truly make Delhi’s air cleaner this Diwali? Or does the festive celebration still risk choking the city’s already fragile atmosphere? News9’s Kartikeya Sharma unpacks the science, policy, and politics behind green crackers in conversation with Dr. Sanjeev Agrawal, former Addl. Dir., CPCB; CSE’s Sharanjeet Kaur; Environmental Activist Bhavreen Kandhari; and EnviroCatalysts’ Sunil Dahiya.

The Supreme Court has relaxed the complete ban on firecrackers in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR). This Diwali, the sale and bursting of green crackers has been permitted, albeit with certain conditions. Green crackers do not contain harmful chemicals like sulphur nitrates, arsenic, magnesium, sodium, lead, and barium. But are they less polluting than traditional crackers?

The Supreme Court allowed the bursting of firecrackers from 6 am to 8 am and again from 8 pm to 10 pm within the designated period. The sale of green crackers will also be allowed only between 15 and 25 October at specified sites.

As the Supreme Court gave a nod to green crackers during Diwali, environmental experts have expressed concern saying that without proper enforcement and public awareness, the move could worsen Delhi’s already toxic air.

Ahead of a Supreme Court decision, people in Delhi are split on "green crackers". Some residents support the eco-friendly fireworks for Diwali, while others are against any firecrackers because of the city's poor air quality.

For experts, the experiment lacks rationale in absence of cutting emissions at the source

Supreme Court may lift the firecracker ban in Delhi-NCR for five days during Diwali, with strict time slots. Decision awaits final order.

In a significant policy reversal, the Supreme Court on Friday permitted the sale and bursting of fire-crackers in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) for five days during Diwali … ‘For the time being, we will allow it during the five days of Diwali on a trial basis. However, we will confine it to certain time limits,’ the CJI-led bench stated.

The Supreme Court of India on Friday said it would lift the blanket ban on fire-crackers in Delhi-NCR for five days during Diwali, allowing limited celebrations under regulated conditions. As per the Centre’s proposal, fire-crackers may be used between 8 pm and 10 pm on Diwali and other major festivals, 11.55 pm to 12.30 am on New Year’s Eve, and for one-hour slots on Gurpurab.

Firecrackers may make headlines during Diwali, but they are only a temporary reason for the city's air pollution.

The Supreme Court of India indicated on Friday that it may relax the absolute ban on fire-crackers in Delhi–NCR during Diwali, giving tentative approval to limited use under prescribed conditions. A bench headed by B. R. Gavai with Justice K. Vinod Chandran reserved its order after listening to arguments, signalling willingness to permit fireworks for a brief period around the festival.

While "green crackers" are less toxic than regular fireworks, experts warn they will still pollute Delhi's air. Using them will add to the city's severe pollution and make it harder to breathe, especially during winter.