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Delhi-NCR residents can burst certified green crackers on November 7 and 8 for Diwali 2026. Check the Supreme Court’s permitted timings, sale restrictions and no-cracker zones.
Diwali 2026: The Supreme Court has allowed certified green crackers in Delhi-NCR on November 7 and 8, subject to strict timings and restrictions. (AI photo)
Diwali 2026: With Diwali 2026 approaching, the Supreme Court has announced a temporary relaxation of the firecracker ban in Delhi-NCR, allowing residents to burst certified green crackers on November 7 and 8, subject to strict conditions. The decision comes amid continued concerns over air pollution in the national capital region and follows the court’s efforts to regulate the manufacture, sale and use of firecrackers.
Diwali will be celebrated on November 8, 2026. Under the Supreme Court’s October 29 order, made public on November 2, residents can use only approved green firecrackers during specified morning and evening hours on November 7 and 8. The complete ban on firecrackers will return from November 9, 2026.
Read More: SC Allows Bursting Of Green Firecrackers In Delhi-NCR For Diwali, Sets Strict Conditions
The court has also introduced strict conditions for manufacturers, traders and buyers, including mandatory product-specific QR codes, sealed packaging and designated sale locations. Firecrackers containing barium, conventional crackers sold under the guise of green crackers and firecracker garlands remain prohibited.
Here is a detailed look at the latest Diwali 2026 firecracker rules and restrictions in Delhi-NCR.
Diwali 2026: When Can You Burst Firecrackers In Delhi-NCR?
The Supreme Court has permitted the bursting of certified green firecrackers for only two days in Delhi-NCR. Residents must strictly follow the prescribed time slots.
At A Glance
The Supreme Court announced a temporary relaxation of the firecracker ban in Delhi-NCR to allow certified green crackers on November 7 and 8, 2026.
Licensed traders are permitted to sell approved green firecrackers at designated locations from November 4 to November 6, 2026.
Residents are allowed to burst green firecrackers only between 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM on the permitted dates.
A complete ban on firecrackers will be restored across Delhi-NCR beginning on November 9, 2026.
Firecrackers remain strictly prohibited within a 300-metre radius of hospitals, educational institutions, old-age homes, and notified silence zones.
The permitted dates and timings are:
- November 7, 2026: 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
- November 8, 2026 (Diwali): 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
- November 9, 2026 onwards: Complete ban on firecrackers will be restored.
This means firecrackers can be burst for a maximum of three hours each day?
No. The permitted duration is one hour in the morning and two hours in the evening, amounting to three hours per day.
Residents must not burst firecrackers outside these specified windows. The temporary permission applies only to approved green crackers and does not allow the use of conventional fireworks.
Delhi-NCR Firecracker Sale Rules: When Can You Buy Green Crackers?
The Supreme Court has temporarily restored the licences of traders whose licences were cancelled following the earlier ban. These licences will remain valid for the limited period between November 4 and November 6, 2026, to facilitate the sale of approved green crackers.
However, the relaxation does not mean that every firecracker shop can sell its products freely.
The following conditions must be followed:
- Only licensed traders can sell approved green firecrackers.
- Sales are permitted only at locations designated by the district authorities.
- The products must come from manufacturers certified by CSIR-NEERI and licensed by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO).
- Online sales and purchases of firecrackers are prohibited.
- Firecracker boxes must be properly sealed to prevent the mixing of approved green crackers with conventional or unauthorised products.
District Collectors and Commissioners, in consultation with the concerned police authorities, have been directed to identify designated sale locations across Delhi-NCR.
QR Code Verification: How To Identify Genuine Green Crackers?
One of the most important conditions introduced by the Supreme Court concerns the verification of green firecrackers.
Every box must carry a product-specific and batch-specific QR code. Buyers should scan the QR code before purchasing crackers to check whether the product is genuine and approved.
The QR code should provide details such as:
- Manufacturer’s name.
- CSIR-NEERI registration.
- PESO or relevant District Magistrate licence details.
- Product formulation.
- Test certificate.
The QR codes must be non-transferable and linked to the specific product and batch. Selling or misusing QR codes can lead to cancellation of the manufacturer’s or trader’s registration or licence.
Buyers should avoid purchasing products with missing, damaged or unverifiable QR codes. A label claiming that a product is green or pollution-free is not sufficient proof of certification.
Which Firecrackers Are Banned In Delhi-NCR?
The Supreme Court has made it clear that the temporary relaxation does not permit the sale or use of all types of firecrackers.
The following products remain prohibited:
- Barium-based crackers: Firecrackers containing barium are not permitted.
- Conventional firecrackers: Products that do not have CSIR-NEERI green cracker approval cannot be sold or used.
- Firecracker garlands and ladis: Firecrackers joined in series, commonly known as ladis, and garlands are prohibited.
- Unauthorised products: Crackers being sold under the label of green crackers without valid certification are not allowed.
- Online firecracker sales: Buying and selling firecrackers through e-commerce platforms and online networks is prohibited.
Authorities have also been directed to check vehicles entering Delhi-NCR to prevent the transportation of illegal and conventional firecrackers into the region.
Delhi-NCR No-Cracker Zones: Where Is Bursting Firecrackers Prohibited?
Even during the permitted hours on November 7 and 8, residents cannot burst firecrackers everywhere.
The Supreme Court has imposed a 300-metre restriction around sensitive locations. These areas are to be declared and publicised as no-cracker zones.
Firecrackers are prohibited within a 300-metre radius of:
- Hospitals and nursing homes.
- Primary and district health centres.
- Old-age homes.
- Educational institutions.
- Notified silence zones.
The restrictions apply even during the two permitted time windows. Authorities have been directed to mark and publicise these zones to ensure that residents are aware of the restrictions.
The court has also emphasised that necessary steps must be taken to prevent inconvenience to people suffering from illnesses and other health conditions.
What Has The Supreme Court Said About Monitoring And Enforcement?
The Supreme Court has expressed concern over the failure to effectively implement earlier firecracker restrictions in Delhi-NCR.
In its October 29 order, the court noted that conventional firecrackers had continued to be sold under the guise of green crackers despite the earlier blanket ban. It said better coordination and stricter monitoring were necessary.
The court has directed police and district administration teams to inspect designated sale locations, verify QR codes and ensure that only approved products are available. Authorities can confiscate illegal and conventional firecrackers and initiate action against those violating the directions.
Manufacturers and traders will also have to furnish monetary security in an amount determined by the authorities. The security can be forfeited if they violate the court’s directions.
In a further development on November 3, the Supreme Court flagged media reports alleging that different kinds of firecrackers were being openly sold in Delhi markets despite the restrictions. Justice MM Sundresh asked the Additional Solicitor General to look into the alleged violations.
The development highlights the importance of strict enforcement of the temporary relaxation.
AQI Monitoring In Delhi-NCR After Diwali 2026
The Supreme Court has also directed pollution-control authorities to monitor air quality across Delhi-NCR before and after Diwali.
The Central Pollution Control Board, in consultation with the State Pollution Control Boards and their regional offices, has been asked to prepare daily air-quality reports covering three periods:
- Pre-Diwali: November 2 to November 6, 2026.
- Diwali: November 7 and November 8, 2026.
- Post-Diwali: November 9 to November 30, 2026.
Authorities have also been asked to collect sand and water samples for comparative analysis. The court has sought information on hospital admissions and reported deaths, if any, linked to pollution.
The authorities are required to submit compliance reports and affidavits, with the matter scheduled for further consideration on December 16, 2026.
What Should Delhi-NCR Residents Remember This Diwali?
The Supreme Court’s decision allows only a limited window for celebrating Diwali with certified green firecrackers. Residents should purchase products only from designated licensed sellers, check the product-specific QR code and ensure that the packaging is sealed.
They must also follow the prescribed bursting timings and avoid using crackers within 300 metres of hospitals, educational institutions, old-age homes and other notified silence zones.
The temporary relaxation ends on November 8.
From November 9, 2026, the complete firecracker ban will be restored across Delhi-NCR.
Residents should check official notifications issued by their respective district administrations for designated sale locations and local enforcement updates before purchasing or using firecrackers.
About the Author
Nibandh Vinod is a seasoned journalist with nearly three decades of experience. He specialises in covering events and festivals and in driving SEO-focused content for News18.com. Tech-savvy and collab…Read More
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