Supreme Court allows Green Firecracker Manufacturing but bans sale in Delhi-NCR for Diwali 2025. A balanced move to protect livelihoods while addressing severe air pollution concerns.
In a significant ruling that seeks to balance public health with economic livelihoods the Supreme Court of India on September 26, 2025, delivered a nuanced order regarding firecrackers in the Delhi-NCR region ahead of Diwali. The Court has permitted the production of green firecrackers but has upheld the ban on their sale and storage within the capital region.
A Conditional Approval for Manufacturers
The bench, led by Chief Justice BR Gavai and comprising Justices Vinod Chandran and NV Anjaria stipulated that only manufacturers with valid certifications from the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) can continue production. These certified units must also submit a formal undertaking guaranteeing that no sales will occur in the Delhi-NCR area.
This decision comes against the backdrop of a year-round ban on the manufacture, sale and storage of firecrackers imposed by the Court in April 2025, which was challenged by manufacturers. The latest order provides a temporary compromise, allowing the industry to continue operations and protect jobs outside the Delhi-NCR market, while preventing the direct addition of new firecracker stock within the pollution-choked capital.
Balancing Health, Livelihoods, and Enforcement
The Court explicitly acknowledged the difficulty of reconciling two critical imperatives: the right to public health and the right to economic livelihood. The bench cautioned that extreme restrictions can have unintended consequences, drawing a parallel to the illegal mining mafias that emerged in Bihar despite a complete ban.
Senior Advocate K Parameshwar, representing the manufacturers, argued their commitment to adhering to environmental norms, citing the 2018 Arjun Gopal case which first permitted green firecrackers under strict conditions. Conversely, Amicus Curiae Aparajita Singh highlighted the severe health impacts of air pollution on vulnerable groups, urging the Court not to relax the bans lightly.
A Push for a Long-Term Policy
Instead of issuing a final verdict, the Supreme Court has directed the Central Government to consult all stakeholders—including the Delhi government, manufacturers, and sellers—and present a comprehensive and balanced policy solution. The next hearing is scheduled for October 8, 2025, where this proposed policy will be examined.
This move signals a shift from judicial imposition to a more consultative, executive-led approach in tackling the complex issue of pollution. Delhi’s Environment Minister, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, welcomed the balanced stance, expressing confidence that residents can celebrate responsibly.
The Larger Context of Delhi’s Pollution Crisis
The Delhi-NCR region has perennially faced hazardous air quality levels, especially during winter. The problem is a toxic cocktail of firecracker emissions, stubble burning in neighbouring states, vehicle exhaust, and industrial pollution. The judiciary has intervened multiple times since the National Green Tribunal’s initial ban in 2017, with the Supreme Court consistently reinforcing restrictions on conventional firecrackers.
This latest order reflects a mature understanding that a sustainable solution requires a strategy that is both environmentally sound and socio-economically realistic, pushing for innovation and regulation over outright prohibition.