Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Supreme Court Rejects Blanket Ban, Sets Conditions for Firecrackers
The Supreme Court is deciding rules for firecrackers during Diwali.
It said firecrackers will not be completely banned.
It also said people cannot use them all day and night.
The judges want to choose special hours for fireworks.
They said a total ban could hurt people’s festival feelings.
They also said unlimited fireworks could harm children, older people, sick people and the environment.
Some specially designed green crackers may be allowed.
These crackers would have to follow rules about noise, emissions and safety.
The court will study a report about barium before making more decisions on October 15.
The Supreme Court said it would not impose a complete firecracker ban or permit fireworks around the clock.
Justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale said specific usage hours were needed to balance festival sentiments with impacts on vulnerable people and other living beings.
The court indicated it was inclined to permit specified joint, or “larri,” green crackers under conditions.
The government proposed allowing next-generation joined green crackers that meet noise, emission and safety requirements and contain no banned chemicals.
The court will consider the Central Pollution Control Board’s barium-cracker report and the use of barium on October 15.
- Who
- The Supreme Court bench of Justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale heard the matter, with Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati presenting the government’s note.
- What
- The court is considering fixed usage hours and conditional permission for certain green and joint firecrackers.
- When
- The hearing took place on Wednesday, September 30; the court will consider the barium issue and the Central Pollution Control Board report on October 15.
- Where
- The matter was heard by the Supreme Court and concerns firecracker restrictions in Delhi-NCR and other northern states.
- Why
- The court is seeking to balance festival sentiments with concerns about air pollution, noise, safety and effects on vulnerable people and other living beings.
Festival Access and Sentiments
Health and Environmental Controls
Extent of restrictions
Festival Access and Sentiments
A complete prohibition could affect people’s festival sentiments, supporting limited access to firecrackers.
Health and Environmental Controls
Fireworks should not be allowed throughout the day because noise and emissions could affect children, older people, sick people and other living beings.
Joint green crackers
Festival Access and Sentiments
Specified joint crackers, or “larri,” could be permitted under conditions.
Health and Environmental Controls
Any permitted crackers should satisfy prescribed noise, emission and safety requirements, contain no banned chemicals and be made by licensed manufacturers.
Barium-based crackers
Festival Access and Sentiments
A decision on some categories may follow further testing and review of the Central Pollution Control Board’s report.
Health and Environmental Controls
The court should consider the report and outdoor testing before deciding whether barium-based crackers can be permitted.
- Court position
- No complete ban and no round-the-clock fireworks.
- Proposed timing
- Permitted firecrackers would be used only during specified hours.
- Firecrackers under consideration
- Specified next-generation joined green crackers, including joint crackers or “larri.”
- Proposed noise limit
- 125 dB(AI)/145 dB(C) peak.
- Product conditions
- Permitted crackers must meet noise, emission and safety requirements and contain no banned chemicals.
- Manufacturing condition
- Permitted crackers must be made only by duly licensed manufacturers.
- Next hearing
- The court will consider barium-based firecrackers and the Central Pollution Control Board’s report on October 15.
Sources
'Neither total ban nor allow them to do it for 24 hours': Supreme Court considers fixed timings for Diwali firecrackers
Supreme Court rules out blanket firecracker ban, says no round-the-clock use
SC rules out blanket ban on firecrackers
Won't impose complete ban, won't allow incessant fireworks either: SC
