The Supreme Court of India has allowed the sale and use of NEERI-approved “green” firecrackers in Delhi-NCR for Diwali 2025, but under strict supervision and limited timings. The court’s decision comes amid rising air pollution levels in the capital, where the AQI has reached around 268 and is expected to worsen. Only those firecrackers certified by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and carrying a unique QR code will be permitted for sale. These QR codes will help authorities verify authenticity and ensure that banned, polluting varieties are not circulated.

The sale of these green crackers will be allowed only from October 18 to 20, while bursting them will be restricted to two specific time slots — from 6 am to 7 am and 8 pm to 10 pm on October 19 and 20. So far, 168 temporary licenses have been issued for selling approved firecrackers, and any unsold stock must be returned or disposed of safely within two days after Diwali.