The Supreme Court on November 2 permitted the bursting of green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR for Deepavali. People can use them on November 7 and November 8 between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. However, the court banned fireworks near hospitals and schools to protect public health.
The Supreme Court on Monday (November 2, 2026) permitted the bursting of certified green firecrackers in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). The court allowed bursting of these crackers between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. and between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. on November 7 and November 8, 2026 during Deepavali.
"There shall not be any bursting of fireworks within a 300-metre radius of hospitals, nursing homes, primary and district health centres, old-age homes and any notified silence zones. These areas will be declared as 'No-Cracker Zones', and shall be marked on the ground and published," a Bench headed by Justice M.M. Sundresh directed in a judgment. The same restriction shall also be applicable to educational institutions.
"All necessary efforts will have to be made to ensure due compliance as endeavours should be made not to cause any inconvenience to those who are suffering from ailments," the court said.
Though terming the bursting of firecrackers during Deepavali as a "religious practice", the Supreme Court said the protection of environment and welfare, public health of all has to be safeguarded.
"Deepavali or Diwali is the festival of lights. Over the centuries, it has partaken the character of a national festival, so much so that, at present, one can even consider it as an international festival. The festival is celebrated by people regardless of their caste, community and religion. It is a festival celebrated for centuries, bringing joy and prosperity to every individual, dispelling darkness and ensuring righteousness," the court observed in a 23-page order.
The court refers to how the ancient Hindu scriptures such as the 'Skandapurana' and the 'Padmapurana' referred to the use of only lamps as a ritual, while observing the festival of Deepavali.
"With the introduction of gun-powder in India a few centuries ago, the celebration, underwent a change. This led to the introduction of bursting firecrackers, which have been extensively done for many years," the court noted.
The court however said unregulated bursting of firecrackers affected everyone, including the people doing it. "Bursting of firecrackers, though constitutes a religious practice meant to celebrate the occasion, shall result in severe environmental pollution, especially air and noise, apart from the creation of solid wastes... Amongst human beings, children, disabled and the elderly people constitute the most vulnerable groups," the court observed.