Current Affairs · · GS3 · Environment

SC allows green crackers in Delhi-NCR for two days, with strict curbs

The Supreme Court has allowed certified green crackers in Delhi-NCR on 7 and 8 November 2026, for three hours a day. It called bursting crackers a religious practice for Deepavali, but said environmental harm defeats the festival's purpose. The order adds no-cracker zones, QR-coded boxes and daily air-quality monitoring.

Event date:

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  1. Note1 / 7

    WHY IN NEWS?

    • The Supreme Court allowed conditional bursting of certified green crackers in Delhi-NCR on 7–8 November 2026.
    • Bursting is allowed only from 6–7 a.m. and 8–10 p.m. on those two days.
    • No crackers may be burst within 300 metres of hospitals, educational institutions, old-age homes and notified silence zones.
    • Crackers joined in series or garlands are banned. CPCB and State Pollution Control Boards will monitor compliance and air quality.
    • The Court said bursting crackers is a religious practice for Deepavali. Allowing environmental damage, it said, defeats the purpose of the festival.
  2. Note2 / 7

    WHAT THE ORDER REQUIRES

    The order reaches beyond bursting times to sale, traceability and reporting. Notice how much of it is about verification.

    ElementCondition
    Sale window4–6 November, only at district-designated sites; no online sale
    Banned productsCrackers with barium, crackers not approved by CSIR-NEERI, and series crackers
    Manufacturer rulesCSIR-NEERI certification and a PESO licence are mandatory
    TraceabilityEach sealed box carries a batch-specific QR code showing maker, licence and formulation
    PenaltiesSecurity deposits are forfeited, licences cancelled, and officials face contempt
    MonitoringDaily air-quality reports from 2 to 30 November, plus hospital admission data
    Next stepsCompliance affidavits due 14 December; next hearing 16 December 2026

    The full ban on crackers in Delhi-NCR returns on 9 November.

  3. Note3 / 7

    WHY DELHI-NCR'S AIR TURNS TOXIC

    Crackers add to pollution from several steady sources. The table shows what each one adds.

    SourceWhat it adds
    VehiclesA major source of urban PM2.5; CAQM studies call transport a big winter contributor
    Stubble burningSeasonal farm fires in neighbouring States, tracked by ISRO satellites
    IndustryCoal burning releases particulate matter and sulphur dioxide
    Construction dustRaises PM10 levels, especially in dry weather
    WeatherTemperature inversion and low wind speeds trap pollutants near the ground
    CrackersRelease particulate matter and metallic compounds

    A 2024 study in Atmospheric Environment linked about 85% of elemental PM2.5 during its Diwali observations to fireworks. Elemental PM2.5 means the metal portion of fine particles, not all PM2.5.

    The WHO's 2021 guidelines recommend an annual PM2.5 level of 5 µg/m³. India's national annual standard is 40 µg/m³.

  4. Note4 / 7

    KEY CONCEPTS: GREEN CRACKERS

    1. What is a green cracker?

    It is a cracker made with less harmful chemicals than conventional ones. CSIR-NEERI, the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, developed them. PESO, the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation, approves them for production.

    1. What are the three main types?

    SWAS releases water vapour, which suppresses dust and particulate emissions. STAR uses improved thermite formulations for cleaner burning. SAFAL uses zeolite to cut the aluminium needed.

    1. How much cleaner are they?

    Approved formulations must cut particulate matter by at least 30%, or meet set combined cuts in particulates and gases. Developers claim 30–35% lower particulates, nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide.

    1. What other variants exist?

    Flower pots made with eco-friendly material can cut particulates by about 40%. Some crackers avoid ash as a drying agent. PESO directed crackers to exclude antimony, lithium, mercury, arsenic and lead.

    1. Are they pollution-free?

    No. They reduce emissions but do not remove them.

  5. Note5 / 7

    CONSTITUTIONAL AND JUDICIAL BASIS

    The order rests on rights, duties and earlier rulings. The table links each to the case.

    Provision or caseWhat it adds
    Article 21Courts read the right to life to include a clean and healthy environment
    Article 25Religious freedom, subject to public order, morality and health
    Article 47Directive Principle: the State must improve public health
    Article 48ADirective Principle: the State must protect the environment
    Article 51A(g)Fundamental Duty: citizens must protect the natural environment
    Arjun Gopal v. Union of India (2018)Restricted crackers and promoted green crackers
    Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum (1996)Recognised the precautionary and polluter-pays principles
    M.C. Mehta v. Union of IndiaStrengthened judicial action against Delhi's air pollution
  6. Note6 / 7

    SIGNIFICANCE AND CONCERNS

    • Environment: The order favours cleaner alternatives, with CSIR-NEERI certifying them scientifically.
    • Public health: No-cracker zones protect vulnerable groups. A Lancet study estimated 1.67 million air-pollution deaths in India in 2019.
    • Culture: It recognises Deepavali's religious and emotional importance under Article 25.
    • Livelihoods: It supports a regulated fireworks industry. The Court's 2025 hearings had raised employment concerns.
    • Accountability: QR codes and PESO licensing make products easier to verify.
    • Concerns: Critics argue green crackers still pollute when November air is already poor. Past festivals saw sales of fake "green" labels and bursting outside the permitted hours.

    This card sets out documented positions. It does not adjudicate between them.

  7. Note7 / 7

    WAY FORWARD

    These are suggested measures, not approved policy.

    • Use the November air and hospital data to decide future festival rules on evidence.
    • Let the public scan and check QR codes, so fake green labels are easier to spot.
    • Promote community displays as a lower-emission alternative to bursting crackers at home.
    • Keep crackers within year-round action on vehicles, industry, dust and stubble.

Sources

Syllabus

PaperSubjectSub-topic
GS3EnvironmentEnvironment, pollution and environmental impact
GS2GovernanceGovernance, judiciary and fundamental rights
GS2PolityFundamental rights and constitutional protection of health
PrelimsEnvironmentEnvironment and current events

Topics

Environmental Laws, Conventions and PoliciesPollutionFundamental RightsGovernance

Related previous-year questions

Asked in earlier UPSC Prelims papers on this topic. Answer, then check.

  1. UPSC Prelims 2016 · Environment and Ecology · Pollution

    In the cities of our country, which among the following atmospheric gases are normally considered in calculating the value of Air Quality Index? 1. Carbon dioxide 2. Carbon monoxide 3. Nitrogen dioxide 4. Sulfur dioxide 5. Methane Select the correct answer using the code given below.

    1. 1, 2 and 3 only
    2. 2, 3 and 4 only
    3. 1, 4 and 5 only
    4. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
    Show answer

    Answer: B. VERDICT: The answer is 2, 3 and 4 only. Carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide are counted in the Air Quality Index; carbon dioxide and methane are not. ANALYSIS: The National Air Quality Index considers eight pollutants for which short term national ambient air quality standards are prescribed, namely PM10, PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, ammonia and lead. Statements 2, 3 and 4 are therefore CORRECT. Statements 1 and 5 are INCORRECT. Carbon dioxide and methane are greenhouse gases affecting the global climate but are not toxic at ambient concentrations, so they are not local air quality pollutants and do not enter the index. SOURCE: Press Information Bureau material on the National Air Quality Index and press commentary on urban air pollution. Source type EN. HOW TO CRACK IT: This is a fundamental concept fused with a news hook, so keep the two categories of atmospheric problem strictly apart. Air quality is about substances harmful to human health at the point of exposure, while climate change is about gases that trap heat globally. Carbon dioxide and methane belong to the second list and never to the first. Sorting any gas into health hazard or heat trapper before answering resolves this entire question family.

    Difficulty: medium · statement

    Open this question on its own page, with the full explanation →

  2. UPSC Prelims 2022 · Environment and Ecology · Pollution

    In the context of WHO Air Quality Guidelines, consider the following statements: 1. The 24-hour mean of PM 2.5 should not exceed 15 µg/m3 and annual mean of PM2.5 should not exceed 5 µg/m3. 2. In a year, the highest levels of ozone pollution occur during the periods of inclement weather. 3. PM10 can penetrate the lung barrier and enter the bloodstream. 4. Excessive ozone in the air can trigger asthma. Which of the statements given above are correct?

    1. 1, 3 and 4
    2. 1 and 4 only
    3. 2, 3 and 4
    4. 1 and 2 only
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Statement 1 – CORRECT: According to WHO guidelines, the annual average for PM2.5 should not exceed 5 micrograms per cubic metre of air, while the 24-hour average should not exceed 15 micrograms per cubic metre. Statement 2 – INCORRECT: Ozone at ground level is one of the major constituents of photochemical smog. It is formed by the reaction with sunlight (photochemical reaction) of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) from vehicle and industry emissions and VOCs. As a result, the highest levels of ozone pollution occur during periods of SUNNY weather — not inclement weather. Statement 3 – INCORRECT: While particles with a diameter of 10 microns or less (PM10) can penetrate and lodge deep inside the lungs, the even more health-damaging particles are those with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less (PM2.5). PM2.5 — not PM10 — can penetrate the lung barrier and enter the blood system. Statement 4 – CORRECT: Excessive ozone in the air can have a marked effect on human health. It can cause breathing problems, trigger asthma, reduce lung function and cause lung diseases. Correct statements: 1 and 4 → Option (b).

    Difficulty: hard · statement

    Open this question on its own page, with the full explanation →

Practice questions

  1. Consider the following pairs of green crackers and their technology: 1. SWAS – releases water vapour to suppress dust; 2. STAR – uses zeolite to reduce aluminium; 3. SAFAL – uses improved thermite formulations. How many pairs are correctly matched?

    1. Only one
    2. Only two
    3. All three
    4. None
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Only pair 1 is correct; STAR uses improved thermite, and SAFAL uses zeolite to cut aluminium.

    Difficulty: medium · statement

  2. With reference to the WHO Air Quality Guidelines 2021, consider the following statements: 1. The recommended annual PM2.5 level is 5 µg/m³; 2. The guidelines are legally binding on member states; 3. India's annual PM2.5 standard matches the WHO value. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 1 and 2 only
    3. 2 and 3 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The guidelines are recommendations, and India's annual standard is 40 µg/m³.

    Difficulty: medium · statement

  3. The precautionary principle and the polluter-pays principle were recognised as part of Indian environmental law in which case?

    1. M.C. Mehta v. Union of India
    2. Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum v. Union of India
    3. Arjun Gopal v. Union of India
    4. Subhash Kumar v. State of Bihar
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The 1996 Vellore judgment held both principles to be part of the law of the land.

    Difficulty: medium · statement

Mains practice

Answer-writing practice on this article. Attempt it first, then open the hints.

  1. GS3 · 250 words

    The Supreme Court's green cracker order tries to reconcile Article 25 with Article 21. Critically examine the order and its likely effect on Delhi-NCR's air quality.

    Show hints
    1. Explain the order's conditions, the health limit on Article 25, and the right to a healthy environment
    2. use Arjun Gopal and Vellore
    3. discuss enforcement gaps, the limits of green crackers and other pollution sources
    4. conclude with data-based review.