Delhi allows sale of firecrackers during Diwali: timings, rules and where to buy

The court has banned online sales and prohibited crackers brought from outside Delhi-NCR. Shopkeepers found violating these rules will face strict penalties.

Updated on: Oct 15, 2025, 15:36:06 IST

By Shivya Kanojia

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The Supreme Court on Wednesday eased the complete ban on firecrackers in the Delhi-NCR region ahead of Diwali, permitting the limited use of environmentally friendly green crackers under strict regulations.

Under the new guidelines, firecrackers may be burst only during two daily time slots—between 6 am and 7 am, and again from 8 pm to 10 pm—over four days from October 18 to 21. (AFP)

A bench led by Chief Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, along with Justice K Vinod Chandran, issued the ruling. The court balanced environmental concerns, festive sentiments, and the livelihoods of cracker manufacturers in its decision. It noted that conventional firecrackers are often smuggled into the region, causing additional harm.

Also Read: Why Supreme Court allowed sale, bursting of green crackers on Diwali: ‘…smuggled into Delhi-NCR’

Timings for bursting firecrackers

Under the new guidelines, firecrackers may be burst only during two daily time slots - between 6 am and 7 am, and again from 8 pm to 10 pm - over four days from October 18 to 21.

Rules and safety guidelines

Only green crackers certified by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) will be allowed for sale and use. NEERI will conduct random sampling to ensure compliance with environmental and safety standards.

Surprise inspections will also be carried out to detect violations. The court has banned online sales and prohibited crackers brought from outside Delhi-NCR. Shopkeepers found violating these rules will face strict penalties.

Also Read: Delhi’s AQI stays ‘poor’ as city braces for worsening air quality around Diwali

Where is sale of firecrackers permitted

Sales will be restricted to specific, designated locations within Delhi-NCR to ensure better regulation and monitoring. Residents must purchase crackers only from these authorised points to comply with the court order.

This measured approach aims to allow residents to celebrate Diwali responsibly while minimising environmental impact.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shivya Kanojia
Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgement and a clear understanding of what makes a story both important and traffic-driven. An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya brings a thoughtful balance of news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring stories resonate beyond the immediate headline. Over the course of her three-year journey in the digital news space, Shivya has worked across a wide range of beats, including politics, civic issues, human-interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to approach stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is breaking down complex developments or spotlighting everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human-interest stories, interviews and explainers that offer depth and clarity, aiming to move past surface-level reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a broad spectrum of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism . Outside the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cosy spaces and unhurried conversations. Shopping is another pastime she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of stumbling upon unexpected finds. Above all, she treasures time spent with loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that linger long after.Read More

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