Supreme Court weighs in favour of conditional relaxation on next-gen joined green crackers ahead of festive season
The Supreme Court of India has permitted the manufacture of next-generation 'green' crackers that meet specific noise and emission standards. This decision follows recommendations from CSIR-NEERI to reduce pollution during the upcoming Deepavali festival.
Why it matters
This ruling balances traditional cultural festivities with environmental health concerns regarding air and noise pollution.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday (September 30, 2026) accepted suggestions by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) for a “limited and conditional relaxation” allowing the manufacture of next-generation joined green crackers in compliance with the applicable noise, emission, and safety requirements ahead of the Deepavali festivities.
Appearing before a Bench headed by Justice M.M. Sundresh, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, for the Centre, said the CSIR-NEERI has recommended that green crackers conform to specifications/formulations tested and approved by the competent authority and are made exclusively by duly licensed manufacturers.
The premier scientific body suggested that crackers must be within the prescribed noise limit of 125 dB(AI)/145 dB(C) peak and strictly fall within permissible emission brackets, Ms. Bhati said.
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