JudiciaryImportant2025-10-15

Supreme Court Modifies Firecracker Ban in NCR

Q: With reference to 'Green Crackers' in India, consider the following statements: 1. They are formulated without the use of barium salts. 2. They have been developed by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI). Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

C) Both 1 and 2 — Green crackers are eco-friendly alternatives developed by CSIR-NEERI. They do not contain banned chemicals like barium nitrate, thereby significantly reducing particulate matter and harmful gaseous emissions compared to conventional firecrackers.

In News

What Happened

On October 15, 2025, the Supreme Court of India partially lifted the blanket ban on firecrackers in the National Capital Region (NCR). The Court permitted the sale and bursting of CSIR-NEERI approved green crackers during a specific, limited time window for Diwali. However, the strict prohibition on conventional crackers, especially those containing barium salts, remains in effect.

Why It Matters

This judgment highlights the judicial effort to balance competing fundamental rights in India. It aims to protect citizens' right to clean air under Article 21, while also considering the right to livelihood of fireworks manufacturers and the festive sentiments associated with Diwali.

Background

History & Context

The legal battle over firecrackers in Delhi-NCR began prominently with the Arjun Gopal v. Union of India case, filed to seek clean air for citizens. In 2018, the Supreme Court banned the use of barium salts in fireworks and mandated the use of 'green crackers' developed by CSIR-NEERI. Despite this, local authorities like the Delhi Government have frequently imposed total blanket bans during winter to curb severe pollution, leading to recurring legal challenges.

What Changed

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BEFORE: A complete, blanket ban on the manufacture, sale, and use of all types of firecrackers was strictly imposed in the NCR during the winter season. NOW: The Supreme Court created a specific carve-out allowing only NEERI-approved green crackers for a restricted time window.
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BEFORE: Enforcement agencies struggled with uniform directives regarding which crackers were illegal versus restricted, often leading to a total shutdown of the trade. NOW: The ruling explicitly limits permissions to green crackers and reaffirms an absolute, enforceable ban on barium-based variants.
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BEFORE: Livelihood concerns of firecracker manufacturers were subordinated to blanket pollution control measures in the NCR region. NOW: The Court established a middle ground by reviving the legal market for green crackers, partially restoring the livelihood of licensed vendors while regulating emissions.

Prelims Angle

NCERT Connection

This event directly connects to Class 11 Political Science Chapter 2, 'Rights in the Indian Constitution'. It demonstrates the dynamic application of Article 21 (Right to Life), which the Supreme Court interprets to include the right to a clean environment, and how it must be balanced against Article 19(1)(g) (Right to practice any profession) and Article 25 (Freedom of religion).

Practice Questions

Q1

With Reference To

With reference to 'Green Crackers' in India, consider the following statements: 1. They are formulated without the use of barium salts. 2. They have been developed by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI). Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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