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Picture Courtesy: The Hindu

Context:

On October 15, 2025, the Supreme Court of India eased the year-long ban on fireworks in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). It permitted the sale and use of certified green fireworks for a limited period during Deepavali celebrations.

Current status of green crackers in India:

• The firecracker industry in India is estimated at ₹ 6,000 crore (₹6000 crores) overall. (Source: The New Indian Express) 

• Traditional firecrackers are still dominant at about 70,000–80,000 tonnes annual sales. (Source: The New Indian Express)  

• Green crackers are growing, though from a smaller base: about 20,000–25,000 tonnes sales, increasing ~20% annually. Turnover for green crackers is estimated to be between ₹ 1,800 and ₹ 2,000 crore. (Source: The New Indian Express) 

• Despite regulations, air quality deteriorations still happen: e.g., AQI in Delhi crossed 200, into ‘poor’ or worse categories during periods of green cracker sales. (Source: ABP Live)
• A study in Bhubaneswar found that 47% of people surveyed were unable to correctly identify green crackers in markets. (Source: The New Indian Express) 

What are green crackers?

Green crackers are fireworks that do not contain harmful chemicals such as barium nitrate, lithium, arsenic, or lead, which are common in conventional crackers and cause severe air and noise pollution. They are approved and certified by CSIR-NEERI and licensed by PESO (Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation).

Types of Green Crackers:

• SWAS (Safe Water Releaser):
  Releases water vapor to reduce dust and suppress particulate matter.
• STAR (Safe Thermite Cracker):
  Produces less NOₓ and reduces particulate emissions by 35–40%.
• SAFAL (Safe Minimal Aluminum):
  Minimizes aluminum use and lowers sound and emission levels.

Evolution of Green Crackers in India: 

Challenges of Green Crackers:

• Lack of Public Awareness: A SwitchON Foundation survey (2023) in Bhubaneswar found that 47% of people were unable to identify genuine green crackers, mainly due to confusing packaging and misleading labels. (Source: Times of India (Nov 2023) 

• Fake Certification and Misuse of QR Codes: A Jharkhand vendor survey (SwitchON Foundation, 2023) revealed that only 53% of crackers labeled as “green” were properly certified, while nearly half had fake QR codes or incorrect certification details. (CAQM Report (2024) 

• Limited Emission Reduction: Although labeled as “eco-friendly,” green crackers reduce emissions only by 30–40% compared to conventional ones, according to CSIR-NEERI (2024). The CPCB (2023) data shows that Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) during Diwali still falls in the “very poor” to “severe” range, showing minimal improvement in real-world conditions. 

• Manufacturing and Supply Constraints: Only a few manufacturers in Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu are licensed by NEERI and PESO to produce certified green crackers. Transition to green production has been slow—less than 35% of licensed manufacturers have adopted green formulations due to technical and financial barriers.  

• Economic and Employment Impact: The firecracker industry in Sivakasi has seen a 30% drop in production, with several small-scale units closing down. 

Government Measures for Green Crackers in India:

Way forward:

• Deploy real-time verification tools and more testing labs, to prevent misuse of QR codes and fake certifications. Discontinue unreliable systems: e.g., Kolkata police recently shelved the QR code verification system due to fake / non-functional codes. (Source: TOI) 

• Launch nationwide campaigns (TV, print, social media) explaining how to identify certified green crackers, read QR codes, and understand logos. 

• Offer subsidies or tax breaks to traditional firecracker makers for converting to green formulations. 

• Restrict usage to short time windows only on selected days (as the Supreme Court recently ordered: 6-7 a.m. and 8-10 p.m. on festival days). (Source: The New Indian Express) 

• Commission independent studies quantifying real-world emissions (PM₂.₅, NOₓ, heavy metals) for green vs conventional crackers in festival settings. 

Source: The Hindu