Gen-2 joined green crackers: Supreme Court relaxes framework subject to NEERI’s conditions

Environment & Pollution / Judiciary · 2 October 2026 · Based on The Hindu (original report)

2-minute summary

The Supreme Court has conditionally relaxed the framework for redesigned 'Gen-2' joined green crackers, declining a nationwide firecracker ban ahead of the festive season. Based on CSIR-NEERI's recommendations, these next-generation fireworks incorporate additives like zeolite and water-releasing compounds to suppress dust and cut particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) by 45% to 60% compared to conventional variants. While conventional crackers relied heavily on barium nitrate, antimony, and other metals linked to severe respiratory ailments, the new formulation restricts barium and stretches the burn sequence by bursting five braids a second instead of 25. However, scientists note these are laboratory figures, and CSIR-NEERI is currently conducting dispersion modelling across cities like Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, and Bhopal to verify real-world air quality impacts. Manufacturers must hold a valid licence from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) and register with NEERI to produce them.

Why it's in the news

The Supreme Court's September 30 order conditionally relaxing the manufacture of Gen-2 joined green crackers ahead of the Diwali season has revived national debates on balancing public festive sentiments, livelihoods of informal fireworks artisans, and Delhi-NCR's chronic winter air pollution.

Facts to remember

• Gen-2 green crackers reduce PM10 and PM2.5 particulate matter by an estimated 45% to 60% under laboratory conditions according to CSIR-NEERI.
• CSIR-NEERI stands for the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute.
• Gen-2 joined crackers stretch their burning sequence by bursting five braids a second instead of the conventional 25.
• Noise levels for green crackers are mandated to stay within 125 dB(AI)/145 dB(C) peak.

Background and context

The litigation surrounding firecrackers in India originated from petitions filed in 2015 addressing the severe winter smog plaguing the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR). In November 2016, the Supreme Court suspended retail licences for firecrackers in the region, escalating to a complete sales ban in October 2017. Subsequent judicial interventions mandated the development of reduced-emission 'green crackers' through CSIR-NEERI, eliminating barium salts and prohibiting 'joined' (string or garland) crackers. In January 2025, the judicial prohibitions were extended to NCR areas in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. This regulatory framework severely impacted the traditional, largely informal manufacturing cluster centred in Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu, prompting ongoing legal battles between livelihood protection and the right to a clean environment under Article 21.

Constitutional provisions

• Article 21 — Underpins the fundamental right to a clean and pollution-free environment, frequently invoked by courts to regulate activities contributing to severe winter smog.
• Article 48A — Directive Principles of State Policy obligating the State to protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife.

Mains practice: Examine the tension between public health imperatives during winter smog and the socio-economic rights of workers in traditional manufacturing clusters. Discuss the role of scientific intervention in resolving this deadlock.

The recurring severe air quality crises in the Indo-Gangetic plain, particularly Delhi-NCR during winter, force a difficult policy trade-off between the fundamental right to clean air under Article 21 of the Constitution and the livelihood protection of millions dependent on traditional manufacturing clusters like Sivakasi.

• Legal and Judicial Framework: Judicial interventions, initiated via public interest litigation since 2015, led to strict bans on conventional firecrackers and the conceptualisation of 'green crackers' through statutory scientific bodies, attempting to balance public health with cultural practices.

• Technological and Scientific Interventions: Scientific bodies such as CSIR-NEERI developed Gen-2 green crackers featuring dust-suppressing additives like zeolite and reduced barium formulations, cutting particulate emissions (PM10 and PM2.5) by 45% to 60% in laboratory tests, though real-world verification remains ongoing.

• Socio-Economic Realities: The firecracker industry is predominantly labour-intensive and informal. Blanket bans threaten severe distress and livelihood loss for artisans, highlighting the need for regulated transition rather than absolute prohibition.

• Governance and Enforcement Gaps: Regulatory enforcement by bodies like PESO and State Pollution Control Boards often falters during festival seasons, exposing gaps in compliance monitoring and inter-state contraband movement.

Way Forward:

1. Transition Support: The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) must extend financial and technical modernisation packages to help small manufacturing units adopt cleaner chemical formulations.

2. Rigorous Verification: Institutionalise independent, real-world third-party testing by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) prior to seasonal clearances rather than relying solely on controlled laboratory metrics.

3. Decentralized Enforcement: Empower local municipal bodies and resident welfare associations to monitor decibel and time-window restrictions effectively.

Conclusion:

Resolving the conflict between environmental sustainability and traditional livelihoods requires robust adherence to scientific standardisation, ensuring that technological innovations under sustainable development goals (SDGs) protect both public health and socio-economic inclusion.

Prelims practice questions

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the regulatory framework for green crackers in India: 1. CSIR-NEERI formulations for Gen-2 green crackers completely eliminate the use of all metallic compounds. 2. The Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) acts as the central explosives regulator for licensing manufacturers. 3. Green cracker norms restrict peak noise levels within specified decibel limits and limit barium-based ingredients. How many of the above statements are correct?

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

Answer: B. Statement 1 is incorrect because Gen-2 green crackers restrict and reduce barium-based ingredients rather than eliminating all metallic compounds; they use modified metallic composites and additives like zeolite. Statement 2 is correct as PESO is the central explosives regulator. Statement 3 is correct because green crackers are mandated to stay within peak noise limits (125 dB(AI)/145 dB(C)) with restricted barium usage.

Q2. Which one of the following scientific bodies developed the chemical formulations for reduced-emission 'green crackers' in India?

1. Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT-Delhi)
2. National Physical Laboratory (NPL)
3. CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI)
4. Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)

Answer: C. CSIR-NEERI developed the redesigned formulations and reduced-emission chemical compositions for green crackers under Supreme Court directives.

Q3. Consider the following statements: Statement-I: The Supreme Court conditionally permitted the manufacture and sale of redesigned 'Gen-2' joined green crackers ahead of the festive season. Statement-II: CSIR-NEERI laboratory analyses indicate that Gen-2 variants achieve a 45% to 60% reduction in PM10 and PM2.5 emissions compared to conventional firecrackers. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
3. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Answer: A. Statement-I is correct because the Supreme Court permitted limited conditional release of Gen-2 joined crackers. Statement-II is also correct and provides the scientific rationale/basis accepted by the Court regarding reduced particulate emissions.

Revision flashcards

• Which central institution in India functions as the nodal scientific agency responsible for developing green cracker formulations? CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI).
• Which central statutory body serves as the primary explosives regulator issuing manufacturing licences for fireworks in India? Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO).
• What particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) emission reduction do CSIR-NEERI laboratory figures claim for Gen-2 green crackers as of September 2026? 45% to 60% reduction compared to conventional firecrackers.
• What specific additive is incorporated into Gen-2 green cracker formulations to act as a dust suppressant during combustion? Zeolite and water-releasing compounds.
• Why did the Supreme Court restrict conventional firecrackers while permitting conditional manufacture of Gen-2 green crackers? To balance public health and air quality imperatives during severe winter smog periods with the livelihood requirements of traditional manufacturing clusters.