EnvironmentMonday, 9 November 2026·The Hindu - National
Supreme Court Deepavali cracker rules and Delhi-NCR pollution spike, November 2026
On 9 November 2026, Delhi’s AQI touched 404 and the Supreme Court’s green-cracker time slots and no-cracker zones became key exam facts.
Key highlights
Direct fact
On 9 November 2026, Delhi’s air quality worsened sharply after Deepavali, with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reporting an AQI of 404 at 4 a.m., while the Supreme Court had allowed certified green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR only on 7 and 8 November 2026.
Key specifics
- Delhi AQI reached 404 on 9 November 2026, which falls in the CPCB’s ‘severe’ category (401-500).
- Burari Crossing recorded 441, Vivek Vihar 437, DTU 434, and North Campus and Jahangirpuri 433 each.
- The Supreme Court permitted green firecrackers only between 6 a.m.-7 a.m. and 8 p.m.-10 p.m. on 7 and 8 November 2026.
- No-cracker zones were ordered within a 300-metre radius of hospitals, nursing homes, primary and district health centres, old age homes and notified silence zones.
- GRAP Stage III measures were in force under the CAQM, with coordination from CPCB, IMD and IITM.
Exam lens
Environment and governance question type: AQI classification, GRAP stages, and Supreme Court directions on firecrackers; remember CPCB categories, 300-metre no-cracker zone, and the 7-8 November 2026 time window.