Few know: Supreme Court allowed passive euthanasia in 2018
GS2Polity · Governance · IR· Health policy & public health· Prelims + Mains·
Why in news
The Supreme Court's 2018 ruling on passive euthanasia and 'living wills' is being highlighted due to a lack of public awareness and infrastructure for palliative care.
Background
The Supreme Court of India legalized passive euthanasia and 'living wills' in 2018. These allow patients to refuse life-sustaining treatment or declare their wishes in advance when they are no longer able to communicate.
Facts for Prelims
- BodyAIIMS: A premier public medical research and tertiary care hospital in New Delhi.
- FactPassive Euthanasia: The withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment (e.g., ventilators) to allow a patient to die naturally.
- FactLiving Will: A legal declaration by a person specifying what medical treatments they do or do not want in the event of terminal illness.
For Mains
Q. Discuss the ethical and legal challenges associated with 'living wills' and passive euthanasia in India. How can the state improve palliative care infrastructure?
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Right to Life vs. Right to Die
- Role of Palliative Care
- Legal clarity and awareness
- Ethical dilemmas for medical practitioners
Keywords: Right to Life · Palliative Care · Living Will · Passive Euthanasia · Bioethics
More Social Justice notes
- Andhra Pradesh became the first state in India to notify a comprehensive · 26 August 2026
- Tamil Nadu Banned Sex-Reassignment Surgeries on Intersex Minors in 2019 · 26 August 2026
- Migrants Fight Maharashtra's Marathi Compulsion, Petition Bombay High Court · 26 August 2026
- High Court Rejects Student’s Hijab Petition, Upholds School Uniform Policy · 26 August 2026
- Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Approves Free Lifetime Bus Travel for Women 60+ · 26 August 2026
- Madhya Pradesh launches SHIVAA to reduce snakebite deaths in 2025 · 26 August 2026
Something wrong, or something missing?
Spotted a mistake in a note, or want a topic, format or PDF that would help your preparation? Write to us. We read every mail and fix errors fast.
This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.