India's top court upholds passive euthanasia but living wills remain little known
The Supreme Court confirmed the legality of passive euthanasia, yet most Indians are still unaware of the option to create living wills.
India's Supreme Court has again validated the right to passive euthanasia, allowing withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment when patients lack capacity. Despite the ruling, surveys show that a large majority of urban Indians do not know they can record treatment preferences, and only a tiny fraction have actually prepared a living will. Hospital visits at AIIMS reveal families like those of Piyush Singh and Amit facing uncertainty after curative options fail, with little institutional support.
Legal guidelines have been eased since 2018, yet only two private clinics in Mumbai and New Delhi offer living-will drafting services. Cultural reluctance to discuss death and a shortage of palliative-care resources compound the problem, leaving many to make critical decisions without preparation.
Why it matters
Understanding the gap between legal rights and public awareness is crucial for improving end-of-life care in India.
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