Nirav Da

MCQ TYPE QUESTIONS With reference to euthanasia in India, consider the following statements: 1.Passive euthanasia has been recognised as legal by the Supreme Court. 2.A Living Will allows a person to refuse life-sustaining treatment in advance. 3.Active euthanasia is legally permitted in India under certain conditions. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A. 1 only B. 1 and 2 only C. 2 and 3 only D. 1, 2 and 3 Answer: B. 1 and 2 only Question 2 Which of the following statements correctly describes the concept of a Living Will in India? A. It allows the government to decide when life-support treatment should be withdrawn. B. It is a written directive by a person refusing life-prolonging treatment if they become terminally ill or incapacitated. C. It permits doctors to administer active euthanasia to terminally ill patients. D. It applies only to patients suffering from infectious diseases. Answer: B

Q. Passive euthanasia and living wills have been recognised by the Supreme Court as part of the Right to Life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. Discuss the evolution of euthanasia jurisprudence in India. Why is a comprehensive law on end-of-life care necessary? (250 words)

1. Background of the Case • The case concerns Harish Rana, who suffered a fall from the fourth floor at age 18, leaving him 100% quadriplegic and in a vegetative state. • For 13 years, his parents lived with emotional, financial and psychological hardship. • The Supreme Court allowed withdrawal of Clinically Administered Nutrition (CAN) that kept him alive. • This effectively permitted passive euthanasia, allowing the family closure. ⸻ 2. Key Issue in the Case • The dispute was about whether feeding tubes (CAN) count as life-sustaining medical treatment. • Earlier: • Delhi High Court and Supreme Court (2024) rejected the parents’ plea. • They argued that feeding tubes are not medical intervention. • The latest Supreme Court verdict reversed this position, allowing withdrawal. ⸻ 3. Ethical and Medical Complexity • Withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment raises serious ethical questions: • Value of human life • Patient autonomy • Role of doctors and families • Doctors sometimes acknowledge treatment is futile, but continuing it may prolong suffering without recovery. ⸻ 4. Evolution of Judicial Approach in India (a) Aruna Shanbaug Case (2011) • In Aruna Shanbaug v. Union of India, the Supreme Court: • Rejected active euthanasia. • Allowed withdrawal of life support under strict conditions. • Conditions included: • Approval of the High Court • Consent of close relatives • This laid the foundation for future euthanasia jurisprudence. ⸻ (b) Common Cause Case (2018) • Landmark judgement Common Cause v. Union of India (2018): • Recognised passive euthanasia as legal. • Introduced Living Will / Advance Directive. • A living will allows a person to declare they do not want life-sustaining treatment if terminally ill. ⸻ (c) Later Clarifications • The Supreme Court later simplified procedures. • It clarified the role of hospital medical boards in evaluating such cases. • Their expert medical opinion became central to decisions. ⸻ 5. Significance of the Latest Verdict • The ruling: • Overrules earlier interpretation regarding clinically administered nutrition. • Recognises that forcing a patient to live indefinitely in a vegetative state may violate human dignity. • It strengthens the interpretation of Right to Life under Article 21, including dignified death. ⸻ 6. Concerns and Risks Experts warn about possible misuse: • Living wills may be manipulated. • Families could pressure patients to sign them. • Vulnerable elderly or ill patients might be coerced. • Ethical oversight and safeguards are therefore essential. ⸻ 7. Need for Legislation • After the verdict, the Supreme Court asked the Central Government to frame legislation. • A law is needed to: • Standardise procedures • Prevent abuse • Protect patient autonomy • Clarify roles of doctors, hospitals and families. ⸻ 8. Core Message of the Editorial • Courts have progressively developed euthanasia jurisprudence. • However, judicial rulings alone are insufficient. • The Centre must enact a clear legal framework on passive euthanasia. ⸻ One-line takeaway (for UPSC answers): India recognises passive euthanasia and living wills under Article 21, but a comprehensive law is required to regulate procedures and prevent misuse.

LNG Imports Hit – Essential Commodities Act Invoked (Indian Express) 1. Reason for Government Action • Due to conflict in West Asia, shipments of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) through the Strait of Hormuz have been disrupted. • This has created uncertainty and possible shortage of gas supplies for India. • To manage the crisis, the Government of India invoked the Essential Commodities Act. ⸻ 2. What the Government Has Decided • Natural gas will be allocated on priority basis. • Priority sectors: • Household piped natural gas (PNG) • CNG for transport • LPG production These sectors will get first preference over industries. ⸻ 3. Purpose of Invoking Essential Commodities Act The Act allows the government to: • Control supply and distribution of essential goods. • Prevent shortages and price spikes. • Ensure essential sectors get uninterrupted supply. ⸻ 4. Sectors That May Face Gas Cuts Industries using natural gas may face partial or full curtailment, such as: • Petrochemical units • Fertiliser plants • Gas-based power plants • Manufacturing industries These sectors may get reduced gas supply to divert gas to essential uses. ⸻ 5. Situation of Domestic Gas Supply • Domestic gas supplies to refineries have already been cut to about 65% of their average consumption of the past six months. • This indicates tight supply conditions. ⸻ Ripple Effects Across Sectors 6. Areas Where War Is Impacting the Economy The conflict is affecting three major areas: 1. Supply of raw materials 2. Fuel and feedstock availability 3. Market demand and prices ⸻ 7. Impact on Industries The ripple effects are spreading to sectors like: • Textiles • Mining • Steelmaking • Chemicals • Petrochemicals These industries depend heavily on energy and imported raw materials. ⸻ 8. Global Commodity Price Surge • The West Asia conflict has caused sharp rise in energy and commodity prices. • 73 commodities increased in price in a single week. • Some commodities rose by more than 60%. ⸻ 9. Shipping and Trade Disruptions • Shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz are affected. • This route is crucial for: • Oil • LNG • Petrochemical feedstock Disruptions here increase transport costs and supply uncertainty. ⸻ 10. Impact on Petrochemical Industry • Disruptions have choked naphtha feedstock supply. • Asian steam crackers depend on 60–80% naphtha supply. • This may reduce petrochemical production. ⸻ 11. Bigger Economic Impact The conflict could lead to: • Higher fuel prices • Higher manufacturing costs • Supply chain disruptions • Inflationary pressure • Slowdown in industrial production ⸻ One-line UPSC takeaway: India invoked the Essential Commodities Act to prioritise gas supply to households and transport sectors after LNG imports were disrupted due to the West Asia conflict affecting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

1. Context: Declining fertility in India • N. Chandrababu Naidu proposed ₹25,000 incentive for the second or third child in Andhra Pradesh. • This raises a major policy question: Can governments increase birth rates using financial incentives? • Andhra Pradesh currently has Total Fertility Rate (TFR) ≈ 1.4, which is below replacement level (2.1). ⸻ 2. Example of Sikkim’s policy • Sikkim has India’s lowest fertility rate (~1.1 children per woman). • Concern: • Ageing population • Shrinking workforce • Around 2022, the state introduced strong pro-natal incentives. Incentives introduced • Financial benefits to encourage second and third child. • Childbirth allowance • Free childcare support • Extended maternity leave (1 year). • Paternity leave introduced. • ₹5,000/month after second child birth • ₹10,000/month after third child birth ⸻ 3. Support for infertility treatment • Government supported IVF (In-Vitro Fertilisation) treatment. • IVF is expensive (several lakhs), so the state funded treatment for eligible couples. • In the first phase, about 38 women enrolled. • Shows that infertility is also a factor in falling birth rates. ⸻ 4. Result in Sikkim • Despite all incentives: • Fertility rate remains very low • Baby boom has not happened • Suggests financial incentives alone may not work. ⸻ 5. Global experiences Hungary • Introduced aggressive pro-family policies: • Subsidies • Tax exemptions for mothers with 4+ children • Housing and loan benefits • Fertility improved slightly but still below replacement level. East Asian countries Countries like: • South Korea • Japan have: • Spent huge resources • Given cash incentives and childcare support Yet: • Birth rates remain among the lowest in the world. China • After ending the one-child policy, couples were encouraged to have two or three children. • Even with incentives, birth rates continue to fall. ⸻ 6. Structural reasons for low fertility The article argues that social changes matter more than money: • Women marrying later • Longer education • Career priorities • High childcare costs • Urban lifestyles • Preference for investing more in fewer children Thus, family size decisions are not easily influenced by cash incentives. ⸻ 7. What works better internationally Countries like: • France • Nordic countries have relatively better fertility rates due to: • Affordable childcare • Predictable parental leave • Flexible workplaces • Supportive housing policies ⸻ 8. Key lesson for India • Financial incentives alone cannot reverse demographic trends. • Governments should focus on: • Work-life balance • Childcare infrastructure • Gender equality in parenting • Economic stability for families ⸻ 9. Core conclusion of the article • Fertility decisions are deeply personal and socio-economic. • Government incentives can help, but cannot “buy” babies. • The confidence to have children depends on family stability and long-term security, not just cash benefits.

1. India’s main position: Support peace and diplomacy • India has not taken sides openly in the conflict involving the Israel, Iran, and the United States. • Instead, India is calling for peace, dialogue and diplomacy. • External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states must be respected. ⸻ 2. India has major stakes in the region India cannot remain unaffected because: Energy security • India imports over 88% of its oil. • Oil prices have surged to levels last seen after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. • Rising oil prices can increase inflation and affect India’s economy. Critical shipping route risk • Around 50% of India’s crude oil and LNG imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz. • More than 80% of India’s LPG imports also move through this route. • If the Strait gets blocked, India’s energy supply will be severely affected. ⸻ 3. Safety of Indian diaspora • Nearly 1 crore Indians live in the Gulf region. • Their safety and livelihoods are very important for India. • The government is in touch with regional governments to ensure safety and possible evacuation if needed. ⸻ 4. India’s diplomatic balancing India maintains relations with all major actors in the conflict: • Israel • Iran • United States • Gulf states like Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates Because of this balanced diplomacy, India is urging de-escalation rather than taking sides. ⸻ 5. Recent developments mentioned • India allowed three Iranian ships to dock at Indian ports. • One of them, IRIS Lavan, reached Kochi. • This happened after the sinking of IRIS Dena by the US in the Indian Ocean region. ⸻ 6. War spreading beyond main battlefield • The conflict is expanding geographically. • The island nation Cyprus was attacked by a drone. • The drone is believed to be launched by Hezbollah, which is supported by Iran. ⸻ 7. conclusion • Neither side appears ready to step back. • The situation remains dangerous and unpredictable. • India should oppose expansion of the war and push strongly for diplomatic solutions.

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