UPSC Prelims 1996 · General Studies
Question 76: International Relations and Current Affairs
Which one of the following has legalised euthanasia?
AnswerThe answer is (b).
In 1995 the Northern Territory of Australia passed the Rights of the Terminally Ill Act, the first law in the world to legalise voluntary euthanasia, which came into force in July 1996. Texas, Quebec and Maharashtra had no such law. The Australian Parliament overturned the Northern Territory Act in 1997 (the Euthanasia Laws Act). Remember: Northern Territory, 1996 - first, but short-lived.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Texas has not legalised euthanasia.
- (b) Right: the Northern Territory's law was in force from 1996.
- (c) Quebec passed its medical aid in dying law only in 2014.
- (d) Maharashtra has no law legalising euthanasia; India's Supreme Court has allowed only passive euthanasia, in rulings of 2011 and 2018.
Worth knowing: The Northern Territory law was overridden by Australian federal legislation in 1997, and several other places have since legalised euthanasia or assisted dying.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1996, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.