In a significant first for India’s healthcare system, Mumbai’s P.D. Hinduja Hospital has launched the country’s first Living Will Clinic—a specialised centre where individuals can legally and medically formalise their end-of-life choices.
But what exactly is a 'living will', and why is this initiative so important? Here's what you need to know.
What Is a living will?
A living will, also known as an Advance Medical Directive, is a legal document that allows a person to state their medical preferences in advance—especially regarding life-sustaining treatment—for a future time when they may be terminally ill, unconscious, or unable to communicate.
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In simpler terms, it lets you spell out what kind of medical care you do or do not want if you are no longer able to make decisions for yourself.
For instance, a person may state that they do not want to be kept alive on a ventilator or fed through a tube if they’re in a permanent vegetative state or suffering from an incurable condition.
At a living will clinic, people will be informed about it, both legally and medically. They can consult with a doctor, psychologist, and legal expert. Interested people can draft and formalise their living will in accordance with the Supreme Court guidelines. Additionally, they can get help registering the will with a judicial magistrate, as required by law
What’s the legal backing?
In 2018, the Supreme Court of India legalised passive euthanasia and recognised the right to die with dignity. It also allowed individuals to make living wills, but the procedure was complicated and rarely followed.
In January 2023, the Supreme Court simplified the process. Now, living wills must be:
- Signed in front of two witnesses
- Attested by a Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC)
- Accessible to the treating hospital and family at the right time
Despite the simplification, few people in India have living wills, mostly due to lack of awareness, cultural taboos around discussing death, and bureaucratic hurdles.
Why is this important?
Too often, patients in India—especially the elderly—end up on life support in ICUs, with families forced to make painful decisions. A living will helps:
- Ensure the person’s medical choices are respected.
- Reduce confusion or conflict among family members.
- Prevent unnecessary, invasive, or prolonged treatment.
- Uphold the individual's autonomy and dignity.
The road ahead
Experts hope it will spark more such initiatives across the country, backed by legal clarity and ethical sensitivity.