Is it Legal to Withdraw Life Support for a Patient in a Vegetative State?

Under the landmark Supreme Court ruling in Harish Rana v. Union of India (March 2026), passive euthanasia is legal for patients in a permanent vegetative state.

The Court redefined Clinically Assisted Nutrition and Hydration (CANH), such as feeding tubes, as "medical treatment" rather than basic care.

This allows doctors to withdraw support if it no longer serves the patient’s "best interest" and merely prolongs an undignified existence. To proceed, a two-tier medical board (Primary and Secondary) must certify the condition as irreversible.

This shift under Article 21 ensures the "Right to Die with Dignity" is a practical reality for families facing long-term, futile medical interventions.