Daily Prelims Notes 13 August 2022

August 13, 2022
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Daily Prelims Notes

13 August 2022

Table Of Contents

1. Agasthiyamalai Elephant reserve

Subject: History

Section : Modern India

Context:

Context: The proposal to designate 1,197.48 sq.km in Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli as the Agasthiyarmalai Elephant Reserve was approved by the Union Environment Ministry.

Concept:

India has 31 Elephant Reserves.
In the last 3 years, Dandeli Elephant Reserve of Karnataka, Singphan Elephant Reserve by Nagaland and LemruElephant Reserve in Chhattisgarh.
This has brought the total area under Elephant Reserves in India to about 76,508 sqkm across 14 states of the country.
The current population estimates indicate that there are about 50,000 – 60000 Asian elephants in the world. More than 60% of the population is held in India.
Indian Elephant has also been listed in the Appendix I of the Convention of the Migratory species in the recently concluded Conference of Parties of CMS 13 at Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat in February 2020.
World Elephant Day is being celebrated to bring attention of various stakeholders to support various conservation policies to help elephants, including improving enforcement policies to prevent the illegal poaching and trade of ivory, conserving elephant habitats, providing better treatment for captive elephants and reintroducing some captive elephants into sanctuaries.
Elephant is the Natural Heritage Animal of India and India also celebrates this day to spread awareness towards conservation of the species.
World Elephant Day celebrated on August 12 is an international annual event, dedicated to the preservation and protection of the world’s elephants.
As Elephant is the Natural Heritage Animal of India, India also celebrates this day to spread awareness towards conservation of the species.
Asian elephants are listed as “Endangered” and African elephants as ‘vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List of threatened species.
Indian Elephant has also been listed in the Appendix I of the Convention of the Migratory species and Schedule 1 of WPA, 1972.
Project Elephant: It is a centrally sponsored scheme which was launched in 1992 for their protection. The population of these animals was about 15000 when the project was started and has increased since then. It also led to setting up of different programs and agencies such as MIKE- Monitoring of Illegal Killing of Elephants and the Elephant Task Force (2003)

Agasthiyamalai Elephant reserve

The Agasthiyamalai in Tamil Nadu, adding 1197 sqkm of Protected Area dedicated for protection and conservation of elephants in India.
Asian elephant numbers in the Periyar-Agasthyamalai landscape are estimated to be 1,800 (Census 2010).
About 300 of them are found alone on the southern side in the Agasthiyarmalai Elephant Reserveand Mahendragiri hill ranges in the Neyyar, Shendurney, and Peppara Wildlife Sanctuaries and Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, all located in Thiruvananthapuram Forest Division.
The Periyar-Agasthyamalai region, which spans 5,600 sq km and 16 forest divisions in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, is home to the elephant population to the south of this.
The southern portion of the Periyar Plateau and its eastern spur, the Varushnad and Meghamalai hill ranges, the Achankoil valley, and the Agasthiyarmalai Elephant Reserve and Mahendragiri hill ranges on the southern side make up the elephant habitat in the landscape.
It can connect the populations to other areas in the SrivilliputhurMeghamalai tiger reserve and with the Periyar landscapes.

2. Essential Commodities Act

Subject: Polity

Section :Act

Context: To rein in tur dal price surge, Centre invokes Essential Commodities Act

Concept:

Essential Commodities Act

The ECA was enacted way back in 1955.
It has since been used by the Government to regulate the production, supply and distribution of a whole host of commodities it declares ‘essential’ in order to make them available to consumers at fair prices.
The list of items under the Act include drugs, fertilisers, pulses and edible oils, and petroleum and petroleum products.
The Centre can include new commodities as and when the need arises, and take them off the list once the situation improves.
Under the Act, the government can also fix the maximum retail price (MRP) of any packaged product that it declares an “essential commodity”.
How it works?
If the Centre finds that a certain commodity is in short supply and its price is spiking, it can notify stock-holding limits on it for a specified period.
The States act on this notification to specify limits and take steps to ensure that these are adhered to.
Anybody trading or dealing in a commodity, be it wholesalers, retailers or even importers are prevented from stockpiling it beyond a certain quantity.
A State can, however, choose not to impose any restrictions. But once it does, traders have to immediately sell into the market any stocks held beyond the mandated quantity.

3. Ramsar sites

Subject: Environment

Section :Conservation

Context: India adds 11 more wetlands to the list of Ramsar sites to make total 75 Ramsar sites covering an area of 13,26,677 ha in the country in the 75^th year of Independence.

Concept:

India is one of the Contracting Parties to Ramsar Convention, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. India signed it on 1^st Feb 1982.
During 1982 to 2013, a total of 26 sites were added to the list of Ramsar sites, however, during 2014 to 2022, the country has added 49 new wetlands to the list of Ramsar sites.
Tamil Nadu has maximum no. of Ramsar sites (14 nos), followed by UP which has 10 nos. of Ramsar sites.

Wetland	Geographical location	Species found	Economic and ecological significance
Tampara Lake	The most prominent freshwater lakes in the State of Odisha situated in Ganjam district. The depression on the ground gradually filled with rainwater from catchment flow and was called “Tamp” by the British and subsequently termed “Tampra” by the locals.	The wetland supports at least 60 species of birds, 46 species of fishes, at least 48 species of phytoplanktons, and more than seven species of terrestrial plants and macrophytes. The wetland is an important habitat for vulnerable species such as Cyprinus carpio, common pochard (Aythya ferina), and river tern (Sterna aurantia).	With an estimated average fish yield of 12 tonnes per year, the wetland is an important source of livelihood for the local communities. Along with fishes the wetland also provides provisioning services like water for agriculture, and domestic use and is a well-known tourism and recreation site.
Hirakud Reservoir	The largest earthen dam in Odisha started operating in 1957.	54 species of fish from the reservoir, one has been classed as being endangered, six near threatened and 21 fish species. Over 130 bird species have been recorded at this site, out of which 20 species are of high conservation significance	The reservoir is a source of water for producing around 300 MW of hydropower and irrigating 436,000 ha of cultural command area. The wetland also provides important hydrological services by moderating floods in the Mahanadi delta, the ecological and socio-economic hub of the east coast of India. Hirakud reservoir high touristic value with over 30,000 tourists annually visiting the site.
Ansupa Lake	The largest freshwater lake of Odisha situated in Banki sub-division of Cuttack district. The wetland is an oxbow lake formed by River Mahanadi and is spread over an area of 231 ha	The wetland is home to at least 194 species of birds, 61 species of fishes and 26 species of mammals in addition to 244 species of macrophytes. The wetland provides a safe habitat to at least three threatened bird species- Rynchopsalbicollis (EN), Sterna acuticauda (EN) and Sterna aurantia (VU) and three threatened fish species- Clariasmagur (Clariidae) (EN), Cyprinus carpio (Cyprinidae) (VU) and Wallago attu (VU).	Ansupa lake sustains the freshwater demands of the surrounding areas and also supports the livelihood of the local communities through fisheries and agriculture. The wetland has immense recreational and tourism potential as it is a major wintering ground for migratory birds and is also known for its scenic beauty.
Yashwant Sagar	An Important Bird Areas (IBA) in the Indore region as well as one of the most important birding sites in Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh. Yashwant Sagar reservoir comes under the jurisdiction of Indore City Municipal Corporation	A stronghold of the vulnerable Sarus Crane in central India. The lake backwaters have plenty of shallow areas, conducive for waders and other waterfowl	As the water level recedes, many islands serve as roosting sites for waterfowl. Due to its vast shallow reed beds, the wetland is considered heaven to a large number of winter migratory birds. Presently it is mainly used for water supply to the city of Indore.
Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary, locally known as “ChitrangudiKanmoli	It is located in Ramanathapuram district in Tamil Nadu. The wetland is a protected area since 1989 and declared as Bird Sanctuary, coming under the jurisdiction of Tamil Nadu Forest Department, Ramanathapuram division.	Around 50 birds belonging to 30 families have been reported from the site. Notable waterbirds spotted from the site area spot-billed pelican, little egret, grey heron, large egret, open billed stork, purple, and pond herons.	Chitrangudi is surrounded by agricultural fields, where different crops are grown throughout the year. The wetland also supports a number of fishes, amphibians, molluscs, aquatic insects, and their larvae forming good food sources for arriving waterbirds. Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary is an ideal habitat for winter migratory birds
SuchindrumTheroor Wetland complex	Its part of the Suchindrum-TheroorManakudi Conservation Reserve, Tamilnadu	It was formed for birds’ nesting purposes and it attracts thousands of birds every year. Around 250 species of birds have been recorded in the area, of which 53 are migratory, 12 endemic, and 4 threatened.	This is a man-made, inland Tank and is perennial. Copper plate inscriptions from the 9th century mention Pasumkulam, Venchikulam, Nedumarthukulam, Perumkulam, Elemchikulam and Konadunkulam. It is declared an Important Bird Area. It lies at the southern tip of the Central Asian flyway of migratory birds.
Vaduvur bird sanctuary	It spreads over an area of 112.638 ha, is a large human-made irrigation tank and shelter for migratory birds in Tamil nadu	Indian Pond Heron Ardeolagrayii occurred in most of the surveyed tanks. Large concentrations of wintering waterfowl such as Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope, Northern Pintail Anas acuta, Garganey Anas querquedula were recorded in tanks	Vaduvur Bird Sanctuary has a diverse habitat including a number of inlets and surrounding irrigated agricultural fields which provides good nesting and foraging habitats for birds. Thus, the site provides support to the species listed above during critical stages of their life-cycle.
Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary	It is a Protected area near MudukulathurRamanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu. India, declared in 1989.	The breeding population of migratory waterbirds arrive here between October and February and include: painted stork, white ibis, black ibis, little egret, great egret. The site qualifies as an IBA as the threatened Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanusphilippensis breeds here. The wetland exhibits rich biodiversity including many globally near-threatened species like Spot-billed Pelican, Oriental Darter, Oriental white Ibis and Painted Stork and also commonly occurring shore and water birds like greenshank, plovers, stilts and forest birds like bee-eaters, bulbuls, cuckoos, starlings, barbets, etc.	They act as breeding, nesting, roosting, foraging, and stopover sites for the birdsThe wetland supports IUCN RedList vulnerable avian species like Sterna aurantia (River Tern). It is notable as a nesting site for several migratory heron species that roost in the prominent growth of babul trees there. The site qualifies as an IBA.
Thane Creek	It is located in Maharashtra, India. There are several sources of fresh water to the creek, of which Ulhas River is the largest, followed by many drainage channels from various suburban areas of Mumbai, Navi Mumbai & Thane.	Over 202 avifaunal species, the creek also houses 18 species of fishes, crustaceans & molluscs, 59 species of butterflies, 67 species of Insects, and 35 species of phytoplankton, and 24 species of zooplankton & 23 species of Benthos.	It has been declared as Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary. Thane creek is fringed by mangroves on both banks & comprises around 20% of the total Indian mangrove species. The area is an important part of the wetland complex of the Central Asian Flyway of the birds and has been categorized as an Important Bird Area (IBA).
Hygam Wetland falls	The RiverJhelum basin and plays a significant role as a flood absorption basin, biodiversity conservation site, eco-tourism site, and livelihood security for the local communities. The wetland is located in the Baramulla district		It is also recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA). Consequent to the high rate of siltation, Hygam Wetland has lost its wetland characteristics to a large extent and in many places changed its profile into a landmass. Hygam Wetland provides a plethora of ecosystem services, these include fish and fiber, water supply, water purification, climate regulation, flood regulation, and recreational opportunities
Shallabug Wetland Conservation Reserve	It is located in the District Srinagar, UT of J&K. Large areas of the wetland dry up between September and March.	The area has extensive reedbeds of Phragmites communis and Typha angustata, and rich growth of Nymphaea candida and N. stellata on open water. It serves as an abode to more than four lakh resident and migratory birds of at least 21 species.	It is also important for seasonal water retention for wetlands or other areas of conservation importance downstream. The wetland is important for the recharge of aquifers. A major natural floodplain system. The wetland serves as an important breeding ground for many species of waterbirds

4. Why 1947 Boundary Commission awards for Punjab and Bengal irked India

Subject: History

Section : Modern India

Context:

On August 17, 1947, two days after Independence, the award of the Boundary Commissions for the partition of Punjab and Bengal was announced.

What were the two Boundary Commissions?

In June 1947, Sir Cyril John Radcliffe, a British lawyer, was made the Chairman of two boundary commissions of Punjab and Bengal and given the task to draw up the new borders of India and Pakistan. He was given a period of five weeks to complete this task and arrived in India in July 1947. The boundary commissions of Punjab and Bengal also included two nominees each of the Indian National Congress and Muslim League respectively.
The Boundary Commissions award was made public on August 17, 1947 also known as the Radcliffe Line.
The Radcliffe line divided India and Pakistan into two different countries. Radcliffe divided India into three halves:
- West Pakistan
- East Pakistan(present day Bangladesh) and
- India

5. Government to enumerate people who clean sewers

Subject: Government Scheme

Section : Modern India

Context:

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJ&E) is now preparing to undertake a nationwide survey to enumerate all people engaged in hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks, an activity that has led to at least 351 deaths since 2017.
Drawing a distinction between this work and manual scavenging, the Ministry insisted that the practice of manual scavenging no longer takes place in the country as all manual scavengers had been accounted for and enrolled into the rehabilitation scheme.
India banned the practice under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (PEMSR).
Rashtriya Garima Abhiyan: It started national wide march “Maila Mukti Yatra” for total eradication of manual scavenging from 30th November 2012 from Bhopal.
Ministry officials said that the enumeration exercise, soon to be conducted across 500 AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) cities, is part of the Union government’s National Action Plan for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE), which will streamline the process of rehabilitating sanitation workers and eventually merge with and replace the Self-Employment Scheme for the Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS), which was started in 2007.

NAMASTE scheme

The NAMASTE scheme is being undertaken jointly by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the MoSJ&E and aims to eradicate unsafe sewer and septic tank cleaning practices
The Ministry’s Standing Finance Committee has already cleared ₹360 crore for this project — to be spent over the next four years.
Parts of this project, already in the works for the past two years, have led to municipal commissioners being declared as the Responsible Sanitation Authorities (RSAs) and Sanitation Response Units (SRUs) being set up in 200 cities, where the national helpline for addressing sanitation needs (14420) has also been operationalised.
Ultimate aim of the scheme is to link these sanitation workers to the SwachhtaUdyami Yojana, through which the workers will be able to own sanitation machines themselves and the government will ensure that at the municipality level, the work keeps coming in
Other benefits under the scheme will include capital subsidies of up to Rs 5 lakh on sanitation machinery costing up to Rs 15 lakh and interest subsidies on loans, where interest rates will be capped between 4-6% for the beneficiaries, with the government taking care of the rest of the interest.
In addition, the scheme also provides for training the workers in the use of these machines, during which time a stipend of up to Rs 3,000 per month will be provided. The scheme will also provide for sanitation workers to train for and go into any of the approved list of alternative occupations in sectors like agriculture, services, electronics assembling, handicrafts and so on.

SwachhtaUdyami Yojana

National SafaiKaramcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC), an Apex Corporation of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, has launched “SwachhtaUdyami Yojana” on 2.10.2014.
The objective of the Scheme is to provide concessional loan for viable community toilet projects and sanitation related vehicles to collect the garbage, to consolidate the ongoing efforts for realising the objectives of the ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ launched by Prime Minister on 2nd October, 2014.
Under the Scheme, entrepreneurs among safaikarmacharis and identified manual scavengers can avail loan upto defined ceiling at concessional rate of interest @ 4% per annum. In case of women beneficiaries, there is a rebate of 1% in the rate of interest charged.
No State/ Union Territory wise budget allocations are made under the Scheme as funds are to be provide to the channelizing agencies on the basis of the proposals received from them.

AMRUT

Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) is the new avatar of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). But, in a significant departure from the earlier mission, the Centre will not appraise individual projects.

Five hundred cities have been selected under AMRUT. The category of cities that have been selected under AMRUT is given below:

All Cities and Towns with a population of over one lakh with notified Municipalities as per Census 2011, including Cantonment Boards (Civilian areas).
All Capital Cities/Towns of States/ UTs, not covered in above.
All Cities/ Towns classified as Heritage Cities by MoHUA under the HRIDAY Scheme.
Thirteen Cities and Towns on the stem of the main rivers with a population above 75,000 and less than 1 lakh.
Ten Cities from hill states, islands and tourist destinations (not more than one from each State).

Implementation:

AMRUT adopts a project approach to ensure basic infrastructure services relating to water supply, sewerage, storm-water drains, transportation and development of green spaces and parks with special provision for meeting the needs of children.
Under this mission, 10% of the budget allocation will be given to states and union territories as incentive based on the achievement of reforms during the previous year.
States will only submit state annual action Plans to the centre for broad concurrence based on which funds will be released.
Central assistance will be to the extent of 50% of project cost for cities and towns with a population of up to 10 lakhs and one-third of the project cost for those with a population of above 10 lakhs.
Under the mission, states will transfer funds to urban local bodies within 7 days of transfer by central governmentand no diversion of funds to be made failing which penal interest would be charged besides taking other adverse action by the centre.

AMRUT 2.0:

100% coverage of water supply to all households in around 4,700 urban local bodies by providing about 68 crore tap connections.
100% coverage of sewerage and septage in 500 AMRUT cities by providing around 64 crore sewers/ septage connections.
Adopt the principles of Circular Economy (Generating wealth from waste using 3Rs)
Promote conservation and rejuvenation of surface and groundwater bodies.
Data led governance in water management
Technology Sub-Mission to leverage latest global technologies and skills.
‘Pey Jal Survekshan’: To promote competition among cities.

6. What are the rules for displaying the Tricolour?

Subject: History

Section : Modern India

Context:

Retailers in cities, towns and villages are witnessing high sales of the flag as people prepare to celebrate the 75th Independence Day by participating in the government’s Har GharTiranga campaign, being held under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav programme.

Concept :

There are a number of rules surrounding the act of hoisting or displaying the Tricolour. These instructions are contained in the Flag Code of India 2002 and upheld by the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.

Who is allowed to fly a national flag and on which days?

According to the Flag Code of India, paragraph 2.2, which came into effect on January 26, 2002, any person, organisation, private or public, or educational institution (including scout camps) can hoist or display the Tricolour on “all days or occasions in accordance with the dignity and honour of the National Flag”.

How should you choose a flag?

The flag can be as big or small as one wants “but the ratio of the length to the height (width) of the National Flag shall be 3:2”.
So, the flag must always be a rectangle rather than square or any other shape. After an amendment on December 30, 2021, the material of the flag has been decided as “handspun and handwoven or machine-made, cotton, polyester, wool, silk or khadi bunting”. If the flag is placed in the open or on the house of a member of the public, it may be flown day and night.

What if your flag is damaged by the elements or otherwise?

It is against rules to display a damaged or disheveled National Flag. At all times, the National Flag must be displayed in a position of honour and should be distinctly placed.
“No other flag or bunting shall be placed higher than or above or side by side with the National Flag; nor shall any object including flowers or garlands, or emblem be placed on or above the flagmast from which the National Flag is flown”. The Tricolour should never be used as a festoon, rosette, bunting or for a decorative purpose. No advertisements should be festooned to the pole from which it flies.

Is it ok to wear the Tricolour in a display of love for the nation?

A person is forbidden by law to use the national flag “as a portion of costume or uniform”. It cannot be used as an accessory to be worn below the waist of any person “nor shall it be embroidered or printed on cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, undergarments or any dress material”.

Can it be put up on vehicles?

The National Flag cannot be flown on any vehicle except those of the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Governor and other dignitaries. The flag should also not be used to cover the sides, back, and top of any vehicle.

What should you do with the Tricolour after Independence Day?

The Tricolour should not be stored in a way that might dirty or damage it. In case your flag is damaged, the Flag Code instructs you not to cast it aside or treat it disrespectfully but “destroy it as a whole in private, preferably by burning or by any method consistent with the dignity of the flag”.
People, who are waving flags made of paper, should not throw these on the ground after the ceremony. The flag “shall not be allowed to touch the ground or the floor or trail in the water”.

What is the punishment for disrespecting the flag?

According to Section 2 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, “whoever in any public place or in any other place within public view burns, mutilates, defaces, defiles, disfigures, destroys, tramples upon or otherwise brings into contempt (whether by words, either spoken or written, or by acts) the Indian National Flag….shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with a fine, or with both”.

7. New research: Giant meteorite impacts created continents

Subject: Science and Technology

Section :Space

Context:

A new Curtin University study has found the most robust evidence yet showing that Earth’s continents were formed by giant meteorite impacts. The paper, ‘Giant impacts and the origin and evolution of continents’, was published in Nature on August 10.
By examining tiny crystals of the mineral zircon in rocks from the Pilbara Craton in Western Australia, which represents Earth’s best-preserved remnant of ancient crust, we found evidence of these giant meteorite impacts.
Studying the composition of oxygen isotopes in these zircon crystals revealed a ‘top-down’ process starting with the melting of rocks near the surface and progressing deeper, consistent with the geological effect of giant meteorite impacts. University research provides the first solid evidence that the processes that ultimately formed the continents began with giant meteorite impacts

What’s the Difference Between a Meteoroid, a Meteor, and a Meteorite?

Meteoroids are objects in space that range in size from dust grains to small asteroids.Most are pieces of other, larger bodies that have been broken or blasted off. These come from comets, asteroids, planets and the Moon.
When meteoroids enter Earth’s atmosphere (or that of another planet, like Mars) at high speed and burn up, the fireballs or “shooting stars” are called meteors.
When a meteoroid survives its journey through the atmosphere and hits the ground, it’s called a meteorite.

8. Bengaluru woman goes to Delhi HC to stop friend’s euthanasia trip to Europe

Subject: Polity

Section :Constitution

Context:

A 49-year-old woman from Bengaluru wants the court to stop her friend, a Noida-based 48-year-old man with a debilitating health condition, from travelling to Europe allegedly to undergo assisted suicide or euthanasia — an option not available in India to a person who is not terminally ill.
According to the petition, the patient earlier obtained a Schengen visa, which allows unrestricted travel to 26 European countries, by providing “false information” that he is seeking treatment at a clinic in Belgium.
In 2011, voters in Zurich rejected Swiss plans to ban assisted suicide or outlaw it for foreigners. Many countries, including Singapore, have come under criticism for promoting “suicide tourism”.
In 2018, the Supreme Court had delivered a landmark ruling that made passive euthanasia legal for terminally illindividuals, allowing them to decline the use of life support measures, and letting families of those in incurable coma to withdraw such measures.
While Section 309 of IPC criminalisesattempted suicide, the Mental Healthcare Act Section 115(1) states that “any person who attempts to commit suicide shall be presumed, unless proved otherwise, to have severe stress and shall not be tried and punished under the said Code.”

Aruna Ramachandra Shanbaug Judgement 2011

Supreme court in 2011 recognised passive euthanasia in this case by which it had permitted withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment from patients not in a position to make an informed decision.
Subsequent to this, in a landmark judgment (2018), the Supreme Court recognised passive euthanasia and “living will”.

Living Will

A ‘living will’ is a concept where a patient can give consent that allows withdrawal of life support systems if the individual is reduced to a permanent vegetative state with no real chance of survival.
An adult with a sound and healthy mind can make a Living Will.
It should be voluntarily executed and based on informed consent.
It should be expressed in specific terms in a language “absolutely clear and unambiguous”
The Living Will should contain the circumstances in which medical treatment should be withheld or withdrawn.
It should give the name of the “guardian or close relative” who will give the go-ahead for starting the procedure of passive euthanasia.
It should specify that the Will can be revoked any time.
An individual has the right to withdraw or alter the Living Will, but only in writing.
So, if there are more than one Living Will, the latest one will be valid.
The Will shall be attested by two independent witnesses.
It should preferably be counter-signed by the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) who is assigned the jurisdiction by the District Court.

Rationale behind SC judgment

Right to Die – The Supreme Court has upheld that the fundamental right to life and dignity includes right to refuse treatment and die with dignity.
Dignified death – Lack of legal backing sometimes lead to suffering and undignified death of the patient.
Individual Liberty – The issue of death and when to die transcended the boundaries of law.