UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Bill to allow assisted dying in England and Wales is set to fall as time runs out

Q1. During its committee stage in the House of Lords, the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill attracted a number of amendments described as a record for a backbench bill. Approximately how many amendments were tabled?

  • A. Over 1,200
  • B. Around 120
  • C. Around 330
  • D. Around 600

Q2. Consider the following statements distinguishing a Private Member's Bill from a Government Bill in the UK Parliament. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Unlike a Government Bill, a Private Member's Bill is introduced by a backbench MP rather than a minister.
  2. Private Members' Bills are allotted the same guaranteed priority and parliamentary time as Government Bills.
  3. Only a limited number of Private Members' Bills are taken up for consideration each session.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. The power of the House of Lords to reject a money bill was effectively removed — such bills may receive royal assent after one month whether or not the Lords consent. This was first established under which of the following?

  • A. The Parliament Act 1911
  • B. The Parliament Act 1949
  • C. The Life Peerages Act 1958
  • D. The House of Lords Act 1999

Q4. Under the Parliament Act 1949, a public bill (other than one extending the life of Parliament) can become law without the Lords' consent provided the Commons passes it in how many successive parliamentary sessions?

  • A. One
  • B. Two
  • C. Three
  • D. Four

Q5. Consider the following statements about the legislative passage of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. At its Commons third reading on 20 June 2025 the Bill passed by 314 votes to 291.
  2. The Bill received its second reading in the House of Commons in November 2024.
  3. The Bill completed all its stages in the House of Lords and received Royal Assent in 2026.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was steered through the House of Commons not by a government department but by whom?

  • A. Kim Leadbeater, a backbench Labour MP
  • B. The Department of Health and Social Care
  • C. The Ministry of Justice
  • D. The Government Chief Whip

Q7. In the classification of end-of-life practices, 'non-voluntary euthanasia' is best described as euthanasia that is:

  • A. carried out when a decision is made on behalf of a patient who is incapable of giving consent
  • B. always carried out against the clearly expressed wishes of a competent patient
  • C. carried out only where the patient personally self-administers the lethal medication
  • D. limited strictly to the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment at a competent patient's request

Q8. In the United States, whether physician-assisted dying ('medical aid in dying') is lawful is determined principally at which level?

  • A. Individual state legislatures
  • B. The federal Congress
  • C. The US Supreme Court
  • D. The Food and Drug Administration

Q9. With reference to the position on euthanasia in Indian law, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. In the Aruna Shanbaug case the Supreme Court laid down guidelines permitting passive euthanasia.
  2. Passive euthanasia involves the withdrawal or withholding of life-sustaining treatment.
  3. In Common Cause v. Union of India (2018) the Supreme Court recognised the validity of a living will / advance directive.
  4. The Supreme Court has legalised active (voluntary) euthanasia for all terminally ill adults in India.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 4 only
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 3 only

Q10. The ethical debate over assisted dying in England and Wales is set against the current criminal-law backdrop under which assisting another person's suicide is an offence punishable by up to 14 years' imprisonment. This offence is created by which of the following?

  • A. The Suicide Act 1961
  • B. The Homicide Act 1957
  • C. The Mental Capacity Act 2005
  • D. The Human Rights Act 1998