The Supreme Court of India has ordered the Centre to pay ex-gratia compensation to the families of COVID-19 victims. Background: The case pertains to a petition filed by a group of citizens, seeking directions to the Centre to pay ex-gratia compensation to the families of COVID-19 victims. Parties: The petitioners argued that the Centre was obligated to pay ex-gratia compensation to the families of COVID-19 victims, as the right to life was a fundamental right enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution. The respondents, the Union of India, defended their actions, stating that they were providing relief to the families of COVID-19 victims. Legal issues: The primary issue before the court was whether the Centre was obligated to pay ex-gratia compensation to the families of COVID-19 victims. The court also examined the issue of whether the payment of ex-gratia compensation was a constitutional obligation. Court observations: The Supreme Court observed that the Centre was obligated to pay ex-gratia compensation to the families of COVID-19 victims, as the right to life was a fundamental right enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution. The court noted that the payment of ex-gratia compensation was a constitutional obligation, as it was necessary to provide relief to the families of COVID-19 victims. Significance: The judgment is significant as it orders the Centre to pay ex-gratia compensation to the families of COVID-19 victims. The court's observation that the payment of ex-gratia compensation is a constitutional obligation is also noteworthy. The judgment is likely to have far-reaching implications for the welfare of the families of COVID-19 victims in India and may lead to further reforms in the area of social welfare.