Top News Highlights- 14 August 2024

Impact Assessment of Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana

• Credit Support Expansion: Since its inception in 2015, the scheme has supported 35 crore micro and small entrepreneur accounts.
• Empowering Women: Approximately 71% of these accounts belong to women, highlighting significant strides in financial inclusion.
• Challenges and Recommendations: The report suggests enhancing the Credit Guarantee Fund and digital interventions to streamline processes and expand reach.

Security Concerns at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

• Incident of Fire: Recently, a fire at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant was labeled as nuclear terrorism.
• Regulatory Insights: This incident underlines the importance of international nuclear safety and security regulations, including ICSANT and IAEA’s seven pillars.
• India’s Nuclear Framework: India’s robust nuclear governance, including the Atomic Energy Act and Weapons of Mass Destruction Act, ensures a high standard of nuclear safety.

Tungabhadra Dam’s Crest Gate Collapse

• Dam Safety Concerns: The collapse brings attention to the broader issue of aging infrastructure and dam safety in India.
• Legislative Actions: The Dam Safety Act 2021 and initiatives like DHARMA aim to address these challenges.
• Environmental and Safety Repercussions: Such incidents highlight the environmental risks and the need for regular maintenance and monitoring of dam structures.

Global Employment Trends for Youth 2024

• Youth Unemployment: The report shows a reduction in global youth unemployment rates to the lowest in 15 years.
• Inequality Issues: It also discusses significant regional disparities and educational mismatches affecting youth employment.
• Policy Recommendations: Emphasizes enhanced education, targeted labor market policies, and the promotion of entrepreneurship among young individuals.

Implementation of the NCAHP Act, 2021

• Supreme Court Intervention: Directives have been issued to expedite the implementation of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act.
• Healthcare Professional Regulation: The act aims to standardize qualifications and improve the regulation of training institutions.
• Implications for Healthcare Quality: Proper implementation will ensure high standards of healthcare and patient safety.

AUKUS Agreement on Naval Nuclear Propulsion

• Strategic Shifts: The agreement facilitates the transfer of nuclear submarine technology to Australia, aiming to strengthen Indo-Pacific security.
• Non-Proliferation Compliance: It also addresses nuclear non-proliferation concerns by stipulating conditions on uranium enrichment and nuclear waste management.
• Implications for Regional Dynamics: This move could reshape the security architecture in the Indo-Pacific, with potential impacts on India’s strategic autonomy.

Key Concepts and Policies

• Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana: A central sector scheme aimed at providing loans to micro-units to promote entrepreneurship.
• Nuclear Terrorism: Involves the use or threat of nuclear materials to cause harm, highlighting the need for stringent security measures.
• Dam Safety Act 2021: A legislative framework aimed at ensuring the safety and operational efficiency of dams across India.
• Global Employment Trends for Youth: An ILO report that analyses the employment scenario among youth globally, providing insights for policy interventions.