Current Affairs 18 March 2026

98th Academy Awards (Oscar Awards)

At the 98th Academy Awards, the film One Battle After Another won the Best Picture award, marking a major milestone for director Paul Thomas Anderson, who received his first Oscar.

The film won six Oscars, including:

• Best Picture
• Best Director (Paul Thomas Anderson)
• Best Adapted Screenplay

Other key winners:

• Michael B. Jordan – Best Actor
• Jessie Buckley – Best Actress (for Hamnet)
• Autumn Durald Arkapaw – Made history as the first female Director of Photography to win Best Cinematography

Andhra Pradesh has become the first state in India to receive the ‘Pramaan’ certification

Andhra Pradesh has become the first state in India to receive the ‘Pramaan’ certification under the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme.

The certification is being awarded to the Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation for eucalyptus cultivation outside forest areas.

The Pramaan certification (Programme for Recognition and Accreditation of Sustainable Management Practices) was launched in 2023 by the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change to promote sustainable forest and agroforestry practices.

Key Highlights:

• Issued by Indian Institute of Forest Management
• Ensures legality, traceability, and sustainability of forest produce
• Covers evaluation of environmental, economic, and social parameters

Andhra Pradesh secured first position for its World Hypertension Day awareness campaigns

Andhra Pradesh has received national recognition for its World Hypertension Day awareness campaigns (May 17), securing the top position jointly with Karnataka.

The campaigns were conducted under the guidance of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, which issued nationwide guidelines for awareness programmes from May 17 to June 16.

“Statue of Sacrifice” was unveiled in Amaravati

A 58-foot bronze statue of Potti Sriramulu named “Statue of Sacrifice” was unveiled in Amaravati at Sakhamuru Park by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on the occasion of his 125th birth anniversary.

Key Highlights:

• The statue commemorates Sriramulu’s 58-day fast unto death, which led to the formation of Andhra State (1953).
• Part of Sri Potti Sriramulu Memorial Park Project (spread across 6.8 acres).
• Recognises Potti Sriramulu’s sacrifice for linguistic states.

Fertiliser Consumption in Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh has emerged as one of the leading states in fertilizer consumption during the Rabi 2025–26 season, reflecting intensive agricultural activity.

Key Highlights:

• Top Urea Consuming Districts in A.P.:
  • SPSR Nellore – 69,005 MT (highest in the State)
  • Tirupati – 46,948 MT
  • Palnadu – 47,024 MT
• DAP (Diammonium Phosphate) National Rankings (2025):
  • Nandyal – 1st in India
  • Palnadu – 8th
  • Bapatla – 49th

Reasons for High Fertilizer Usage:

• Intensive paddy cultivation
• Multiple cropping patterns
• Strong irrigation support (canals & tanks)
• Expansion of horticulture crops

Disclaimer: This article is prepared for competitive exam preparation using publicly available information.