New Delhi, Jan. 3 -- Dear reader,

As 2025 slips into the history books, it leaves behind a year of noise, anxiety, and uneasy optimism. Mint's reporters and columnists are turning their gaze to 2026, not just to tell you what might happen, but what it could mean for everyday life.

India is on the brink of a headline moment, inching towards a $4 trillion economy and global top-tier status. Yet the mood on the ground feels more complicated. From angry crowds protesting dirty air at a Lionel Messi appearance to stretched trains, delayed airlines, and unaffordable homes, the signals are mixed. Growth is visible, but comfort is not evenly shared.

The coming year will test whether reforms, tax cuts, and big infrastructure bets can translate ...