New Delhi, Dec. 27 -- Dear reader, as 2025, a year of global tumult and volatility, rolls by, Mint's reporters and columnists look around the corner on what is coming in 2026-to help you know what to expect and prepare for it. Tell us what you think at feedback@livemint.com.

Mumbai: After decades of calm, India's paints industry has seen its equilibrium disrupted over the past year, as deep-pocketed conglomerates moved in-first with Aditya Birla Group's Birla Opus, followed by JSW Paints' acquisition of Dutch major Akzo Nobel's India business.

As competition surged, the industry's largest players prioritised growth, often at the expense of near-term profitability. One theme stood out in 2025: the paint war is far from over in India's Rs...