A 2026 preview in charts: US turns 250, GTA VI release, sports galas, state polls and more
2026 is poised to be a year of monumental moments, marked by a summer of Assembly elections in India, an intensifying global space race, and major sporting events — notably the FIFA World Cup and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.The year also marks the US completing 250 years of independence, Bangladesh heading to the polls for the first time since former PM Sheikh Hasina’s ouster, India hosting the 18th Brics Summit, Apple turning 50, and the long-awaited release of GTA VI, the open-world action-adventure franchise. All of these set the stage for a packed year ahead.
Here’s a snapshot of what’s coming.2026 is set to be a major election year, with assembly polls due in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry, most likely by April 2026.The year follows elections in Delhi and Bihar in 2025, both of which were won by the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). With this, around 70% of Indians now live in states ruled by the NDA, a Mint analysis shows.This share had peaked at 75% in 2017, and had dropped in subsequent years after some losses.
However, the alliance has made a comeback with wins in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Delhi in recent years. The following chart shows the population share ruled by each party or alliance at the end of every year.
The new year is shaping up to be a monumental one for space exploration as well. India will be one step closer to joining the league of human spaceflight nations with the launch of its first uncrewed mission of the Gaganyaan programme, featuring the robot Vyommitra on board the crew module.At the same time, the US space agency NASA is expected to fly its crewed Moon mission comprising four astronauts under the Artemis programme.
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