No 14679, Wednesday 31 Dec 2025, Hypatia

Solution to 22A has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered by a non-regular/novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

Open for anyone to answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Stretches promises (6) SPELLS [DD]

4   Oddly planned gifts for scholar (6) PANDIT {PlAnNeD+gIfTs}

9   Killer whale leads in openly ruthless calculated assaults (4) ORCA Acrostic

10 Household item massaging the cop's leg (7,3) CLOTHES PEG*

11 Dehradun is only conducting concert (6) UNISON [T]

12 Busy forever? (8) TIMELESS [DD]

13 Spooner's blank call to conservative party group (5,4) RIGHT WING (~white ring to right wing)

15 Chant of discontented holy man (4) HYMN {HolY+MaN}

16 Dumpling in two seconds (4) MOMO {MO}{MO}

17 Thorough search making Middle Eastern VIP reportedly upset (9) SHAKEDOWN (~sheik down)

21 Lighter female hit by boyfriend (8) FLAMBEAU {F}{LAM}{BEAU}

22 Watch dad curbing online bully (6) P?T?O?

24 Little kid recalled actor behind royal palace (10) BUCKHINGAM {CUB<=}{HAM}<=>{KING}

25 Nothing lost from fixing bogus software issues (4) BUGS BoGUS*

26 Cool staff tackling an attack (6) INROAD {IN}{RO{A}D}

27 Indian legislation protecting politician's influence (6) IMPACT {I}{MP}{ACT}

DOWN

1   Playing ragas in musical instrument (7) SARANGI*

2   Miss supporting old American in tests (5) EXAMS {MS}<=>{EX}{A}

3   Fortune gained returning to city (7) LUCKNOW {LUCK}{WON<=}

5   In mixed metaphor mostly covering page (2,4) AT HOME {METApHOr}*

6   Departed, bored by cycling games shown (9) DISPLAYED {DI{(+s)SPLAY(-s)}ED}

7   Betrayal in the conclusion of Grant's "About a boy" (7) TREASON {g..nT}{RE}{A}{SON}

8   Preoccupied tonight..uh? (4,2,7) LOST IN THOUGHT {TONIGHT+UH}* [RA]

14 Me? Am ok, actively nurtured by that woman - the one in charge of the house (9) HOMEMAKER {ME+AM+OK}* in {HER}

16 Find out Gulf army regularly set up fictional location (7) MALGUDI {fInD+oUt+SuLf+ArMy}<=

18 What the younger brother did in "Deewar"? Stayed silent! (4,3) KEPT MUM [DD]

19 Eschew rough Tarantino films made (7) WROUGHT [T]

20 Ambassador runs in a scary condition (6) HERNIA {HE}{R}{IN+A}*

23 Maestro ably performing in Mysore with this set of drums (5) TABLA {TABLA+MYSORE}*={MAESTRO+ABLY} [CA]

Reference List

Second = MO, Female = F, Cool = IN, Indian = I, Miss = MS, American = A, Page = P, About = RE, Runs = R

No 14678, Tuesday 30 Dec 2025, Dr. X

Solution to 26A has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered by a non-regular/novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

Open for anyone to answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1 & 23 What chick will do to overcome shyness (4,3,2,4,5) COME OUT OF ONES SHELL [C&DD]

8   Old Mexican's worried, smuggling unknown drug (5) AZTEC {A{Z}TE}{C}

9   European's murder on street right outside entrance to discotheque (9) ICELANDER {ICE}{LAN{Di...e}E}{R}

11 Promiscuous prince and single girl in old penthouse close to lake (10) PROFLIGATE {PR}{O}{FL{1}{G}AT}{lakE}

12 Part of Far East region (4) AREA [T]

14 Rather badly stained (7) INSTEAD*

16 Entrap rogue ensnaring women in European city (7) ANTWERP {ANT{W}ERP*}

17 Managed to break reactionary party's dreams (7) TRANCES {RAN} in {SECT<=}

19 Rebellious guy, one with endless prejudice in African country (7) NAMIBIA {MAN<=}{1}{BIAs}

21 Observes escort in retreat, going around yard (4) EYES {SE{Y}E<=}

22 Stanzas about a seedy French commune (10) VERSAILLES {VERS{A}{ILL}ES}

25 Teens excited about new show in American state (9) TENNESSEE {TE{N}NES*}{SEE}

26 Snap of farm alongside lake (5) G?O?L (Addendum - GROWL {GROW}{L} - See comments)

27 Slick red coat, pants - special attire for semi-formal wear (8,5) COCKTAIL DRESS {SLICK+RED+COAT}*{S}

DOWN

2   Ousted unexpectedly after leader of opposition excels (7) OUTDOES {OUSTED}*<=>{Op...n}

3   Quality of old prison wall, not fine (10) EXCELLENCE {EX}{CELL}{fENCE}

4   Exploiting posh leader of group concealing immorality (5) USING {U}{SIN}{Gr..p}

5   Exercise excessively in public followed by shower (9) OVERTRAIN {OVERT}{RAIN}

6   Italian going topless in Middle Eastern country (4) OMAN rOMAN

7   Back and butt, terribly sore (7) ENDORSE {END}{SORE*}

8   Starts to apply perfume, powder and gel for date (11) APPOINTMENT {Ap..y}{Pe...e}{Po...r}{OINTMENT}

10 Reassessment of paper with liars suspiciously securing first-class (11) REAPPRAISAL {PAPER+LIARS}* over {A}

13 Drive to pick up a little more liquor and good sweetmeat (4,6) STEM GINGER {STE{More}{GIN}{G}ER}

15 Awful male ignored dismay about a little spurious spirit giving indigestion (9) DYSPEPSIA {DISmAY}* Over {Sp...s}{PEP}

18 Consumed fresh tea in pot after removing lid (3,4) ATE INTO {TEA+IN+pOT}*

20 Crooks stifling the Spanish lady's screams (7) BELLOWS {B{EL}{L}OWS}

23 See 1 Across

24 Caress back in work centre (4) NECK [T<=]

Reference List

Unknown = Z, Drug = C(ocaine), Right = R, Prince = PR, Old = O, Women = W, Yard = Y, New = N, Lake = L,  Special = S, Old = EX, Fine = F, Posh = U, Good = G, Male = M, The in Spanish = EL, Lady = L

No 14677, Monday 29 Dec 2025, Dr. X

Solution to 14A has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered by a non-regular/novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

Open for anyone to answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1 & 21 What nuclear-armed enemies might do to create a sensation (3,3,5,2,4) SET THE WORLD ON FIRE [C&DD]

8   Scientific head checks piece of microfilm briefly (5) FICHE [T]

9   Government worried about drug cartel and mob (9) GATHERING {G}{AT{H}E}{RING}

11 Regret my cracks about a model's intelligence (4,6) GREY MATTER {REGRET+MY}* over {A}{T}

12 Wild cat's excited, turning most furious (4) PUMA {UP<=}{MAd}

14 Rushed to rest after time travel (7) T?A?S?T (Addendum - TRANSIT {RAN}{SIT}<=< {T} - See comments)

16 Belched in bar? Reduce fizzy drinks (7) ERUCTED {T} in {REDUCE}*

17 Utahan lady naughtily showing tongue (7) NAHUATL {UTAHAN+L}*

19 Excitement about one old 3-D model of scene (7) DIORAMA {D{1}{O}RAMA}

21 See 1

22 Consuming bit of stimulant, chatter at rave continuously (2,1,7) AT A STRETCH {St...t} in {CHATTER+AT}*

25 Scoundrel in retreat picking up model after work for a very high price (3,6) TOP DOLLAR {RAT<=} over {DOLL}<=>{OP}

26 Article on iridium is belonging to them (5) THEIR {THE}{IR}

27 One injured in Everest can get specialised medical treatment (9,4) INTENSIVE CARE {1}{IN+EVEREST+CAN}

DOWN

2   Waste matter in old, blue crate (7) EXCRETA {EX}{CRATE}*

3   Switched to the smart device regulating temperature (10) THERMOSTAT*

4   Number of women leaving force (5) EIGHT wEIGHT

5   Sick, need month for recovering (2,3,4) ON THE MEND*

6   Stare as fish goes around river (4) LEER {EEL<=}{R}

7   Do cut very artfully, protecting one's fallopian tube (7) OVIDUCT {DO+CUT+V} over {1}

8   Battling outbreak very well (8,3) FIGHTING FIT {FIGHTING}{FIT}

10 Chubby woman behind magnificent relative (11) GRANDFATHER {FAT}{HER}<=>{GRAND}

13 Absolute jerk chasing American associate outside High Court (10) AUTOCRATIC {TIC}<=>{A}{A} over {COURT*}

15 Latest novel has completely fanciful stories (4,5) TALL TALES {T{ALL}TALES*}

18 Obtained pot filled with right, dense layer of soil (4-3) HARD-PAN {HAD}{PAN} over {R}

20 African mammal in barn ate bananas (3,4) ANT BEAR*

23 Proves devious president eliminated former chairman of KGB (5) SEROV pROVES*

24 European lecturer enthralled by American writer (4) POLE {PO{L}E}

Reference List

Government = G, Drug = H(eroin), Time = T, Excited = UP, Bar = T, Lady = L, Old = O, Work = OP, Old = EX, Women = W, River = R, Very = V, American = A, Associate = A, President = P, Lecturer = L

Special, Sunday 28 Dec 2025, IXL 2025 Prelim 1, Bhalchandra Pasupathy

Three answers per commenter till 1 PM (Annotations compulsory) 

Please submit all your answers in one comment.  

(COMMENTS ENTERED WITH LESS THAN THREE ANSWERS/ANNOTATIONS WILL BE DELETED WITHOUT NOTICE, UNLESS THE COMMENTER SPECIFIES THAT IT IS A COMPENSATION FOR A REPEAT)

Solutions will be available in the grid after 1 PM.

Enjoy.

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 36, Sunday 28 Dec 2025, Incognito

ACROSS

8   Festive event in Nagaland (4) GALA [T]

9   Portable weapons? They are not really useful to T.rex (5,4) SMALL ARMS [DD]

10 See 9 (4)

11 Renews road surface and passes on (6) RELAYS [DD]

12 Wildly rode into settlement and demolished (4,4) TORE DOWN {T{RODE*}OWN}

13 Arranged parts with each groom (8) STRAPPER {PARTS}*}{PER}

15 Nurses accepting setter's disease (6) CARIES {CAR{I}ES}

17 Revealed ox speed was wrongly stated (7) EXPOSED*

19 Alleged, "Medical is botched up" (7) CLAIMED*

22 Go with Cortes on tour (6) ESCORT*

24 Start part of play that is about tax (8) ACTIVATE {ACT}{I{VAT}E}

26 A piece of legislation about commencement of indigenous repair covers Royal Air Force planes (8) AIRCRAFT {A{I}{Rr...r}CT} over {RAF}

28 Accident is initially highlighted in diagrammatic representation of a location (6) MISHAP {M{IS}{Hi...d}AP}

30 Mark's comrades leaving demo running away (4) SCAR {ComRAdeS}*

31 Usage charges cover right to trouble (5) TROLL {T{R}OLL}

32 Atop church at one time (4) ONCE {ON}{CE}

DOWN

1   Romantic outing in Nalgonda, Telangana (4) DATE [T]

2   Maiden leaves loveless Ramgoolam crazy when going round a Trump resort (3-1-4) MAR-A-LAGO {RAmGoOLAM}*

3   Fully consumes unusually small energy source under pressure, for starters (4,2) USES-UP Acrostic

4   Artillery unit's source of electricity (7) BATTERY [DD]

5   Pastoral caller, perhaps, is around 99 (8) CLERICAL {CLER{IC}AL*}

6   Large viper gets climbing aid (6) LADDER {L}{ADDER}

7   Some men exhibit warheads at first... Duck! (4) SMEW Acrostic

14 State taxes revised (5) TEXAS*

16 Pick the Spanish court for covering last case (5) ELECT {EL}{CT} over {casE}

18 Pulls out old pamphlets (8) EXTRACTS {EX}{TRACTS}

20 Attack extraordinary North American vision (8) INVASION {NA+VISION}*

21 Attends to Sherlock's doctor around one (5,2) WAITS ON {WA{1}TSON}

23 Old Charlie's endless curse happens (6) OCCURS {O}{C}{CURSe}

25 Acrobat leaves redhead in fall (6) TUMBLE TUMBLEr

27 Short distance in Winchester (4) INCH [HIPS]

29 Car damaged hospital's curved structure (4) ARCH {CAR*}{H}

Reference List

Right = R, Church = CE, Maiden =M, 99 = IC, Large = L, The in Spanish = EL Court = CT, Old = O, Charlie = C, Hospital = H

No 14676, Saturday 27 Dec 2025, Dr. X

 ACROSS
1 Dynamic gaoler surely has good collection of mugshots (6,7) ROGUE'S GALLERY {GAOLER SURELY}* over {G}

8 Hot escort in retreat entertaining fifty scoundrels (5) HEELS {H}{S{L}EE<}
9 Kids of India's top detective inspector caught breaking laws (9) RIDICULES {R{India}{DI}{C}ULES}
11 & 7 What billiards player will do// to make the first move (3,3,4,7) GET THE BALL ROLLING [DD]
12 Chemical element extracted from quartz in colliery (4) ZINC [T]

14 Mask for each lad and gal at centre (7) PERSONA {PER}{SON}{gAl}
16 One collecting hard pebbles on a beach (7) SHINGLE {S{H}INGLE}

17 Uproar in trial involving oriental politician (7) TEMPEST {T{E}{MP}EST}
19 Excellent associate tackling good boy's recurrent neurological disorder (7) AGNOSIA {A{G}{SON<}I}{A}
21 Stop bowler crossing line (4) HALT {HA{L}T}
22 Pop a capsule to gain power and energy? Nonsense! (5,5) APPLE SAUCE {A CAPSULE}* around {P} then {E}
25 Director's explanation about year with ultimately horrendous period of low rainfall (3,6) DRY SEASON {D}{R{Y}{horrendouS}EASON}
26 Individual, tense about season's first outbreak (5) ONSET {ON{Season}E}{T}
27 Unintentional errors by doctor ultimately worsened fissure in pal (8,5) FREUDIAN SLIPS {worseneD FISSURE IN PAL}*

DOWN
2 Row about retreat getting poor rating, perhaps (3-4) ONE-STAR {O{NEST}AR}
3 One's old chum struggling without money is not educated (10) UNSCHOOLED {ONE'S OLD CHUm}*
4 Woody plant or bush perhaps? About right (5) SHRUB {BUSH}* around {R}
5 Asian lad wandering around posh Spanish region (9) ANDALUSIA {ASIAN LAD}* around {U}

6 Lady getting excellent thong (4) LACE {L}{ACE}
7 See 11 Across
8 Intoxicated prince irritated soprano (4-7) HIGH-PITCHED {HIGH}{P}{ITCHED}

10 Spy rebellious teenagers consuming cocaine near bar (6,5) SECRET AGENT {TEENAGERS}* around {C} then {T}
13 One supporting key player tottering in a spot near restroom in retreat (5,5) PIANO STOOL {IN A SPOT}*{LOO<}

15 Accepted suggestion to have new wine and Italian appetisers (9) ANTIPASTI  {A}{TIP} about {N} then{ASTI}

18 Start to make film about a city in Iran (7) MALAYER {Make}{LAYER} about {A}
20 Tree in ordinary park outside ancient city (7) SOURSOP {SO-SO}{P} around {UR}

23 Soviet leader accepted by revolutionary men in election (5) LENIN [T<]

24 Live with a posh boyfriend  (4) BEAU {BE}{A}{U}

REFERENCE LIST

Good=G, Hot=H, Fifty=L, Detective Inspector=DI, Caught=C, Hard=H, Oriental=Eastern=E, Politician=MP, Excellent=AI, Associate=A, Line=L, Power=P, Energy=E, Director=D, Year=Y, Tense=T, Money=M, Right=R, Posh=U, Lady=L, Prince=P, Cocaine=C, Bar=T, Accepted=A, New=N, Park=P, Ancient City=Ur.

No 14675, Friday 26 Dec 2025, Crescent

RULES FOR POSTING COMMENTS FOR FRIDAY ONLY

All those who are not regular commenters but who are rookie commenters or silent followers of the blog are requested to post answers with annotations in the comments section. In your own interest please avoid looking up the answers from the interactive version. Don't hesitate to post your annotations, in case you make a mistake in the annotation someone will correct it with the right annotation.

PLEASE NOTE, SOLUTIONS WITHOUT ATTEMPTING THE ANNOTATIONS WILL BE DELETED

Each commenter is requested to post only 5 answers thereby giving others also a chance to participate. Please provide all your answers in one comment.

Regular solvers/Veterans can post 1 answer each, but after 11 AM only.

Thanks for the response, here's the regular blog.

ACROSS

1   Sacking friend, difficulty arises (6) BURLAP {PAL}{RUB}<=

5   Piece of sausage in rolled wraps, baloney? (4) TOSH {H{Sa...e}OT<=}

7   Duck is tipped by game bird (6) OSPREY {O'S}{PREY}

9   Receivers have one each on one end of receiver to rest on the phone (8) EARPIECE [CD] (Correction {EA}{Re...r}{(~peace)PIECE} - Semi&lit}

11 Nobles taken in by spoof with dim, deceptively sage utterances (6,2,6) PEARLS OF WISDOM {EARLS} in {SPOOF+W+DIM}*

12 Let's focus on card played, the diamond nine (5,2,8) CURSE OF SCOTLAND*

14 About time to follow beach crowds with right article at home - bucket? (4,4,3,4) RAIN CATS AND DOGS {CA}{T}{SAND{DOG}S}<=>{R}{A}{IN}

17 Uncomplicated version of India limits panic abroad (14) SIMPLIFICATION {OF+I+LIMITS+PANIC}*

19 Irritating counter, say not available on call (8) ANGERING {EG}{NA}<={RING}

20 Weak insect folds in one millisecond (6) FLIMSY {FL{1}{MS}Y}

21 King inspired by silly questions (4) ASKS {AS{K}S}

22 One piping hot spilt by assistant following final in play (6) YELPER {hELPER}<=>{plaY}

DOWN

2   Rackets favouring a Republican in America (7) UPROARS {U{PRO}{A}{R}S}

3   Aluminium seen later in brass perhaps? True (5) LOYAL (-al)LOY(+al)AL

4   Busy, sly gossip preens attractively (15) PREPOSSESSINGLY*

5   Challenge hospital leads to fight onset of disease in urban area (9) THROWDOWN {H}{ROW}{Di...e} in {TOWN}

6   Scrap metal from disc is selectively sampled (7) SCISSEL [T]

8   Drink before turning up to share matter in gathering (11) SUPPURATION {SUP}{UP<=}{RATION}

10 Representatives for overseas commerce start war with Government consent (5,6) CROWN AGENTS {WAR+G+CONSENT}

13 Names one probes after operation are those not transparent? (9) OPACITIES {CIT{1}ES}<=>{OP}{A}

15 Retracted nail heads by means of special claws (7) NIPPERS {PIN<=}{PER}{S}

16 Divine execution independent boards judge (7) DEICIDE {DE{I}CIDE}

18 Just out of line, foul (5) AWFUL lAWFUL

Reference List

With = W, About = CA, Time = T, Right = R, At home = IN, India = I, King = K, Hot = H, Republican = R, Hospital = H, Drink = SUP, Government = G, Operation = OP, Are = A, Special = S, Line = L

No 14674, Thursday 25 Dec 2025, KrisKross

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Artwork by Prasanna

Rangoli by Gowri

Solution to 13A has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered by a non-regular/novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

Open for anyone to answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Allow champion to drink cold port (6) ACCEPT {AC{C}E}{PT}

4   Prayer that is chanted in drama's beginning and ending recurrently (5,3) AGNUS DEI {IE}{Dra{SUNG}mA}<=

10 Road is bad - lover happily carries you at last (9) BOULEVARD {BAD+LOVER}* over {yoU}

11 Point in both directions (5) LEVEL <=>

12 Gentleman rejected fish croquette (7) RISSOLE {SIR<=}{SOLE}

13 Dropping resistance and current certainly changes time between stimulus and response (7) L?T?N?Y (Addendum LATENCY CErTAiNLY* - See comments)

14 Passage setter will shortly read aloud (5) AISLE {~i'll)

15 Close to D-day, heart is shaking in panic (8) HYSTERIA {d.aY+HEART+IS}*

18 Saint and Emperor hiding together (2,6) IN TANDEM [T]

20 Cycle catches one moving slowly (5) SNAIL (+s)SNAIL(-s)

23 Clue's oddly hard - "Elevated rocks" (7) LURCHES {CLUES+HaRd}*

25 Principal left student in tears sadly (7) STELLAR {L}{L} in TEARS}*

26 Indian state leader leaves for time in prison (5) TIHAR (-b+t)TIHAR

27 Orphan child dirtying clothes and hiding face (9) FOUNDLING {FOU{aND}LING}

28 Kids essentially engrossed in "Sholay", relaxing in free time (8) HOLIDAYS {kIDs} in }SHOLAY}*

29 Check using a couple of rooks after removing bishop - excellent! (6) ARREST {A}{RR}{bEST}

DOWN

1   Living in trees, boa snakes choking raccoon's head - true! (8) ARBOREAL {A{Ra...s}BO*}{REAL}

2   After college, feels bad about one's pleasure trips (7) CRUISES {C}{RU{1'S}ES}

3   "Mobile phone with reduced list of options?" - one wonders (9) PHENOMENA {PHONE}*{MENu}{A}

5   Expression of surprise as new gym doubles loss (3,5,2,4) GOD BLESS MY SOUL*

6   Dark section without trace of light (5) UNLIT {UN{Li..t}IT}

7   Italian on vacation, about to go through Michelangelo's unfinished masterpiece - he was a genius (2,5) DA VINCI {It...aN}{C} in {DAVId}

8   Fills batting positions (6) INLAYS {IN}{LAYS}

9   What a bad vacuum cleaner might do? Work energetically! (4,3,4,3) MAKE THE DUST FLY [C&DD]

16 Cockney most comfortable with nurse (4-5) EAST-ENDER {EASe}{TENDER}

17 Get down holding hands, okay? (3,5) ALL RIGHT {AL{L}{R}IGHT}

19 Coppers sped back capturing loch's last aquatic mammal (7) NARWHAL {LAW}{RAN}<= over {locH}

21 Unsurpassed, amazing Tamil language initially ahead of English (3-4) ALL-TIME {TAMIL+La...e}*{E}

22 Seize eggs (6) CLUTCH [DD]

24 Some adore hymns about Biblical king (5) HEROD [T<=]

Reference List

Cold = C, Port = PT, Resistance = R, Current = I, Left = L, Student = L, Time = T, Rook = R, Bishop = B, College = C, About = C, Batting = IN, Hands = L,R, English = E

No 14673, Wednesday 24 Dec 2025, Incognito

Solution to 25D A has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered by a non-regular/novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

Open for anyone to answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   It can prevent you from firing a scatty chef at sea (6,5) SAFETY CATCH*

9 & 12 What Adam and Eve do to kick up a fuss? (5,4) RAISE CAIN [DD]

10 People getting net profits? (9) FISHERMEN [CD]

11 Where one may see see-saw and slide? (10) PLAYGROUND [CD]

12 See 9

13 Royal Academician with sports equipment in city (5) RABAT {RA}{BAT}

15 I defame insular person (8) ISLANDER {I}{SLANDER}

17 Wrongly fire European after 10 in largest Canary Island (8) TENERIFE {FIRE+E}*<=>{TEN}

19 Daily exercise in ancient kingdom (5) LYDIA*

22 See a fellow producing a chunk of bread (4) LOAF {LO}{A}{F}

23 Damaged by floating seaplane (6,4) FLYING BOAT*

26 Popping the question, "In favour of sitting for a portrait?" (9) PROPOSING {PRO}{POSING}

27 One who might be happy to find oneself in a cast (5) ACTOR [CD]

28 Female staring excitedly after commencement of night shows Venus, perhaps (7,4) EVENING STAR {EVE} and {STARING}<=>{Ni..t}

DOWN

1   Star from small picture in South Africa (5) SPICA {S{PIC}A}

2   Cargo ship's fighter is bewildered in front of queen (9) FREIGHTER {FIGHTER}*{ER}

3   Often confused about molar latent heat to produce PTFE (6) TEFLON {TEF{L}ON*}

4   Vice in California at large gambling venues (7) CASINOS {SIN} in {CA}{OS}

5   Those people from Perth emporium (4) THEM [T]

6   What the clumsy butcher sometimes was? (3-6) HAM-HANDED [CD]

7   Cloth dealer's daughter runs around simian (6) DRAPER {D}{R}{APE}{R}

8   China nervous? To some extent, that's more silly (6) INANER [T]

14 A new girl appears in torn robe in city (9) BANGALORE {A}{N}{GAL} in {ROBE}*

16 Loyalist soldier following legal arrangement at 1 (9) ALLEGIANT {ANT}<=>{LEGAL}*{1}

17 Erroneously list up flowers (6) TULIPS*

18 Film director dropped in Italy in the beginning (7) FELLINI {FELL}{IN}{It..y}

20 Dress a couple of models with anger (6) ATTIRE {A}{TT}{IRE}

21 Formerly independent zitherist initially gets live performance. Turns out to be a damp squib (6) FIZGIG {Fo...y}{In...t}{Zi...t}{GIG}

24 Animal from Rotterdam (5) OTTER [HIPS]

25 Spy landing place (4) ?O?E (Addendum - MOLE [DD] - See comments)

Reference List

Royal Academician = RA, European = E, Fellow = F, Queen = ER, Large = OS, Daughter = D, Run = R, New = N, Model = T

No 14672, Tuesday 23 Dec 2025, Incognito

Solution to 12A has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered by a non-regular/novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

Open for anyone to answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

8   Travel permit is possessed by Virginia (4) VISA {V{IS}A} 

9   Boy with disability of leg produced airship (5) BLIMP {B}{LIMP}

10 Club held by senorita on return (4) IRON [T<=]

11 Church primate and student in small place of prayer (6) CHAPEL {CH}{APE}{L}

12 Taking care of food fish (8) T?C?L?N?  (Addendum - TACKLING {TACK}{LING} - See comments)

13 Start paying former European currency for stamp on mail (8) POSTMARK {Pa...g}{OST}{MARK}

15 Optical illusion arising from processing image around end of summer (6) MIRAGE {MI{s...eR}AGE*}

17 Sheds a son let by mistake (4-3) LEAN-TOS*

19 Liar not confused... is being prosecuted (2,5) ON TRIAL*

22 Problems from sons and daughters, for example (6) ISSUES [DD]

24 What a darner can do to improve relationships? (4,4) MEND TIES [DD]

26 Criminal lawman and magician (8) CONJUROR {CON}{JUROR}

28 Saint surrounded by snakes brags (6) BOASTS {BOA{ST}S}

30 Clues "Bonus payments" (4) TIPS [DD]

31 In absence of haste, sneak thief produces weapon (5) KNIFE {sNeaK+thIEF}*

32 Sailors and co-stars giving up cabbage (4) TARS cosTARS

DOWN

1   Desire wife's hot (4) WISH {W}{IS}{H}

2   President's following god and small Russian monk (8) RASPUTIN {PUTIN}<=>{RA}{S}

3   Lincoln takes some liability for flowering plant (6) ABELIA {ABE}{LIAb...y}

4   See 16 Down 

5   Astronaut's name is wrongly written... throw caps first (8) SPACEMAN {NAME}*<=>{CAPS}*

6   German leader may be lithe, right? (6) HITLER {LITHE+R}*

7   Girl with personal dress (4) GOWN {G}{OWN}

14 Follows orders from old Ottoman governor and head of state (5) OBEYS {O}{BEY}{St..e}

16 & 4 Serious error... like burying someone alive! (5,7) GRAVE MISTAKE [DD]

18 What the batsman was when he refused to bat? (2,6) ON STRIKE [DD] 

20 Takes back on pieces of land (8) RETRACTS {RE}{TRACTS}

21 Implicate male in boiler explosion (7) EMBROIL {E{M}BROIL*}

23 United Nations only? Not fair! (6) UNJUST {UN}{JUST}

25 Caught retired dean hugging a couple of boys (6) NABBED {DE{BB}AN<=}

27 Romanov ideally shelters poet (4) OVID [T]

29 Biting pastry (4) TART [DD]

Reference List

Boy = B, Church = CH, Student = L, Saint = ST, Cabbage = COS, Wife = W, Hot = H, Small = S, Right = R, Girl = G, Old = O, On = RE, Male = M, Boy = B

No 14671, Monday 22 Dec 2025, Incognito

Solution to 10A has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered by a non-regular/novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

Open for anyone to answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

7   Cry at sea (4) AHOY [CD]

8   Explain, "It's intricate" (9) ELABORATE [DD]

10 Foreigners having right in Assam (6) ?L?E?S (Addendum - ALIENS {A{LIEN}S} - See comments)

11 New iPod lost in MIT centre (8) MIDPOINT {MI{N+IPOD}*T}

12 Go back and sketch (8) WITHDRAW {WITH}{DRAW}

14 Reveal evil changes by United Nations (6) UNVEIL {EVIL}*<=>{UN}

16 Poster about meandering river came (7) ARRIVED {A{RIVER}*D}

18 Insects behind tea-cup (7) CHALICE {LICE}<=>{CHA}

21 Saint, with tears, removes clothes (6) STRIPS {ST}{RIPS}

23 Filming a sort of star (8) SHOOTING [DD]

25 Mother takes vehicle on island to get some pasta (8) MACARONI {MA}{CAR}{ON}{I}

27 Small stones starting to litter behind burial site (6) GRAVEL {Li...r}<=>{GRAVE}

29 Clearly inform: "Place" with this type of clue (3,6) PUT ACROSS {PUT}{ACROSS}

30 Suspend in Changanassery (4) HANG [T] What a coincidence. I am blogging on the train and it is just crossing Changanaserry

DOWN 

1   Colder hill has rice transplanted around it (8) CHILLIER {HILL} in {RICE}*

2   Park in London for literary doctor (4) HYDE [DD]

3   I'm leaving Emirates to make promotional trailer (6) TEASER EmiRATES*

4   Why moa dances on small ricks of dried grass? (7) HAYMOWS {WHY+MOA}*{S}

5   Abe leaving shoulder bag when travelling for migration with motive of mining precious metal (4,4) GOLD RUSH {SHOULDeR+baG}*

6   Mexican food available in Delta, Colorado (4) TACO [T]

9   What nine playing around university experienced? (5) ENNUI {ENN{U}I*}

13 Model leaving Tahiti... making for Caribbean country (5) HAITI tAHITI*

15 Virginia permitted manservant (5) VALET {VA}{LET}

17 Displace cones at northern church lodge (8) ENSCONCE {CONES}*{N}{CE}

19 Pertains to business firms (8) CONCERNS [DD]

20 Actor Justin overacting partially (7) USTINOV [T]

22 Vagrant's tense on sloping road (5) TRAMP {T}{RAMP}

24 Endlessly more gas producing intense pleasure? (6) ORGASM {MORe+GAS}*

26 Wager in Canterbury (4) ANTE [T]

28 To some extent, brash yachter is pale (4) ASHY [T]

Reference List

Saint = ST, Small = S, University = U, Model = T, Northern = N, Church = CE,  Tense = T

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 35, Sunday 21 Dec 2025, Incognito

ACROSS

8   Elevated part of Philly (4) HILL [T]

9   Cold rodent starting to explore box (5) CRATE {C}{RAT}{Ex...e}

10 City in almanac reference (4) ACRE [T]

11 A public representative follows Supreme Court instruction initially to produce seafood preparation (6) SCAMPI {A}{MP}<=> {SC} a {In...n}

12 Bait chum prepared can be somewhat excessive (1,3,4) A BIT MUCH*

13 Odd to include part of lever and choke (8) STRANGLE {STRANG{Le..r}E}

15 Very good employee in the bottling department (6) CORKER [DD}

17 Old question for naturist (7) EXPOSER {EX}{POSER}

19 Drink with actor's tutor (7) TEACHER {TEA}{CHER}

22 Fly flying tests at beginning of examination (6) TSETSE {TESTS*}{Ex...n}

24 Essentially firm attire may irk (8) IRRITATE {fIRm}{ATTIRE*}

26 Rat spreading ale around salver (8) BETRAYER {BE{TRAY}ER}

28 Doves flying around setter in reels (6) VIDEOS {V{I}DEOS*}

30 Therefore, District Attorney gets a drink (4) SODA {SO}{DA}

31 Capital captured by Sam Manekshaw? (5) AMMAN [T]

32 Raise from 51 feet (4) LIFT {LI}{FT}

DOWN

1   Metal from Zulu incorporated (4) ZINC {Z}{INC}

2   Graphite sphere placed behind fruit container (8) PLUMBAGO {O}<=>{PLUM}{BAG}

3   Pretending giant is dancing around college (6) ACTING {A{C}TING*}

4   Bear and cat dance in show (7) CABARET {BEAR+CAT}*

5   Medico is confused about pedestrian (8) MEDIOCRE {MEDICO*}{RE}

6   Ruler's Maruti is driven around (6) TAIMUR*

7   Reptile after losing considerable length from its full form when Odile leaves (4) CROC CROCodile

14 Model lines on graph depicts government revenue (5) TAXES {T}{AXES}

16 Put effort and remove bolt when redesigning letter box (5) EXERT {lETtER+boX}*

18 Usual sort of light appearing in a dye being spread (8) EVERYDAY {VERY} in {A+DYE}*

20 Excitedly it scaled forts (8) CITADELS*

21 Perhaps, television set and radio tuned by a mother (7) DIORAMA {RADIO*}{MA}

23 Stitching material used in cloth ready (6) THREAD [T]

25 Vanara irritated Lankan king (6) RAVANA*

27 Cupid crushed ores (4) EROS*

29 Popular aquarium fish having goldfish head is with European (4) ORFE {OR}{Fish}{E}

Reference List

Cold = C, Public representative = MP, Old = EX, 51 = LI, Zulu = Z, College = C, About = RE, Model = T, Gold = OR