No 14395, Thursday 30 Jan 2025, Hypatia

Solution to 27A has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only 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 solve, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Pouch always contained English tea (8) BEVERAGE {B{EVER}AG}{E}

5   Was read by alternately taking tips from Indic language (6) ARABIC {wAs+ReAd+By}{IndiC}

10 Cordial at a fair ground (7) RATAFIA*

11 Country song inspiring universal saint (7) AUSTRIA {A{U}{ST}RIA}

12 Better charger? (5) FINER [DD]

13 Reverend's hair colours clothing accessories (5-4) DRESS-TIES (~tress dyes to dress-ties)

14 States in vehicle's earlier avatars (12) INCARNATIONS {NATIONS}<=>{IN}{CAR}

18 Mahabharata's essence and grand song, ultimately blended with advaita! (8,4) BHAGAVAD GITA {BHA}{G}{sonG+ADVAITA}* Semi&lit

21 Cheap women's shift in fortune (3-6) LOW-BUDGET {LO{W}{BUDGE}T}

23 Feudal lord say, in story (5) LIEGE {LI{EG}E}

24 Boys revolting about John's outrageous behaviour (7) SCANDAL {SDAL<=} over {CAN}

25 Delicate case involving kid (7) FRAGILE {F{RAG}ILE}

26 Sibling holding second place by right (6) SISTER {SI{S}TE}{R}

27 Fortify covered parking at the centre of West towers (8) ?T?E?L?S (Addendum - STEEPLES {STEE{P}L}{wESt} - See comments)

DOWN

1   Parted from fellow wearing hat (6) BEREFT {BERE{F}T}

2   Sign it over boxes put up for election (6) VOTING [T<=]

3   Once more, liberal and free in official polls (9) REFERENDA {RE}{AND+FREE}*

4   Doctor glad to work with nurse again - they take care of their wards (8,6) GUARDIAN ANGELS {GLAD+NURSE+AGAIN}*

6   Moving two steps ahead, leader of bugs takes a break (5) RESTS (p to r)RESTS

7   Modern bistro showcasing old country food (8) BURRITOS {B{UR}RITOS*}

8   Elitist cold bar stocks yoghurt smoothies (8) CLASSIST {C}{LASSIS}{T}

9   Kaif got them in a wild party till wee hours (4,1,5,2,2) MAKE A NIGHT OF IT*

15 Tease a little - it's funny (9) TITILLATE*

16 Honour student lives close to Konark's special monuments (8) OBELISKS {OBE}{L}{IS}{k...rK}{S}

17 Society charter managed, raised and protected hot marine animals (8) NARWHALS {S}{LAW}{RAN}<= over {H}

19 Opposition idle until all lost oddly (6) DENIAL {iDlE+uNtIl+AlL}

20 Prizes Jack's sheep left with lambs, finally (6) JEWELS {J}{EWE}{L}{l..bS}

22 Obtrusive peacekeeper starts to defend Ukraine eagerly (5) UNDUE {UN}{De...d}{Uk...e}{Ea...y}

Reference List

English = E, Universal = S, Saint = ST, Essence = BHA, Grand = G, Women = W, John = CAN, Second = S, Parking = P, Right = R, Fellow = F, Once more = RE, Old country = UR, Cold = C, Bar = T, Honour = OBE, Student = L, Special = S, Society = S, Hot = H, Jack = J, Left = L, Peacekeeper = UN