No 14594, Saturday 20 September 2025, Vidwan

 ACROSS
1 Most passionate young man, leading India to the place redefining ancient Indian history (7) KEELADI {KEEn}{LAD}{I}

5 One working in frenzy during Sangam times? (4,3) IRON AGE {I}{R{ON}AGE}
9 Choices of love potions, unleashing love! (7) OPTIONS {O}{PoTIONS}
10 Some blunt, ruthless tale (7) UNTRUTH [T]
11 Leaving France, beautiful bride has grand agreement for free travel between two countries (3,6) AIR BRIDGE {fAIR}{BRID{G}E}
12 Language crossing borders of China, reaching Delhi borders (5) HINDI {cHINa}{DelhI}
13 Candy dames stop traffic for school kids (8,6) LOLLIPOP LADIES {LOLLIPOP}{LADIES}

16 Teaching expert actualised into comic! (14) EDUCATIONALIST*
21 Evaluation of cost sans Public Relations glaze (5) ICING {prICING}
22 British dope at spooky, unopened restaurant (9) BRASSERIE {BR}{ASS}{eERIE}

24 Art period during daytime can be enervating (7) EVENING {ART+EVENING}*=ENERVATING [CA]
25 Tumultuous flow of pain runs for months (7) TORRENT {TOR(+R-m)ENT}
26 Happiest subject sadly for physiotherapist! (7) HISTORY {HISTORY+HAPPIEST}*=PHYSIOTHERAPIST [CA]
27 Correct work procedure heralded by Sappers (7) REWRITE {W}{RITE}<=>{RE}

DOWN
1 Mostly handle work permit, leaving ordinary work for smart aleck (4-3) KNOW-ALL {KNOb}{W}{ALLow}
2 Part of tenth rally entrance (7) ENTHRAL [T]
3 No resistance! Protection for love affair! (5) AMOUR {ArMOUR}
4 I used it on base thoroughly (6-3) INSIDE-OUT*
5 Get used to hurt after Japan's loss (5) INURE {INjURE}
6 Head actor's amazing eight-faced figure (9) OCTAHEDRA* figure or figures? See comments.

7 E-manual prepared for past female students (7) ALUMNAE*
8 Cultural and moral belief enshrining element of nativism (6) ETHNIC {ETH{Nativism}IC}
14 Setter's tossing coin into boxes! Good! (9) INCOGNITO {G} in {COIN INTO}*

15 Mind John King, a fat peer regularly going missing (4,5) LOOK AFTER {LOO}{K}{A}{FaT pEeR}
17 Democratic contenders, boycotting small time Golf Clubs (7) DRIVERS {D}{stRIVERS}

18 This middle-eastern fellow is real fanatic and independent (7) ISRAELI {IS REAL}*{I}
19 Consume right inside the auditorium (7) THEATRE {TH{EAT}{R}E}
20 Run into most resounding, sophisticated application of science (2-4) HI-TECH {HIT}{ECHo}
22 Spongy love for a floppy (5) BOGGY {B(+O-a)GGY}
23 The fix works for wretches (5) SCREW {SCREW+THE}*=WRETCHES [CA]

REFERENCE LIST

India=I, One=I, Working=On, Love=O, France=F, Grand=G, Public Relations=PR, British=BR, Runs=R, Months=M, Work=W, Sappers=RE, Ordinary=O, Resistance=R, Japan=J, Good=G, King=K, Democratic=D, Small=S, Time=T, Independent=I, Right=R.