No 14795, Saturday 16 May 2026, Hypatia

 ACROSS
7 Get rid of letters from index term in a textbook (11) EXTERMINATE [T]
8 Lot's spoken for a little limelight (3) LUX {~LUCK'S}
10 Deep // sea fish (4) BASS [DD]
11 Old-time secretary rearranging notes (5) STENO*
12 Local returning before India's spring harvest (4) RABI {BAR<}{I}
13 Entrances to historical and majestic pillars in heritage site (5) HAMPI [Acrostic]

15 Extremely envious incident framing one charged for spying (9) ESPIONAGE {EnviouS}{P{ION}AGE}

16 Checks for auditor's rules (6) REIGNS {~REINS}
18 I hated trips in Middle Eastern airline (6) ETIHAD*

21 What one gets from eating garlic in the bar (3,6) BAD BREATH {THE BAR*} [RA]
23 Husband overwhelmed by duty in mating game? (5) CHESS {C{H}ESS}
25 Starts to question UN about Yemeni port (4) QUAY [Acrostic]
26 Father wearing cool fashion brand (5) PRADA {P{RAD}A}

27 Replace stews without exotic eel or fish (4) CARP {RePlACe*}
28 Fine tips from embroidered Zari in Moroccan hat (3) FEZ {F}{Embroidered}{Zari}

29 Actor's pass with a hint of romance in dreary kiss (7,4) GREGORY PECK {GRE{GO}{Romance}Y}{PECK}

DOWN

1 Old accountant on vacation, initially had food - mine! (8) EXCAVATE {EX}{CA}{Vacation}{ATE}
2 Space between hospital sheets, ultimately in layers (4) HENS {H}{EN}{sheetS}
3 Cheer up in the morning with milk (5) AMUSE {AM}{USE}
4 Topical jingle that's upside down (7) INVERSE {IN}{VERSE}
5 Drug in operation used to release oxygen (8) ATROPINE {OPERATIoN*}

6 Spooner asking tramp to embrace fraud (6) HUMBUG {Spoonerism of BUM HUG}
9 Prohibit course covering resistance wave (8) BRANDISH {B{R}AN}{DISH}
14 Ordinary request put up in outlays for attendants (8) PAGEBOYS {O BEG}< in {PAYS}
17 Cleaners in school with those in tears (8) SWEEPERS {S}{WEEPERS}
19 Conceptual// outline (8) ABSTRACT [DD]
20 Doctor gets to drink poured rum (7) STRANGE {GETS*} around {RAN=poured}
22 Discrimination shown in cinema cum entertainment (6) ACUMEN [T]
24 Say, Omani upset about bit of jeera in millet (5) BAJRA {ARAB<} around {Jeera}

27 Penny cuddled by shy ape (4) COPY {CO{P}Y}

Reference List

India=I, Husband=H, Fine=F, Old=Ex, Accountant=CA (Chartered Accountant), Space=EN, Hospital=H, Morning=AM, Oxygen=O, Resistance=R, Ordinary=O, School=S, Penny=P.

No 14794, Friday 15 May 2026, Hypatia

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

7   Cycles poorly to hospital in rough vehicle (8) RICKSHAW {(-s)ICK(+s)S}{H}{ in {RAW}

9   Active local touring old destinations initially on a ship (6) ABOARD {A}{B{O}AR}{De...s}

10 Personally crafted project, say - a lamp (4) DIYA {DIY}{A}

11 Cancelling out filling NYU rolls (10) NULLIFYING*

12 Intolerant people in scraps about match (6) BIGOTS {BI{GO}TS}

14 Whip gooey substances coating ordinary fruits (8) TANGELOS {TAN}{GEL{O}S}

15 Terribly upsetting hater (13) HEARTBREAKING [HATER}* [RA]

18 The Reverend Harry's condition in decline (8) STAGNATE (~nag state to stagnate)

20 Sanskrit scholar drinking hot water in Delhi (6) PANINI {PAN{IN}I}

21 The only option for an ultimate holiday spot? (4,6) LAST RESORT {LAST}{RESORT}

22 Middle Eastern port finally closed to North America (4) DOHA Tail Acrostic

23 Surprisingly last to answer on the buzzer? (6) HORNET {a...eR+ON+THE}*

24 African from Western part of Ghana is in Utah (8) TUNISIAN [T<=]

DOWN

1   Drop vessel, eating very little (8) DIMINISH {DI{MINI}SH}

2   Fine bits of radish alongside vegetable (4) OKRA {OK}{Ra...h}{Al...e}

3   Conservative husband in old style baggy trousers (6) CHINOS {C}{H}{IN}{O}{S}

4   Spanish ranch house had a nice complex (8) HACIENDA*

5   Say, Hawaiian acting in one's play (10) POLYNESIAN*

6   Supporting books - starting from Othello, immediately (6) PRONTO {PRO}{NT}{Ot...o}

8   Smart new tutor led extremely unusual careers (4-6-3) WELL-TURNED-OUT {NEW+TUTOR+LED+Un...aL}*

13 Oscar called you and me to protect brown animals (10) ORANGUTANS {O}{RANG}{U{TAN}S}

16 Touchy about party reduced to a caricature (8) TRAVESTY {T{RAVe}ESTY}

17 Girl with bhai jaan, not oddly pacifist by principle (8) GANDHIAN {G}{AND}{bHaI+jAaN}

19 Item of crockery the camp lost frequently (6) TEAPOT {ThE+cAmP+lOsT}

20 Part of expat in American film (6) PATINA [T]

22 Whack fly (4) DASH [DD]

Reference List

Hospital = H, Old = O, Ordinary = O, Hot = IN, Conservative = C, Husband = H, Style = S, Books = NT(New Testament), Oscar = O, Girl = G

No 14793, Thursday 14 May 2026, Dr. X

Solution to 8A 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   Bans pesticide, nasty stuff (4,3,6) BITS AND PIECES*

8   Dim lights entirely at first in pub (5) B?E?R (Addendum - BLEAR {B{Li...s}{En...y}AR} - See comments)

9   Dribbling with energy in east European arena (9) SLAVERING {E} in {SLAV}{RING}

11 Be very surprised by awful heat on set around afternoon (3,4,3) EAT ONES HAT {HEAT+ON+SET}* over {A}

12 Beat culprit stealing bags in retreat (4) STIR [T<=]

14 Father is captivated by a master's art movement (7) DADAISM {DAD}{A}{IS}{M}

16 Kitchen item with good sieve (7) GRIDDLE {G}{RIDDLE}

17 American chap is badly affected by a language disorder (7) APHASIC {A+CHAP+IS}*

19 Overwhelmed by drink, member has terribly serious accident (5-2) SMASH-UP {S{M}{HAS*}UP}

21 Trouble after king's murder (4) KILL {ILL}<=>{K}

22 Hero in rave turned intoxicated (10) ADVENTURER*

25 Repaired terminal's railway tracks (9) TRAMLINES*

26 Extremely unruly fool interrupting concert (5) UNITY {Unr{NIT}ulY}

27 Clear-cut kind of film (5-3-5) BLACK-AND-WHITE [DD]

DOWN

2   Thought creatively and edited a novel (7) IDEATED*

3   Most resilient secret agents collaring gang leader in tunnel (10) SPRINGIEST {SP{RING}IES}{Tu...l}

4   Bags filled with special egg holders (5) NESTS {NE{S}TS}

5   Girl transported by plane has broken bones (9) PHALANGES {G} in {PLANE+HAS}*

6   Wife entertained by show about sheep (4) EWES {SE{W}E<=}

7   Victory secured by deceit, rogue's expelled (7) EVICTED {E{V}ICTED*}

8   Stabbed with rake, ripping the stomach (11) BREADBASKET {STABBED+RAKE}*

10 Start to roll joint with member in merry social event held on lawn (6,5) GARDEN PARTY {Roll}{DEN}{PART} in {GAY}

13 One inspired by macho stud's unusual knack of making money (5,5) MIDAS TOUCH {1} in {MACHO+STUD}*

15 Revolutionary plan to catch brilliant Mafia boss in European region (9) MACEDONIA {AIM<=} over {ACE}{DON}

18 Ancient chamber containing large bag (7) HOLDALL {H{OLD}ALL}

20 Musician in Paris, playing in hotel bar (7) HARPIST {H}{PARIS*}{T}

23 Take a sedative to stay relaxed (5) EASED [T]

24 Starts to beat leader of cocaine cartel (4) BLOC Acrostic

Reference List

Energy = E, Afternoon = A, Master = M, Good = G, Member = M, King = K, Special = S, Girl = G, Wife = W, Victory = V, Hotel = H, Bar = T

No 14792, Wednesday 13 May 2026, Dr. X

Solution to 17A 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   American throttled by armed culprit violently - it could result in death penalty (7,6) CAPITAL MURDER {A} in {ARMED+CULPRIT}*

8   Brief, sporadic fights (5) SPARS SPARSe 

9   Falls down badly, loses consciousness primarily after consuming drink (9) COLLAPSES {LOSES+Co...s}* over {LAP}

11 Revives tipsy marines with tea (10) REANIMATES {MARINES+TEA}*

12 Fun in Gujarat's first sanctuary (4) GLEE {Gu...t}{LEE}

14 Support copper beginning to berate beastly youngster (4,3) BEAR CUB {BEAR}{CU}{Be...e}

16 Gasp about diamond's size (7) BREADTH {BREA{D}TH}

17 Finest century, extremely impressive in final (7) L?C?E?T (Addendum - LACIEST  {LA{C}Im...vE}ST} - See comments)

19 Involve head of radiology in treatment of emboli (7) EMBROIL {EMB{Ra...y}OIL*}

21 A little malfunction in opening umbrella (4) GAMP {GA{Ma...n}P}

22 Moving injured girl at once (10) RELOCATING*

25 Remove coach after losing one game (9) TRANSPORT {TRAiN}{SPORT}

26 Lyric poet in neighbourhood is terrific (5) ODIST [T]

27 Forbid foolish attendant picking up dope for transient visitor (4,2,7) BIRD OF PASSAGE {FORBID}*{P{ASS}AGE}

DOWN

2   A Tibetan monk embracing a bishop in American state (7) ALABAMA {A}{L{A}{B}AMA}

3   How patient after surgery might be laughing uncontrollably (2,8) IN STITCHES [DD]

4   Cocaine found in a car travelling to capital city (5) ACCRA {C} in {A+CAR}*

5   Supple batter turned and smashed ball over English umpire's foot (9) MALLEABLE {LAM<=}{L{E}ABL*}{u...rE}

6   Stern parent (4) REAR [DD]

7   Stored fodder in citadel is nearly over (7) ENSILED [T<=]

8   Flasher in spot, without pants or belt (6,5) STROBE LIGHT {S{OR+BELT}*IGHT}

10 Find out and be incensed by drunk husband chasing girl inside (3,3,5) SEE THE LIGHT {SEETHE}{LI{H}<=>{G}T}

13 Like a film with some new rumba moves (10) MEMBRANOUS {SOME+N+RUMBA}*

15 Gambler turned richer (6,3) BETTER OFF {BETTER}{OFF}

18 Musical instruments in church mass on island in Asia (7) CEMBALI {CE}{M}{BALI}

20 Thinking of love and longing (7) OPINING {0}{PINING}

23 Nearly all going topless on island near a port city of ancient Rome (5) OSTIA {mOST}{I}{A}

24 Exercised in shade, Sun's coming up (4) USED [T<=]

Reference List

American = A, Diamond = D, Century = C, Bishop = B, Cocaine = C, English = E, Husband = H, Girl = G, New = N, Church = CE, Mass = M, Island = I

No 14791, Tuesday 12 May 2026, Dr. X

Solution to 20D 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   Most annoyed with extremely obnoxious head of syndicate in summit (8) CROSSEST {CR{Ob...uS}{Sy...e}EST}

5   Gorgeous associate goes bare, intoxicated after drink (6) SUPERB {BaRE}*<=>{SUP}

10 One captivated by young lady working in office (7) MISSION {1} in {MISS}{ON}

11 See 3 Down

12 Left to inquire about patient at centre for eye surgery (5) LASIK {L}{AS{patIent}K}

13 Extremely tense guys entering a club for relaxation (9) ABATEMENT {TensE}{MEN} in {A}{BAT}

14 Stylish fellow on island lied about relationships for affairs (12) INFIDELITIES {IN}{F}{I}{LIED*}{TIES}

18 A few words after fellow involved in deceit gets long term of imprisonment (4,8) LIFE SENTENCE {SENTENCE}<=>{LI{F}E}

21 One evaluating flight, spin etc in cricket match with plan to trap India's opener (4,5) TEST PILOT {TEST}{P{In..a}LOT}

23 Group going topless on excellent Hawaiian island (5) LANAI {cLAN}{A1}

24 Large lizards in Antigua, nasty (7) IGUANAS [T]

25 CIA list about right-leaning characters (7) ITALICS*

26 Rodent in hotel behind park caught by energetic person (6) GOPHER {H}<=>{P} in {GOER}

27 Moves forward, kills extremely peculiar female monsters (8) OGRESSES prOGRESSES

DOWN

1   Observe beautiful European falling for Prince (6) COMPLY COM(-e+p)PLY

2   Torment in sob session (6) OBSESS [T]

3 & 11 What tortoise might do to take a risk (5,4,4,3) STICK ONES NECK OUT [C&DD]

4   Make a big thing of American involved in deplorable liaisons with teens (14) SENSATIONALISE {A} in {LIAISONS+TEENS}*

6   Fun clearly to host a relative (5) UNCLE [T]

7   Old erotic novel is popular (8)  EXOTERIC {EX}{EROTIC}*

8   Venture by American group backing Tesla's trial of a product in final stage (4,4) BETA TEST {BET}{A}{SET<=}{T}

9   Promising band in arena after struggle (10,4) ENGAGEMENT RING {RING}<=>{ENGAGEMENT}

15 Charge stylish college head ensnaring university student (9) INCULPATE {IN}{C}{PATE} over {U}{L}

16 Dope, heroin and gin? Horrible habit (8) CLOTHING {CLOT}{H}{GIN*}

17 Bad defeat for one on cricket field (3,5) OFF STUMP {OFF}{STUMP}

19 Pranks by comic in cast (6) ANTICS*

20 Wife is winner of American beauty contest (6) ?I?S?S (Addendum - MISSUS {MISS US} - See comments)

22 Tubular pasta in stall, extremely nice (5) PENNE {PEN}{NicE}

Reference List

Associate = A, Drink = SUP, Left = L, Stylish = IN, Fellow = F, Island = I, Hotel = H, Park = P, European = E, Prince = P, American = A, Tesla = T, College = C, University = U, Student = L, Heroin = H

No 14790, Monday 11 May 2026, Dr. X

Solution to 22D 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   Displays anxiety about lout at centre following husband (5,3) HANGS OUT {ANGS{lOUt}T}<=>{H}

5   Stumble over daughter's three-legged stand (6) TRIPOD {TRIP}{O}{D}

10 Novel released around end of year (7) UNTRIED {UNT{yeaR}IED}

11 See 3 Down

12 Constant stench in estuary (5) CREEK {C}{REEK}

13 Rugged mesomorph wins easily (5,4) ROMPS HOME*

14 Reading about extremely terse Republican's meddlesomeness (12) INTERFERENCE {IN{TersE}{R}FERENCE}

18 Manage to crush confident barbarian in a game (8,4) TREASURE HUNT {TREA{SURE}{HUN}T}

21 Actress playing flirtatious role is naughty to be sure, close to perfect (9) SOUBRETTE {TO+BE+SURE+p...cT}* 

23 Join teleconference to secure information of military value (5) INTEL [T]

24 One chanting is emotional, having finally lost love (7) INTONER {INN{losT}{0}ER}

25 Attacking cartel after receiving assistance (7) RAIDING {R{AID}ING}

26 Proceed with Mafia boss to have small boy sponsored at baptism (6) GODSON {GO}{D{S}ON}

27 Beginning to train hard by playing tennis, becoming most lean (8) THINNEST {Tr..n}{H}{TENNIS}*

DOWN

1   Squat to acquire primarily attractive hip and buttock (6) HAUNCH {H{At...e}UNCH}

2   Crazy person from northern state (6) NUTTER {N}{UTTER}

3 & 11 What inexperienced boxer might do to show resolve (5,4,4,3) STICK ONES CHIN OUT [C&DD]

4   Government official and corrupt treasurer deny stealing cash at first (14) UNDERSECRETARY {TREASURE+DENY}* over {Cash}

6   Checks earthenware in small boxes (5) REINS [T]

7   Piano for fellow? Great present (8) PROPOUND PRO(+p-f)POUND

8   Bird in spot on exotic tree by lake (8) DOTTEREL {DOT}{TREE}*{L}

9   Dregs of society face home truths unhappily (4,2,3,5) SCUM OF THE EARTH*

15 Princess captivated by tenor in fantastic performance (9) RENDITION {DI} in {TENOR+IN}*

16 Concealing distress, remains inside (8) STASHING {ST{ASH}ING}

17 Removed passage in document (8) DEDUCTED {DE{DUCT}ED}

19 Sick artiste giving up ultimately injurious habit (6) ATTIRE {ARTIsTE}*

20 Pale after onset of bacterial disease (6) BLIGHT {LIGHT}<=>{Ba...l}

22 Musical form with recurring theme playing in star's latest party (5) R?N?O (Addendum - RONDO {ON} in {staR){DO} - See domments)

Reference List

Husband = H, Over = O, Daughter = D, Constant = C, Republican = R, Small = S, Hard = H, Northern = N, Piano = P, Fellow = F, Lake = L, Princess = DI, Playing = ON, Party = DO

Special, Sunday 10 May 2026, K Koteswar Rao

3 answers per commenter annotations compulsory till 6 PM.

Please provide all your answers in one comment.

This Alphabetical Jigsaw puzzle contains 26 entries, each starting with a different letter of the alphabets. Clues are listed in alphabetical order by their answers. 

The clue numbers in the grid is only for reference and is in no way linked to the Alphabets. The answers need to be entered in the appropriate position.

Happy solving!

Screenshot or an image of the Completed grid can be mailed to Koteswar Rao at kkotirao@gmail.com

A Physicist’s major exposition stored in new laptop corrupted (8) 

B Buy and live with made-up story, extremely veritable (7)  

C Priest gave up harsh penance for unknown painter (7) 

D Refuse to get undressed, actress at heart leaves story ultimately (7) 

E Effluents from European states affecting humans essentially (10) 

F Firing bone produces a soluble blood plasma protein (10) 

G Maybe eating only vegetarian mainly? That's what I do in a foreign country! (2,6) 

H Mother wearing exotic Haiti cloaks (7) 

I He destroys portraits of revolutionary colonist with combat arms primarily (10) 

J Revolutionary junta accepts most of draft law, shouting in joy (8) 

K Family controls share with core group in a unit of explosive force (7) 

L Look into cut of meat (4) 

M Delinquent man takes drink with agent (10) 

N Contradict in many ways ignoring heads perhaps (6) 

O Primarily, ossicles take internal care of the ear (4) 

P Journey time spent by setter with love (7) 

Q Favour from queens enjoying sleight! (7) 

R Turn any diary and find the time of special need (5,3)  

S Spooner's standard place of duty in economic downturn (11) 

T Broken etui found around vessel’s structure (6) 

U Green and blue almost mixed in an unbelievable story (5,6) 

V Look in the middle of tic-tac-toe duel for speech sounds (6) 

W Headdresses of women undecorated when cycling (7) 

X Doctors look into this broken crossbeam? (1-3) 

Y Cowardly bombardment without velocity returned by West (6) 

Z Aztec mostly unraveled letter from Greece (4) 

Enjoy.

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 55, Sunday 10 May 2026, Incognito

Three answers per commenter till 4 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)

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

ACROSS

8   Central part in Orinoco region (4) CORE [T]

9   Motorcyclist from Britain captures Eisenhower (5) BIKER {B{IKE}R}

10 Ontario church, at one time (4) ONCE {ON}{CE}

11 Perhaps, bends and moves bowels (6) ELBOWS*

12 Teen vamp walks around side-walk (8) PAVEMENT* 

13 Perhaps, tax payer's a beast of burden, getting notice without extensive search for starters (8) ASSESSEE {ASS}{SEE} over {Ex...e}{Se...h}

15 Animal that may be ailing? (6) NILGAI* 

17 Each cut oozes a plant extract (7) CATECHU* 

19 Set up residence outside a city (7) SEATTLE {SE{A}TTLE}

22 Go and set right (6) REPAIR [DD]

24 Most unapproachable meteor destroyed by saint (8) REMOTEST {METEOR}*{ST}

26 A salutation, in absence of model, conveying assent (8) AGREEING {A}{GREEtING}

28 No aide goes around American lake (6) ONEIDA* 

30 Attempt consuming egg in city (4) TROY {TR{O}Y}

31 Magical creature that is following general (5) GENIE {IE}<=>{GEN}

32 At all times, woman gets first right (4) EVER {EVE}{Ri..t}

DOWN

1   Bishop getting bird's container (4) BOWL {B}{OWL}

2   No seeker may produce paraffin (8) KEROSENE* 

3   Sailor employs curses (6) ABUSES {AB}{USES}

4   Small processed fish for captain (7) SKIPPER {S}{KIPPER}

5   Junior royal going around old Viscount's territory (8) PROVINCE {PR{O}{V}INCE}

6   Male in capital near port is a famous Field Marshal (6) ROMMEL {RO{M}ME}{L}

7   Read, "Dolt left Scotland" (4) SCAN SCotlANd*

14 Minced steak and fish (5) SKATE* 

16 A salt creates aid for navigation (5) ATLAS* 

18 That lady's ornaments? Maybe red, perhaps... (8) HERRINGS {HER}{RINGS}

20 Anchored decaying red teeth (8) TETHERED* 

21 Doctor composed a song for legendary creatures (7)  DRAGONS {DR}{A+SONG}*

23 In a seaman's lingo, word conveying assent twice to get an animal (3-3) AYE-AYE {AYE}{AYE}

25 Tied low, a colour from the traffic signal (6) MOORED {MOO}{RED}

27 Dress made from some sugar beet (4) GARB [T]

29 Attracted actress Barrymore (4) DREW [DD]

Reference List

Britain = BR, Eisenhower = IKE, Church = CE, Saint = ST, Model = T, Bishop = B, Sailor = AB, Small = S, Old = O, Viscount = V, Male = M, Port = L(Left), Low = MOO

No 14789, Saturday 09 May 2026, Afterdark

 ACROSS
1 Bells designed primarily, saved for another bicycle part (6) PEDALS {PE{Designed}ALS}

4 Recorded without Prince hit (6) TAPPED {TAP{P}ED}
9 Virtuoso illegally confined in country (4) SOIL [T]
10 Fetching club's client log for analysis (10) COLLECTING {C CLIENT LOG}*
11 Relative was in American-Indian company first (6) COUSIN {US}{IN}<=>{CO}
12 In conclusion, square was covered (8) ENCLOSED {EN{CLOSE}D}
13 Dynamic work unit led by English nationalist; foreigner in charge (9) ENERGETIC {ERG}<=>{E}{N}+{ET}{IC}
15 Members of NSE provide logic (5) SENSE {Letter Bank  NSE*}
16 Auditor's representative joins school groups (5) CAMPS {CA}{MP}{S}
18 A top mole (English) infiltrates UK party by pretext ultimately to gain understanding (9) AGREEMENT {A}{GREE{Mole}{E}N}{pretexT}
22 Penny or Romeo's free altogether, essentially to make food (8) PORRIDGE {P}{O}{R}{RID}{altoGEther} OR=O?

23 Savages get direction to stay inside vacant bases (6) BEASTS {EAST} in {BaseS}
25 Arrival at old city begins with exciting exploits (10) ADVENTURES {ADVENT}{UR}{Exciting}{S} S from?
26 Information on female's operation (4) FACT {F}{ACT}
27 Want to become father after decent earnings initially (6) DESIRE {SIRE}<=>{Decent}{Earnings}
28 Rode for a period of time (day) (6) CYCLED {CYCLE}{D}

DOWN
1 Say, she could be poor nun (7) PRONOUN*
2 Party line at house is for puppets, perhaps (5) DOLLS {DO}{L}{LS}

3 In speech, misrepresent meaning to get permit (7) LICENCE {~ LIE SENSE}
5 An inside information on vacating city office (6) AGENCY {A}{GEN}{CitY}
6 Favourite job! Essentially dump fuel (9) PETROLEUM {PET}{ROLE}{dUMp} 
7 Dutch champions not beginning meals (7) DINNERS {D}{wINNERS}
8 Liberal or hater? (8,5) BLEEDING HEART {HATER*} [RA]
14 Journalists having endless red wine, refresh regularly (9) REPORTERS {REd}{PORT}{rEfReSh}
17 Shunned the Dove ad I shot (7) AVOIDED*
19 English doctor meets idiot at entrance of Yemen consulate (7) EMBASSY {E}{MB}{ASS}{Yemen}
20 Seen as warm (7) NOTICED {NOT ICED}
21 Somewhat aggrieved, I tormented boss of 14 (6) EDITOR [T]
24 Legal to decapitate, but horrific (5) AWFUL {lAWFUL}

REFERENCE LIST

Prince=P, Clubs=C, American=US, Indian=IN, English=E, National=N, Foreigner=ET (Extra-Terrestrial), In Charge=IC, Auditor=CA (Chartered Accountant), Penny=P, Romeo=R, Old city=Ur, Female=F, Day=D, Line=L, House= LS (Lok Sabha), Dutch=D, Doctor=MB.  

No 14788, Friday 08 May 2026, Afterdark

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   Remove new individual entering party (6) BANISH {BA{N}{I}SH}

5   Before church work, Louisiana doctor gets a small cut of meat (4,4) LAMB CHOP {CH}{OP}<=>{LA}{MB}

9   In all likelihood, expert will get bowled cleverly (8) PROBABLY {PRO}{B}{ABLY}

10 Uncover study collecting funds frequently by extortion primarily (6) DENUDE {DEN}{fUnDs}{Ex...n}

11 Fine clothing for lawyer who's given to looting (10) PREDACIOUS {PRE{DA}CIOUS}

12 One's getting married at morning with religious leader (4) IMAM {1}{M}{AM}

13 Case for reconstructing casino after one crack in the front (8) OCCASION {CASINO}*<=>{One}{Cr..k}

16 Residents of Borneo condemn a Tory, perhaps (6) NEOCON [T]

17 Greek essentially follows specialist in main course (6) ENTREE {gREEk}<=>{ENT}

19 Dangerous tide came to devastate (8) DECIMATE* 

21 Son to sleep at break (4) SNAP {S}{NAP}

22 Innocent publican set free by rifleman essentially (10) INCULPABLE {PUBLICAN}{r.fLEm.n}

25 Claire cycled back to get pastry (6) ECLAIR (+e)ECLAIR(-e)

26 Say Man, settles to cover for a patterned fabric (8) PAISLEYS {PA{ISLE}YS}

27 Mutinous mean lad obstructs rule to become a municipal officer (8) ALDERMAN {MEAN+LAD}* over {R}

28 Insect can have family (6) MAYFLY {MAY}{FLY}

DOWN

2   Say, a drier is lighter, foot's short (5) AIRER fAIRER

3   A doctor's half dead at plant (5) IMBED {1}{MB}{DEad<=} No reversal indicator

4   A composer in Hawaii gets a brazier (7) HIBACHI {1}{BACH} in {HI}

5   State that lady won somehow (3,4) LAY DOWN*

6   Mohammad is only confining to US state capital (7) MADISON [T]

7   Type of writing made of numeric characters (9) CUNEIFORM*

8   Even woman in counter can be an anomaly? (3,3,3) ODD MAN OUT {ODD/even}{MAN/woman}{OUT/in}

14 Can California arrest one falling short? Primarily is it accepted by law? (9) CANONICAL {CAN}{CAL} over {ONe}{Is}

15 A new parolee fled on a flier (9) AEROPLANE {A+N+PAROLEE}* 

18 Witty remark on two animals found behind creek essentially (7) EPIGRAM {PIG}{RAM}<=>{crEek}

19 Zero power used in a sport (7) DUCKPIN {DUCK}{P}{IN}

20 Metal collected outside college/institute/university (7) CALCIUM {CAL{C}{I}{U}M}

23 Townhall eyewitness checked in backstreet (5) ALLEY [T]

24 Behold, setback is constant (5) LOYAL {LO}{LAY<=}

Reference List

New = N, Individual, Church = CH, Work = OP, Bowled = B, Lawyer = DA(District Attorney), Married = M, Specialist = ENT, Son = S, Rule = R, Foot = F, Power = P, College = C, Institute = I, University = U

No 14787, Thursday 07 May 2026, KrisKross

Solution to 6D 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   A little mate who's sick (8) SOMEWHAT*

5   A designated driver is against drink? Makes sense! (4,2) ADDS UP {A}{DD}{SUP}

9   Hot babe swimming across river in casual dress (8) BATHROBE {HOT+ROBE}* over {R}

10 Calendar info encapsulated in classic programming language (6) AGENDA {A{GEN}DA}

12 Clear online estimate - around 10.1 (9) EXONERATE {E}{RATE} over {X}{ONE}

13 Elected American representative ultimately busy (2,3) IN USE {IN}{US}{r...vE}

14 Small wound in rabbit's tail (4) SCUT {S}{CUT}

16 Relative of Greek orphan girl (7) GRANNIE {GR}{ANNIE}

19 &26D Easily understood Byzantine old calendar describing origin of Universe (4,3,5) LOUD AND CLEAR {OLD+CALENDER}* over {Un...e}

21 Song with an Indian beat (4) LAYA {LAY}{A}

24 Losing money, essentially quits drinking? Good call! (5) EVOKE {EV{OK}En}

25 Nosey character starting to peep into couple of clubs in US state (9) PINOCCHIO {Peep}{IN}{O{CC}HIO}

27 Cast out from food store counter (6) EXILED {EX}{DELI<=}

28 Engineer must shortly learn digital symbols (8) NUMERALS {MUSt+LEARN}*

29 Looking wise, I show off Latin lines (6) OWLISH {I+SHOW}* over {L}

30 Possibly in Chalukyas' era, districts in rebellion (1,4,3) I DARE SAY [T<=]

DOWN

1   After retirement, coach prepared a smaller group (6) SUBSET {BUS<=}{SET}

2   Senior woman champion quietly going after money (6) MATRON {pATRON}<=>{M}

3   Poorer son with frayed clothing (5) WORSE {WOR{S}E}

4   One runs to explode medieval weapon (7) ARBLAST {A}{R}{BLAST}

6   Notable sailor about to be involved in home project (9) D?G?I?A?Y (Addendum - DIGNITARY {DI{RATING<=}Y} - See comments)

7   Hampered without gold coin, not acting confident (8) SANGUINE {SANs}{GUINEa}

8   Head of Pathology authorised to collect fresh component of blood (8) PLATELET {Pa...y}{LET} over {LATE}

11 Some YouTuber - Gen-Z composer of music (4) BERG [T]

15 Perpetual tax overwhelms one supporting artist (9) CEASELESS {C{EASEL}ESS}

17 Best friend tense before sharing difficult goal (5,3) ALTER EGO  {T}{ERE} in {GOAL}*

18 Running out in the middle of practice lesson (8) TUTORIAL {T{OUT*}RIAL}

20 Use drug and perform exercise (4) DOPE {DO}{PE}

21 Network director, most lazy (7) LANGUID {LAN}{GUIDe}

22 Transport these medicine bottles to hospital (6) PHIALS {PHIALS+TO}*=HOSPITAL [CA]

23 Nicely warmed egg, filling, good to eat (6) TOASTY {T{O}ASTY}

26 See 19A 

Reference List

Designated driver = DD, River = R, Info = GEN, Online = E, Small = S, Greek = GR, Song = LAY, Clubs = C, Latin = L, Quietly = P, Money = M, Son = S, Runs = R, Home project = DIY, Tense = T, Exercise = PE

No 14786, Wednesday 06 May 2026, Incognito

Solution to 5D 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   Brave warrior and biblical king gives away diamonds (4) HERO HEROd

9   7 confused about eastern ruler (5) AMEER {MARE}* over {E}

10 But a hill may be covering a state (4) UTAH [T]

11 Space agency covering southern university in Caribbean city (6) NASSAU {NAS{S}A}{U}

12 Father stole and got uncontrollable anxiety (8) PANICKED {PA}{NICKED}

13 We swarm excitedly around one in Bikini, for example (8) SWIMWEAR {WE+SWARM}* over {1}

15 Complete International Law (6) INTACT {INT}{ACT}

17 Elongate time (7) STRETCH [DD]

19 & 25 A railway guard, for example - he may spill the beans (7,6) WHISTLE BLOWER [DD]

22 Dr Bali travelling for marriage ritual (6) BRIDAL*

24 Walking around Malta, bun is cut into pieces (8) AMBULANT*

26 Permit giver modifying silencer (8) LICENSER*

28 Father crushed almond (3,3) OLD MAN*

30 Removing asp from topsail is hard work (4) TOIL TOpsaIL

31 Sharp mountain ridge in Delaware territory (5) ARETE [T]

32 Mad sociopath giving up chops? It's a very small quantity... (4) IOTA sOcIopATh*

DOWN

1   Wager on a Greek letter (4) BETA {BET}{A}

2   Criminal near river produces soup (8) CONSOMME {CON}{SOMME}

3   A bund constructed on East River (6) DANUBE {A+BUND}*{E}

4   Penny replaced model in gymnast's dress and spotted animal (7) LEOPARD LEO(+p-t)PARD

5   Threateningly wave seed covering on plate, for example (8) ?R?N?I?H (Addendum - BRANDISH {BRAN}{DISH} - See comments)

6   Sum up: "Animal in city" (6) MUSCAT {SUM<=}{CAT}

7   Animal from Srikakulam area (4) MARE [T]

14 & 21 Say, Gunga Din or Aquarius? (5,7) WATER CARRIER [DD]

16 Two spots, one below the other, in part of intestine (5) COLON (:) Rebus

18 Huge deficit in lignite, for example (8) COLOSSAL {CO{LOSS}AL}

20 Dressing a boy covered in earth (5,3) SALAD OIL {S{A}{LAD}OIL}

21 See 14

23 Lives and starts to dig sumps around source of water (6) DWELLS {Dig}{WELL}{Su..s}

25 See 19 Across 

27 Metal found in Adirondack (4) IRON [HIPS]

29 Bet mountain can be upside down (4) ANTE<=

Reference List

Diamonds = D, Eastern = E, Southern = S, University = U, East = E, Penny = P, Model = T