No 14851, Tuesday 21 Jul 2026, Dr. X

Solution to 7D 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 answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Go back to steal from oriental closet (8) WARDROBE {DRAW<=}{ROB}{E}

5   Problem mastering some subsidiary propositions (6) LEMMAS [T]

10 Shame about member getting absolute power (7) STAMINA {STA{M}IN}{A}

11 Encircle tortuous vein on radius (7) ENVIRON {VEIN+ON+R}*

12 Prince captivated by English show about fencing swords (5) EPEES {E}{P}{SEE<=}

 13 Flying insect going around a set is bothering persistently (7,2) GNAWING AT {GN{A}{WING}AT}

14 Little chance of finishing soon? Sigh! (2,3,2,5)  NO END IN SIGHT {SIGHt} Rebus

18 Pair agree on going astray with many in this? (4,8) OPEN MARRIAGE {PAIR+AGREE+ON+M}* Semi&lit

21 European star exercising after knocking back a drink in old Greek gymnasium (9) PALAESTRA {E}{STAR*}<=>{A LAP<=}

23 Greek character overwhelmed by viral pharyngitis (5) ALPHA [T]

24 Ran haphazardly during commotion in tempest (7) TORNADO {TO{RAN*}DO}

25 Toughening popular band consuming drugs at centre (7) INURING {IN}{drUgs}{RING}

26 Shelves with large borders (6) LEDGES {L}{EDGES}

27 Introduced new resident (8) INSERTED*

DOWN

1   Hunk hosting female freshened up (6) WASHED {WA{SHE}D}

2   Rise to embrace extremely desirable university lecturer (6) READER {REA{De...lE}R}

3   Managed to save one male crossing southern hill in deluge (9) RAINSTORM {RA{1}N}{M} over {S}{TOR}

4   Bohemian writers in club consuming ecstasy and dope are turning into rebels (4,10) BEAT GENERATION {B{E}AT}{GEN}{ARE<=}{INTO*}

6   Concluding stanza of poem by novice about leaving college (5) ENVOI NOVIcE*

7   Tense and quiet, crushed by additional loan (8) ?O?T?A?E (Addendum - MORTGAGE  {T}{GAG} in {MORE} - See comments)

8   Disinfect article with iodine in case (8) SANITATE {S{AN}{I}TATE}

9   Restoration of extremely ramshackle house outside Long Island (14) REHABILITATION {Ra...lE}{HABI{LI}TATION}

15 Distinctive mark of genius, art's remarkable (9) SIGNATURE*

16 Lots with a hip fracture here? (8) HOSPITAL {LOTS+A+HIP}* &lit

17 Sophisticated lady starts to laugh, becoming rather enthralled by marijuana (4-4) WELL-BRED {L}{La..h}{Be...g}{Ra...r} in {WEED}

19 Run special issue (6) SPRINT {S}{PRINT}

20 Bashed group grabbing girl on base (6) BANGED {BAN{G}{E}D}

22 Pick up rumour about onset of epidemic (5) ELATE {TALE<=}{Ep...c}

Reference List

Oriental = E, Member = M, Absolute = A, Radius = R, Prince = P, English = E, Many = M, European = E, Popular = IN, Large = L, Male = M, Southern = S, Hill = TOR, Ecstasy = E, College = C, Tense = T, Lady = L, Special = S, Girl = G, Base = E

No 14850, Monday 20 Jul 2026, Dr. X

Solution to 21D 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 answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   One who observes husband tottering, overwhelmed by drink (8) BEHOLDER {BE{H}{OLD}ER}

5   Prodigy beginning to work on developing drone (6) WONDER {Work}{DRONE}*

10 View small insect going around lake (5) SLANT {S}{L}{ANT}

11 Fixed mindset is leading to diffidence (9) TIMIDNESS*

12 Without any limitations, like loafers? (2,7,8) (Continued in 17 Down) NO STRINGS ATTACHED [C&DD]

13 Wants fine food and more rum (5) ODDER fODDER

14 Fold extremely large transversely ribbed fabric (6) FAILLE {FAIL}{LargE}

15 Satisfy upper-class female with fine diamonds after a little spat (7) SUFFICE {U}{F}{F}{ICE}<=>{Spat}

18 Little people desire to cut cake in retreat (7) TITCHES {ITCH} in {SET<=}

20 Envies model surrounded by men (6) COVETS {COVE{T}S}

22 American guy touring Malta's capital (5) AMMAN {A}{Ma..a}{MAN}

24 Possibly bit nervous going topless? That's obvious (9) OBTRUSIVE {BIT+nERVOUS}*

25 Clumsy and daft, he is beginning to make blunders (3-6) HAM-FISTED {DAFT+HE+IS+Make}*

26 Glide over snow around an Asian city (5) IKSAN {SKI<=}{AN}

27 Model is turning on girl in retreat (6) DESIGN {DE{IS<=}{G}N} 

28 Homeless feline lately wandering around area behind college (5,3) ALLEY CAT {LATELY}* over {A}<=>{C}

DOWN

1   Mounting gossip about immorality in building (6) BASING {GAB<=} over {SIN}

2   Democrat leading in preliminary contest getting early advantage (4,5) HEAD START {D}{STAR} in {HEAT}

3   Creative way of solving problems after a fine leader wins polls at centre (7,8) LATERAL THINKING {LATER}{A}{THIN}{KING} over {poLls}

4   President entering to accept treaty (7) ENTENTE [T]

6   Weird nuts in USA vote for likely winner (4-2,9) ODDS-ON FAVOURITE {ODD}{IN+USA+VOTE+FOR}*

7   Fear's gone after taking therapy essentially (5) DREAD {D{theRapy}EAD}

8   Cool being engaged (8) RESERVED [DD]

9   One overwhelmed by onset of enteric disorder is vomiting (6) EMESIS {1} in {En...c}{MESS}

16 Perhaps, ricin isn't genuine (9) INTRINSIC*

17 See 12 Across

19 Small bananas becoming mottled (6) SPOTTY {S}{POTTY}

20 Scoundrel having sex with English lady in castle (7) CITADEL {C{IT}AD}{E}{L}

21 Plant in compound outside a posh bar (6) ?E?N?T (Addendum - PEANUT {PEAN}{U}{T} - See comments)

23 Mother's taking a little pill for viral infection (5) MUMPS {MUM{Pill}S}

Reference List

Husband = H, Small = S, Lake = L, Fine = F, Upper class = U, Female = F, Diamonds = ICE, Model = T, Girl = G, Area = A, College = C, Democrat = D, Sex = IT, English = E, Lady = L, Posh = U, Bar = T

Special, Sunday 19 Jul 2026, K Koteswar Rao

Three answers per commenter till 6 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)

Grid will be updated with solutions after 8 PM.

Enjoy.

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 65, Sunday 19 Jul 2026, Vidwn

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

7   One who heralds President's entree regularly before start of rally (9) TRUMPETER {TRUMP}{EnTrEe}{Ra..y}

8   Uncertain European Union almost passed over (5) VAGUE {EU}{GAVe}<=

10 Office fire curtailed with water (6) BUREAU {BURn}{EAU}

11 Cold file reduced to a smaller size (8) LIFELESS {FILE*}{LESS}

12 Secret agents triggered raid during flight (6) MIDAIR {MI}{RAID*}

13 Old lover's wrong to threaten for money (6) EXTORT {EX}{TORT}

15 A legal officer, one not working for commission (7) APPOINT {A}{PP}{1+NOT}*

17 Counting system, one included by Chief Minister in contract (7) CECIMAL {DE{C{1}M}AL}

20 A person like Mother Teresa, left for India, with some inclination (6) ASLANT {A}{S(+l)A(-i)NT} As per clue the answer would be {A}{SA(+l-i)LNT}

22 Free commercial break (6) ADRIFT {AD}{RIFT}

25 Shoemakers are cold, greedy consumers, not good (8) COBBLERS {C}{gOBBLERS}

26 Fair type, could be artificial! (6) ITALIC {ITALIC+FAIR}*=ARTIFICIAL [CA]

27 Rupee's in right position of supremacy! (5) FIRST {FI{R'S}T} 

28 Bulimic's worried about slightly ungainly navel (9) UMBILICUS {BULIMICS}* over {Un...y}

DOWN

1   Seller importing river fish (5) TROUT {T{R}OUT}

2   Skin ailment epitomising, eschewing sin originally! (8) IMPETIGO EPITOMIsinG*

3   Crazy dame had us petrified! (6) MEDUSA {MED{US}A*} Semi&lit

4   State venture shipping European coal, after being excavated! (7) DECLARE {D{E}{CoaL}ARE}

5   Flyer's back to rent capsule (6) TABLET {BAT<=}{LET}

6   Extended as pure dot, possibly (9) OUTSPREAD*

9   Weak English fellow at bazaar (6) EFFETE {E}{F}{FETE}

14 A message by police internally, about Pope (9)  APOSTOLIC {A}{POST}{pOLICe}

16 Last girl's dwelling underground (6) NETHER {NET}{HER}

18 Indicriminate firing over bill demeaning one's status (5,3) INFRA DIG {FIRING}* over {AD}

19 Devil's most enthralled by reportedly exceptional mandarin (7) SATSUMA {SAT{(~some)SUM}An} Clue leads to {SATAn} in {(~some)SUM}

21 A masculine President's hunt (6) AMBUSH {A}{M}{BUSH}

23 Mostly growing grape in reduced form (6) RAISIN RAISINg

24 Temper of Shakira's ex! (5) PIQUE [DD]

Reference List

Water = EAU, Old = EX, Left = L, India = I, Commercial = AD, Cold = C, Good = G, Rupee = R, River = R, European = E, English = E, Fellow = F, Bill = AD, Masculine = M

No 14849, Saturday 18 July 2026, Afterdark

 ACROSS
1 Overlooking last XI (6) BESIDE {BE}{SIDE}
4 Actions that harm oneself ends after wife stops working( 3,5) OWN GOALS {GOALS}<=>{O{W}N}
10 Locks up a member and boys outside Rhode Island (9) IMPRISONS {I}{MP}{RI}{SONS}
11 Domain is free essentially, entered URL finally in the morning (5) REALM {fREe}{A{urL}M}
12 Doctor Lily not beginning to sound funny without emotion (5) DRILY {DR}{lILY}
13 Not very cold, excited vacationist expresses fullness (9) SATIATION {vAcTIONIST}*
14 Initially Phil Edmunds mishit; it's more irritating (7) PESKIER {Phil}{Edmunds}{SKIER}
16 Foretold bishop Oscar's daughter; escape first( 4) BODE {B}{O}{D}{Escape}
19 Father entering open house to have fish (4) OPAH {O}{PA}{H}

21 Chap's wearing jumper? No, it's the other way, at deserts (7) MAROONS MA{ROO}N'S
24 Coloured metal, copper with a bit of tungsten in it to add colour (9) TINCTURED {TIN}{C{Tungsten}U}{RED}
25 Chief Officer...(5) MAJOR [DD}
26...to crave for time to get some vacation ultimately (5) YEARN {YEAR}{vacatioN}
27 Approach of nice men is comical, retaining millions with some impunity (9) IMMINENCE {NICE MEN}* around {M}{Impunity}
28 Reorganises structure to identify people who are usually late?! (8) DELAYERS {DE-LAYERS}
29 Medico admitted one sibling for contraction of pupil (6) MIOSIS {M{I}O}{SIS}

DOWN
1Extravagant praises from bud's lip, but essentially spinning (8) BUILDUPS {BUDS LIPS bUt}*
2 Son, in a frenzy opts to buy pastry for the weepiest (8) SOPPIEST {S}+{PIE} in {OPTS}*
3 Glorify editor's comeback providing eulogy at close (5) DEIFY {ED<}{IF}{eulogY}
5 Clothes are left here at Washington quietly, but taken back later (7) WASHTUB {WA}{SH}{BUT<}
6 European medic stocks drug from plant (9) GERMANDER {GERMAN}{D{E}R}

7 Rampart in a war dismantled 50% near the ingress at the borders (6) ABATIS {A}{BATtle}{IngresS}
8 It's sin in Christianity to get spin regularly using money spending energy (6) SIMONY {SpIn}{MONeY}
9 Cat, say Tom ultimately reaches river range (6) MOUSER {toM}{OUSE}{R}
15 Powerlessness of a member leads to 0-10 consequence initially by day's end (9) IMPOTENCY {I}{MP}{O}{TEN}{Consequence}{daY}
17 Stock market index now does jiggery-pokery first to manipulate (3,5) DOW JONES {NOW DOES Jiggery-pokery}*
18 Supplanters at America control royal purse (8) USURPERS {US}{R PURSE}*

20 Husband demolishing front of wall for hound dog (7) HARRIER {H}bARRIER}

21 Communication devices for system on steamships essentially (6) MODEMS {MODE}{steaMShips}
22 Banned on street? Yes, by democrat (6) STAYED {ST}{AYE}{D}
23 Ultimate objective is a new Dell contraption (3-3) END-ALL {A N DELL}*
25 Guy having idli frequently in Indian city (5) MANDI {MAN}{iDlI}

REFERENCE LIST

Wife=W, Very=V, Cold=C, A=1=I, Member=MP, Rhode Island=RI, Morning=AM, Doctor=DR, Bishop=B, Oscar=O, Daughter=D, Father=Pa, Open House=OH, Copper=Cu, Millions=M, Medico =MO (Medical Officer), Son=S, Editor=Ed, Washington=WA, Drug=E (Ecstasy), Energy=E, Range=R, 0=O, Royal=R, Street=ST, New=N.

No 14848, Friday 17 Jul 2026, Afterdark

Artwork by Prasanna

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   Say, Lily's working to acquire new apparatus to disperse crowds (5,6) WATER CANNON {WATER CAN}{ON} over {N}

7   Trap bachelor with girl (3) BAG {BA}{G}

9   Setback after Republican's order had repetitions (5) ROTES {SET<=}<=>{R}{O}

10 Careless guru dead, ingesting some nightshade carelessly (9) UNGUARDED {GURU+DEAD}* over {Ni...e}

11 Brigadier designs a delivery mechanism (3,6) AIR BRIDGE*

12 Tremulous sound from other end of boat on stream (5) TRILL {boaT}{RILL}

13 Viscous black liquid layer over lake at Ajmer outskirts (4,3) COAL TAR {COA{L}T}{AjmeR}

15 Course beginners in Tamil indicate difficulty & ennui (4) TIDE Acrostic

18 Victim, a mother saved by a religious leader (4) IMAM [T]

20 Short lady initially cried on everyone's hate (7) MISCALL {MISs}{Cr..d}{ALL}

23 Central forecast on regulation (5) EDICT prEDICTed

24 Amanda, Laila, Matilda contributing to someone like 18 (5,4) DALAI LAMA [T]

26 Cooked ribs, had half of port in a vessel (9) SHIPBOARD {RIBS+HAD+POrt}*

27 Falls for medico at work, over heels ultimately (5) DROPS {DR}{OP}{h..lS}

28 Carpet is 50% bumpy (3) RUG RUGged

29 One who repeats and reinforces opinions of coach Herb and me in a bad way (4,7) ECHO CHAMBER {COACH{HERB+ME}*

DOWN

1   Victory celebration at area and shortly at both sides of college (3,5) WAR DANCE {WARD}{ANd}{Co...gE}

2   Coaching for test covers university model only (8) TUTORIAL {T{U}{T}{O}RIAL}

3   A vertical pipe at the floor corner is interred in the middle (5) RISER {f..oR}{IS}{intERred}

4   When in Paris, one doctor inserted tip of needle in parts (7) ASUNDER {AS}{UN}{D{n...lE}R}

5   Overlook end of the session, say 7-part lecture ending after 4th (7) NEGLECT {s...oN}{EG}{LECTure}

6   Wave patterns occurring twice a month, when sea in depth almost gets choppy (4,5) NEAP TIDES {SEA+IN+DEPTh}*

7   Friend's girl lied; clipped the wings of a bird (6) BUDGIE {BUD}{G}{lIEd}

8   Nuisance of a lady, fricking heartless badger... (6) GADFLY {LADY+Fr...nG}*

14 ...I met in board programme (9) TIMETABLE {T{I}{MET}ABLE}

16 Auditor and doctor buy a snack underground, perhaps (8) CATACOMB {CA}{TACO}{MB}

17 Charlie prefers regularly procuring Pears soap, say (8) CLEANSER {C}{LEANS}{pEaRs}

19 Say, a holistic therapy's dumb, that nearly is silly (3,4) MUD BATH {DUMB+THAt}*

20 Setter's icon making a comeback primarily composing for a musical (7) MELODIC {ME}{IDOL<=}{Co...g}

21 Incense container at church at all directions but one on the right (6) CENSER {CE}{NSEw}{R}

22 Whacking in disguise (6) HIDING [DD]

25 One's leaving a country to another (5) INDIA INDonesIA

Reference List

New = N, Bachelor = BA, Girl = G, Republican = R, Order = O, Lake = L, Work = OP, University = U, Model = T, Only = O, One in Paris = UN, Charlie = C, Church = CE, Right = R

No 14847, Thursday 16 Jul 2026, Afterdark

Solution to 28A 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 answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

9   Greed? It is not seen in female pilot (7) AVARICE AViAtRICE

10 For the most part, Tata Ace transports vitamin and salt (7) ACETATE {TATa+ACE}*{E}

11 Famous specialist follows eastern time (7) EMINENT {ENT}<=>{E}{MIN}

12 Copper nabs snitch with soldier's attendant (7) CURATOR {CU}{RAT}{OR}

13 Agrees, but vacillates getting vegetable (5,4) SUGAR BEET*

15 Drive to Marrakesh over partly (5) SHOVE [T]

16 Special wine (cold) altered muscle tone (7) SPASTIC {SP}{ASTI}{C}

19 By deceit, cash given to sister's used to frame (7) CHASSIS {CASH*}{SIS}

20 Gain a male animal (5) AMASS {A}{M}{ASS}

21 Gladiator's role in South Africa's discussed centrally (9) SPARTACUS {S{PART}A}{disCUSsed}

25 Explosive to primarily ruin someone like Epstein (7) TORPEDO {TO}{Ruin}{PEDO}

26 At the start, sudden noise baffled son entering a meeting (7) SESSION {Su...n}with {NOISE}*over {S}

28 Nurse corresponding with leading endocrinologist to join (7) E?T?I?E (Addendum - ENTWINE {EN}{TWIN}{En...t} - See comments)

29 Son's team centre joins another team at beach (7) SEASIDE {S}{tEAm}{SIDE}

DOWN

1   Touch actress badly to lose front tooth (6) CARESS ACtRESS*

2   Goods arriving without name (6) LADING LAnDING

3   Limits excess centrally from rodents (4) MICE {liMIts}{exCEss}

4   Spy's article creates rage (6) SEETHE {SEE}{THE}

5   Unruly trio can, at the border, clandestinely get controlled substance (8) NARCOTIC {TRIO+CAN}*{Cl...y}

6   Downer from French media worker (10) DEPRESSANT {DE}{PRESS}{ANT}

7   Careful about one in car, say at America (8) CAUTIOUS {C}{AUT{1}O}{US}

8   Its unique; spy replaces man with lady in difficulty (8) PEERLESS {PEER}{(-m+l)LESS}

14 Cooking device for breads used by South American (10) ROTISSERIE {ROTIS}{S}{ERIE}

16 I ate an egg of a marine creature (3,5) SEA OTTER {SE{A}{O}TTER}

17 Enthusiasm offers one clarity somehow (8) ALACRITY {1+CLARITY}*

18 Client of Atticus, Tom, Eric protected (8) CUSTOMER [T]

22 Leading an animal to the front provides benefit (6) ASSIST {1ST}<=>{ASS}

23 Judge's important to evict gangster (6) CRITIC CRITICal

24 Say, diva spotted in a bus in Germany (6) SINGER [T]

27 Collect sample of son and wife to get blood group (4) SWAB {S}{W}{AB}

Reference List

Vitamin = E, Specialist = ENT, Eastern = E, Snitch = RAT, Soldier = OR, Special =SP, Cold = C, Male = M, Son = S, Nurse = EN(Enrolled Nurse), Name = N, From in French = DE, About = C, Man = M, Lady = L, South = S, Wife = W, Blood Group = AB

No 14846, Wednesday 15 Jul 2026, KrisKross

Solution to 17D 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 answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Suggest plan - "50% to quit for change of government" (6) PUTSCH {PUT}{SCHeme} 

4   Bar or joint mostly housing animals from the east (8) OBSTACLE {EL{CATS}BOw}<=}

10 Boss to lead with articles (3,6) TOP BANANA {TOP B}{AN}{AN}{A} ( Correction - {TO}{PB}{AN}{AN}=A} - See comments)

11 Goodbye to Russia's first language (5) TATAR {TATA}{Ru...a}

12 Thrill from fifteenth US expedition (7) ENTHUSE [T]

13 Rebuffed most of adamant boy's prayers (7) ORISONS {IROn<=}{SONS}

14 Voila! Cricket has turned around (5) CIRCA [T<=]

15 Spreadsheet not set up, somehow given a new form (8) RESHAPED {sPREADSHEet}*

18 Spooner's carried food for grandfather, say (8) FOREBEAR (~bore fare to forebear}

20 Force European to take over (5) BARGE {E}{GRAB}<=

23 Cuts sticks (7) CLEAVES [DD]

25 Caught in difficulty, ring for investigator (7) CORONER {COR{O}NER}

26 Guides leaderless groups (5) RINGS bRINGS

27 River trip enthrals old relative (3,6) RIO GRANDE {RI{O}{GRAN}DE}

28 Each must vault in ancient sacrifice (8) HECATOMB {EACH}*{TOMB}

29 Prohibits Spain's recurring problems (6) ESTOPS {ES}{SPOT<=}

DOWN

1   Cool head when tackling nice problem (8) PATIENCE {PAT{NICE*}E} Semi&lit

2   Bartender feeding drop of port to expert sampler (7) TAPSTER {TA{Port}STER}

3   Ordered catalogue set (9) COAGULATE*

5   Merry Corsican tourist on vacation kidnapped by barbarian - a slippery killer (3,11) BOA CONSTRICTOR {CORSICAN+To...sT}* in {BOOR}}

6   South African boat docked - test it regularly (5) TUTSI {TUb}{TeSt+It}

7   Conductor lost hat in program (7) CATHODE {C{HAT*}ODE}

8   Path of exit for one on ship (6) EGRESS {EG}{RE}{SS}

9   Obey corrupt food marketers pinching recipe (4,6,4) TAKE ORDERS FROM {FOOD+MARKETERS}* over {R}

16 Emir brags about component of perfume (9) AMBERGRIS*

17 Brave fellow like Van Gogh? (8) ?E?R?E?S (Addendum - FEARLESS {F}{EARLESS} - See comments) 

19 Marine in nice coat nicked rum (7)  OCEANIC {NICE+COAt}*

21 Meet heads of rebellious trade union at work (3,4) RUN INTO {Re...s+Tr..e+UNION}*

22 Burn my school bags (6) SCORCH {S{COR}CH}

24 Stop very sceptical question (5) VISIT {V}{IS IT}

Reference List

European = E, Old = O, Spain = ES, For one = EG, On = RE, Ship = SS, Recipe = R, Fellow = F, My = COR, School = SCH, Very = V

No 14845, Tuesday 14 Jul 2026, Incognito

Solution to 26A 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 answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

8   Student consumed after time (4) LATE {L}{ATE}

9   Paste a list of paratroopers who jump together (5) STICK [DD]

10 Chopped a cross on centre of sledge (4) AXED {A}{X}{slEDge}

11 One who might make 8 on ice... (6) SKATER [CD]

12 Spread peat around pet one and get stamina to consume food? (8) APPETITE {AP{PET}{1}TE*}

13 Went with terse doc on tour (8) ESCORTED*

15 In Canberra, tabulating list of mistakes (6) ERRATA [T]

17 Fish with alien and special dogs (7) BASSETS {BASS}{ET}{S}

19 Badly cursed a second-hand automobile (4-3) USED CAR*

22 Small ass starting to ram person puffing on a cigarette (6) SMOKER{S}{MOKE}{Ram}

24 Rebellious boys side goes against orders (8) DISOBEYS* 

26 Salt stored in tree-top? (8) ?I?N?C?E (Addendum - PINNACLE {PIN{NACL}E} - See comments)

28 One prowling in Punalur, Kerala (6) LURKER [T]

30 After leaving tram, matadors return to get aerated water (4) SODA matADOrS<=

31 Prize from conflict in present times (5) AWARD {A{WAR}D}

32 Give out remittance wrongly after exporting nectar (4) EMIT rEMITtance

DOWN

1   Target saint (4) MARK [DD]

2   German elite force going around Greek city ruins (8) DESTROYS {DE}{S{TROY}S}

3   Along with extra sensory perception, Romeo has sex appeal and liveliness (6) ESPRIT {ESP}{R}{IT}

4   Women with headless reptiles? Sorcerors!(7) WIZARDS {W}{lIZARDS}

5   Captain's fish is on board ship (8) SKIPPERS {S{KIPPER}S}

6   Horse's gait in American territory (6) CANTER [T]

7   Temperature in Lakenheath (4) HEAT [HIPS]

14 Mass disruption around front of palace results in seizure (5) SPASM {S{Pa...e}ASM*}

16 Sycophant is confused today (5) TOADY*

18 Taco for unfaithful person (8) TURNCOAT {TACO}* [RA]

20 At sea, Red Beard's prohibited from participation (8) DEBARRED*

21 Now learn about some type of glands (7) ADRENAL {AD}{LEARN*}

23 Leaving Alabama, Alaskan moving and starting to settle in Midwestern state (6) KANSAS {alASKAN}*{Se...e}

25 Silly ass accepts boy's items can be eaten (6) SALADS {SA{LAD}S*}

27 Object of veneration from lido mislaid (4) IDOL*

29 Ruler removing ant from minaret under construction (4) EMIR {MInaREt}*

Reference List

Student = L, Alien = ET, Special = S, Small = S, Present times = AD, German = DE, Elite force = SS, Romeo = R, Sex appeal = IT, Women = W, Ship = SS

No 14844, Monday 13 Jul 2026, Incognito

Solution to 4D 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 answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

8   Repeat, "E for ____" (4) ECHO [DD]

9   Lather bubbling forth (5) FROTH*

10 Pours tea on top of saucer and consumes (4) EATS {TEA*}{Sa...r}

11 Place to keep horses from second list (6) STABLE {S}{TABLE}

12 Owed mint production for unproductive period (8) DOWNTIME*

13 Simmers esculents to some extent and dips (8) IMMERSES [T]

15 Uncannily Easter lily breaks into pieces in absence of salt (6) EERILY {EastER+lILY}

17 Gives air-conditioning cables (7) ACCORDS {AC}{CORDS}

19 Set down reason: "Rib case is broken" (7) ASCRIBE*

22 Peril from violent gander (6) DANGER*

24 Tell, "Rosy damaged vehicles" (8) TROLLEYS*

26 Forged notes with Scotsman and European (8) ESTONIAN {NOTES*}{IAN}

28 Sit back, with a north European beverage (6) TISANE {SIT<=}{A}{N}{E}

30 Challenge from Kakinada region (4) DARE [T]

31 Trendy to be in vessel and sea-craft (5) SHIPS {S{HIP}S}

32 Cupid shreds rose (4) EROS*

DOWN

1   Caledonian manages cost! (4) SCOT*

2   After a second, silly Romeo accepts British hat (8) SOMBRERO {S}{OM{BR}ERO*}

3   In absence of in-charge, officers produce tenders (6) OFFERS OFFicERS

4   Female deity and Greek leader on strange English ship (7) ?O?D?S? (Addendum - GODDESS {Gr..k}{ODD}{E}{SS} - See comments)

5   Thick soups that cowherds produce (8) CHOWDERS*

6   Landlord's communication (6) LETTER [DD]

7   Something to split found in Muscat, Oman (4) ATOM [T]

14 Excitedly came across head of caliphate in holy city (5) MECCA {CAME}* over {Ca...e}

16 Campaign in the foyer (5) LOBBY [DD]

18 Most unclean red tits fly around island (8) DIRTIEST {RED+TITS}* over {I}

20 At end of dinner, she lied cunningly, "Enjoyed" (8) RELISHED {d...eR}{SHE+LIED}*

21 Silent characters going around college, producing means of reproduction (7) STENCIL {STEN{C}IL*}

23 What a crazy lover might do when after girl? (6) GROVEL {LOVER}*<=>{G} &lit

25 Dull-witted subordinate moving around after dropping dinar (6) OBTUSE {SUBOrdinaTE}*

27 Cover for wound from barricades raider leaves in disarray (4) SCAB {BarriCAdeS}*

29 Gas none may produce (4) NEON*

Reference List

Second = S, Scotsman = IAN, North = N, European = E, English = E, Vessel = SS, Ship= SS, British = BR, In-charge = IC, Island = I, College = C

Special, Sunday 12 Jul 2026, US & Canada Cryptic Championship Practice Round, Larry Kline

Three answers per commenter till 6 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)

Grid will be updated with solutions after 8 PM.

Enjoy.

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 64, Sunday 12 Jul 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

1   Reverse vehicle after fire at English sports event (4,4) SACK RACE {CAR<=}{E}<=>{SACK}

5   Being short of money, repaired purdah (4,2) HARD UP*

10 Sign at end of terminus (5) MINUS [HIPS]

11 Thespian reportedly going after maid’s role (9) CHARACTER {(~actor)ACTER}<=>{CHAR}

12 Irks a couple of Poles on yellow ship at for starters (6) ANNOYS {A}{NN}{On}{Ye...w}{Ship}

13 Having enthusiasm, madam catches flying owl to get beetle larva (8) MEALWORM {M{E}ARM} over {OWL*}

15 On return, massage mummy in Myanmar (5) BURMA {RUB<=}{MA}

17 Fuss over sailors and soldiers on top of tank getting decoration (9) ADORNMENT {ADO}{RN}{MEN}Tank}

19 Means of enlightenment on streets? (9) LAMPPOSTS [CD]

20 Frigate leaving refrigerator at sea... That’s a mistake... (5) ERROR {REfrigeRatOR}*

21 Homing pigeons, perhaps, cruise or fly around (8) COURIERS*

23 Finally, map book is with team leader (2,4) AT LAST {ATLAS}{Team}

27 Madly insane to kidnap writer in mountain range (9) APENNINES {INSANE}* over {PEN}

28 Bread maker from Talliparamba, Kerala (5) BAKER [T]

29 Animals consuming some plantains and fruits (6) APPLES {AP{{PLa...s}ES}

30 Heard van destroyed porch (8) VERANDAH*

DOWN

1   Old spelling of capital from misplaced mails (5) SIMLA*

2   Puzzle sister hides in company container (9) CONUNDRUM {CO}{NUN}{DRUM}

3   Romeo is king at end of day... It’s dangerous (5) RISKY {R}{IS}{K}{daY}

4   Prepare gun for shooting bird (4) COCK [DD]

6   Immediately upon looking at a girl, knight gives up lot (2,1,6) AT A GLANCE {AT}{A}{G}{LANCElot}

7   Do as before (5) DITTO [CD]

8   Silly premier goes across alien’s boundary (9) PERIMETER {PERIM{ET}ER*}

9   A place of refuge given by Peter is at hotel near river (4,5) SAFE HOUSE {SAFE}{H}{OUSE}

14 Suspended, including damaged trams, and hindered (9) HAMSTRUNG {H{TRAMS*}UNG}

15 Ski mask produced by a lab rejected.. having cold and hot material! (9) BALACLAVA {A LAB<=}{C}{LAVA}

16 Gadget from Apple includes one crumpled can (9) APPLIANCE {APPL{1}{CAN*}E}

18 “Reserved” sign affixed to appendage (9) EARMARKED {MARKED}<=>{EAR}

22 Fully consume energy in American state (3,2) USE UP {US}{E}{UP}

24 To some extent, Rita blamed drum (5) TABLA [T]

25 Something to carry for an old flame? (5) TORCH [C&DD]

26 Insular land lies in tatters (4) ISLE*

Reference List

English = E, Maid = CHAR, Pole = N, Enthusiasm = E, Madam = MARM, Fuss = ADO, Sailore = RN(Royal Navy), Romeo = R, King = K, Alien = ET, Peter = SAFE, Hotel = H, Cold = C