No 14933, Tuesday 27 Oct 2026, KrisKross

Solution to 3D 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   Assign setter's place at end of table (6) IMPUTE {I'M}{PUT}{t..lE}

4   Venerable members of crusade meet secretly in retreat (8) ESTEEMED [T<=]

10 Healthy boxer is against bananas (9) ALIMENTAL {ALI}{MENTAL}

11 Worm's stroke of luck (5) FLUKE [DD]

12 Crowd laments over losing last of matches and rubber (7) MASSEUR {MASS}{RUEs<=}

13 Team's turn to play in pub and sing drunkenly (7) INNINGS {INN}{SING*}

14 In America, son of immigrants rejected? That's wrong (5) NISEI {IE}{SIN}<=

15 Takes possession of international banks, having power (8) IMPOUNDS {I}{M{P}OUNDS}

18 One Malayali winning preliminary race, cycling all around One Malayali leaving America wins preliminary race, cycling all around(2,3,3) IN THE AIR {1}{NaIR} over {(+t)THEA(-t)} Clue being edited by KrisKross

20 Work in short-sleeved shirt and lightweight hat (5) TOPEE {T{OP}EE}

23 Muscles love running free! (7) ABSOLVE {ABS}{LOVE*} 

25 Cooked nan - neat dish perhaps (7) ANTENNA*

26 Rebellious soldiers welcomed by the old adversary (5) ENEMY {Y{MEN}E}<=

27 Creature often contaminating kitchens, running over appliances, creating havoc primarily (9) COCKROACH Acrostic &lit

28 Beast with tip of ear cut, caught in a net, writhing (8) ANTELOPE {Ear}{LOP} in {A}{NET*}

29 I essentially check and fix - do it right! (6) EDITOR {chEck}{DO+IT}*{R} Semi&lit

DOWN

1   Following onset of insomina, old queen gets tablet (4,4) IPAD MINI {In...a}{PADMINI}

2   Churchmen in US state surrounded by troublemakers (7) PRIESTS {P{RI}ESTS}

3   Cutting piece of cloth, start to wrap present afterwards (9) T?E?E?I?H (Addendum - THEREWITH {TWITcH} over {HERE}) 

5   Egotism of man going through elaborate profile in Outook (4-10) SELF-IMPORTANCE {M} through {PROFILE*} in {STANCE}

6   Delicate fellow bathed in Northbound river (5) ELFIN {NI{F}LE<=}

7   Evil demon controlling ancient city felt sad (7) MOURNED {MO{UR}NED*}

8   Elegant English ship stops, having no water (6) DRESSY {DR{E}{SS}Y}

9   How to create acute pain, worry about something trivial? (5,2,1,6) STORM IN A TEACUP {ACUTE+PAIN}* [RA]

16 Fan turned out to be ignorant (9) UNTUTORED*

17 Tech giant announced "Warning!" symbol (8) METAPHOR {META}{(~fore)PHOR}

19 Developing space agency mostly with American money (7) NASCENT {NASa}{CENT}

21 Aim to cut long ornament (7) PENDANT {P{END}ANT}

22 Beware! Machinery has rotating device (6) CAMERA [T<=]

24 Expression of amusement describing unknown American firm (5) LOYAL {LOL} over {Y}{A}

Reference List

Muscles = ABS, The old = YE, Right = R, Man = M, Fellow = F, Ancient city = UR, English = E, Ship = SS, Unknown = Y, American = A

No 14932, Monday 26 Oct 2026, Incognito

Solution to 12A 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   Meet, by accident, vagrant with piebald horse (Continued in 10 Across) (4,4)  BUMP INTO {BUM}{PINTO}

9   One shaping lawn is a relative by marriage (2-3) IN-LAW {1}{LAWN}*

10 See 8 (4)

11 Excited pooch carrying new garment (6) PONCHO {PO{N}CHO*}

12 Musical composition, that to some extent, is fake (8) S?M?H?N? (Addendum - SYMPHONY SYM{PHONY} - SYM from? See comments)

13 Mark goes around one premier tech institute and produces sword (8) SCIMITAR {SC{1}{MIT}AR}

15 Come out, European, and join (6) EMERGE {E}{MERGE}

17 Movement from trains running on time (7) TRANSIT {TRAINS*}{T}

19 Sinatra danced... He is skilled at his work... (7) ARTISAN*

22 German father's wish (6) DESIRE {DE}{SIRE}

24 Shake... shake own beaky facial feature (4,4) HAWK NOSE*

26 Spring-loaded hatch, perhaps, made from rotor pad (4,4) TRAP DOOR*

28 Well known Hun expelling nob in battalion restructuring (6) ATTILA {bATTALIon}* 

30 Honey... it's expensive! (4) DEAR [DD]

31 Girl with anchor is a spectral creature (5) GHOST {G}{HOST}

32 Robs drinking vessels (4) MUGS [DD]

DOWN

1   Small vehicle from Australia starts to teeter oddly (4) AUTO {AU}{Te...r}{Od..y}

2   Menaces horribly, capturing initially pacific astronauts (8) SPACEMEN {MENACES}* over {Pa...c}

3   Abstain from drink having iodine (3,3) SIT OUT {S{I}TOUT}

4   Erratic source around lake results in shutdown (7) CLOSURE {C{L}OSURE*}

5   West, with armies, destroyed Bikini, for example (8) SWIMWEAR {W+W+ARMIES}*

6   Fruit from Chile, perhaps, with energy (6) LICHEE {CHILE*}{E}

7   Hastening, carrying a gun (4) STEN [HIPS]

14 Swear, "Dog's excited initially" (5) CURSE {CUR'S}{Ex...d}

16 Girl chased by running ants and other insects (5) GNATS {G}{ANTS*}

18 "Rock" handling equipment in bar (3,5) ICE TONGS [CD]

20 Excitedly, I mention, "Immediately" (2,2,4) IN NO TIME*

21 Company possesses musical instrument and lightweight Indian bed (7) CHARPOY {C{HARP}OY} 

23 Meaning get from another country (6) IMPORT [DD]

25 Anger about one spirit (6) WRAITH {WRA{1}TH}

27 Bird from Jaipur he aided (4) RHEA [T]

29 Bingo's 11 pairs of supporters (4) LEGS [GK/DD]

Reference List

New = N, European = E, Time = T, German = DE, Girl = G, Australia = AU, Drink = STOUT, Iodine = I, Lake = L, West = W, With = W, Energy = E

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 79, Sunday 25 Oct 2026, Afterdark

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   AI introduced in Vietnam is worthless (4) VAIN {V{AI}N}

9   Forced the crowd (5) DROVE [DD]

10 Employs American warship around central Nigeria (4) USES {US{nigEria}S}

11 Regional Engineering Colleges uses intellectual property to expose system (6) RECIPE {REC}{IP}E Efrom?

12 Described dog? Indeed (8) DETAILED {DE{TAIL}ED}

13 Engineer may bless convention (8) ASSEMBLY*

15 Clears tracks (6) STRIPS [DD] 

17 Temporarily uses first bus at golden lines (7) BORROWS {Bus}{OR}{ROWS}

19 Understands that time is redundant for these people (7) ?S?I?O?  Error in the clue

22 Energetic Kazakhstanis discard khakis and produce a poem, say (6) STANZA {kAZakhSTANis}*

24 Criminal Ellis hid in brae (8) HILLSIDE*

26 Precious stones kept in suit (8) DIAMONDS [DD]

28 Having uninterrupted power supply in Delhi East initially is an advantageous aspect (6) UPSIDE {UPS}{In}{De..i}{East}

30 Boy with golden spoon ultimately was brought to life by birth (4) BORN {B}{OR}{s..oN}

31 Indicate time (5) SPELL [DD]

32 Send son to guard borders (4) ENDS [T]

DOWN

1   Cook bass and koi first adding spice at the end (4) BAKE {Bass}{And}{Koi}{s..cE}

2   Technician in England shakes and has beer after removing lid (8) ENGINEER {IN+ENG}*{bEER}

3   Say, quickly debar first voter that's fraud (6) ADVERB {DEBAR+Vo..r}*

4   Farewell to leave with first daughter, boy, 4th wife on tour (7) GOODBYE {GO}{Da...r+BOY+wifE}* 

5   Doctors for depression? First session in the beginning (8) DENTISTS {DENT}{1ST}{Se...n}

6   Coach on line, beginning to go as it is more occupied (6) BUSIER {BUS}{tIER}

7   Female, stranger at England seen at fair (4) FETE {F}{ET}{E}

14 Fire bolt (5) SHOOT [DD]

16 To encourage to stay outside University is noble (5) PROUD {PRO{U}D}

18 Infirmity comes from fitful wakefulness, having flu (8) WEAKNESS {WAKEfulNESS}*

20 Demanded sibling shortened visit to India (8) INSISTED {IN{SISTEr}D}

21 How his personality is helping to make a rumour (7) WHISPER [T]

23 Baptizing Amin inside's not good (6) NAMING {N}{AMIN}{G}

25 Dolly sauntered around university noisily (6) LOUDLY {LO{U}DLY*}

27 Metal found in the environment (4) IRON [HIPS]

29 For fathers, daughters are darlings surely, from the beginning (4) DADS Acrostic

Reference List

Golden = OR, Boy = B, Female = F, Stranger = ET, England = E, University = U, India = IND, Not good = NG

No 14932, Saturday 24 October 2026, Incognito

ACROSS
8 Juliet is in front of sick girl tumbling after Jack (4) JILL {J}{ILL}

9 Kind of taste satsuma might possess (5) UMAMI [T]
10 Before 9, United Nations gets operating system (4) UNIX {IX}<=>{UN}
11 Cheese maker's tenner returned (6) RENNET<
12 Exaggerated usage, perhaps, about slaughter (8) OVERKILL {OVER}{KILL}
13 Where one may find figure eights left by sportspersons... (3,5) ICE RINKS [CD]
15 Distress call from vessel after vessel (3,3) PAN PAN {PAN}x2
17 Frank, a singer playing sitar around North America (7) SINATRA {SITAR*} around NA

19 In absence of a coach, diced and covered with gin cocktail to make pasta-like dumplings (7) GNOCCHI {COaCH*} in GIN*

22 Name child under guardian after editor (6) EDWARD {WARD}<=>{{ED}
24 Wrongly indicate a series of elements (8) ACTINIDE*
26 Disfigured Thane cop's memorial (8) CENOTAPH*
28 John and Theodore plundered (6) LOOTED {LOO}{TED}
30 Put it in big enchilada initially and sink teeth in (4) BITE {Big}{IT}{Enchilada}
31 With love, new elm may produce citrus fruit (5) LEMON {O+N+ELM}*
32 Give out loan instalment before time (4) EMIT {EMI}{T}

DOWN
1 Pest is in custody of policeman (4) LICE [HIPS]
2 Horrible rain near plot results in flatworms (8) PLANARIA {RAIN*}<=>{PLAN} anagram fodder amiss
3 Boy leaves dustbin for Hoffman (6) DUSTIN DUSTbIN

4 Oddly move Amos, after dropping Mike, and go away (7) VAMOOSE {mOVE AMOS}*
5 Tailless feline goes around mineral spring resort for period from birth till death (8) LIFESPAN {FELINe*} around SPA
6 Hide behind Russian, Mr Bond (6) RUSKIN {SKIN}<=>{RU}

7 Advertisement may be seen on board behind him (4) BILL [DD}
14 Spoiled rice before commencement of dinner and sobbed (5) CRIED {RICE*}{Dinner}
16 Pest from Andhra Pradesh covered (5) APHID {AP}{HID}
18 Shattered emerald strewn around front of pine tree (3,5) RED MAPLE {EMERALD*} around {Pine}

20 Means from criminal with pieces of paper currency (8) CONNOTES {CON}{NOTES}
21 Amish is cooking Japanese delicacy (7) SASHIMI*

23 Animal having crushed ego in climax (6) APOGEE APE around EGO*
25 Story book is a gift (6) TALENT {TALE}{NT}
27 Lake in Madikeri estate (4) ERIE [T]
29 Ruler's firearm is damaged after throwing far away (4) EMIR {fIREarM}*

REFERENCE LIST

Juliet=J, United Nations=UN, North America=NA, Editor=Ed, Love=0=O, New=N, Boy=B, Mike=M, Russian=RU, Andhra Pradesh=AP, Book=NT (New Testament).

No 14930, Friday 23 Oct 2026, Incognito

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

8   Husband with a large ring; a ring of light (4) HALO {H}{A}{L}{O}

9   Examine boss with lady at last (5) STUDY {STUD}{ladY}

10 Some offering for Ireland (4) ERIN [HIPS]

11 Inventor is done? Is in trouble? (6) EDISON*

12 Dreamt aiding me wrongly (8) IMAGINED*

13 Wrongly typed a key need for unaided vision (5,3) NAKED EYE*

15 Maximum sum tot may produce (6) UTMOST*

17 Well liked tree planted around university (7) POPULAR {POP{U}LAR}

19 Retain mother and stay silent (4,3) KEEP MUM {KEEP}{MUM}

22 Single thin length of thread is maroon (6) STRAND [DD]

24 Lebanon organisation shelters male aristocrat (8) NOBLEMAN {NOBLE{M}AN*}

26 Damaged CD containing incorrect visa at state team event in men's tennis (5,3) DAVIS CUP {CD}* over {VISA*} and {UP}

28 Girl in Salem building shines (6) GLEAMS {G}{SALEM*}

30 Curved structure in Munnar church (4) ARCH [T]

31 Letter found in home garage (5) OMEGA [T]

32 Place for temporary stay in penitentiary (4) TENT [HIPS]

DOWN

1   Part of body found in Khandwa (4) HAND [HIPS]

2   Excitedly arouse US author (8) ROUSSEAU*

3   Time for payment of bill from American church? Around 1st of November... (6) USANCE {USA}{CE} over {No...r}

4   Planet having pit at centre (7) JUPITER {JU{PIT}ER} Yesterday's crate is today's pit , with JUER still unresolved :-)

5   City says cure is arranged (8) SYRACUSE*

6   Average clairvoyant (6) MEDIUM [DD]

7   Man's relative by marriage? (4) WIFE [CD]

14 Pertaining to a part of a boxing match (5) ABOUT {A}{BOUT}

16 Method of diving from small island (5) SCUBA {S}{CUBA}

18 Loveless doctor goes around university following sailor and kidnapper (8) ABDUCTOR {Do{U}CTOR}<=>{AB}

20 Stops serpent coiling around top of vine (8) PREVENTS {PRE{Vine}ENTS*}

21 Fish photographer (7) SNAPPER [DD]

23 Get off! It's burning... (6) ALIGHT [DD]

25 Prohibit carrying breakfast food for mendicant (6) BEGGAR {B{EGG}AR}

27 Changing sari... showing attitude (4) AIRS*

29 Repair front of mower at last (4) MEND {Mo..r}{END}

Reference List

Husband = H, Large = L, University = U, Male = M, Girl = G, Church = CE, Small = S, Sailor = AB

No 14929, Thursday 22 Oct 2026, Incognito

Solution to 32A 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   Capital from Mali distributed (4) LIMA*

9   Equipment for diving from South America when carrying a little one (5) SCUBA {S{CUB}A}

10 Voltaire giving up vote in den (4) LAIR {voLtAIRe}

11 Small enchantress produces stick (6) SWITCH {S}{WITCH}

12 Water, air and tiger moved (8) IRRIGATE*

13 Tear up Korea vet's pass (8) OVERTAKE*

15 Carry manuscript and tribal symbols (6) TOTEMS {TOTE}{MS}

17 American statesman from South Africa rejected during Lanka tour (7) ALASKAN {AL{SA<=}KAN*}

19 Sees about guards not having uniform (7) REGARDS {RE}{GuARDS}

22 A model sailing manoeuvre for assault (6) ATTACK {A}{T}{TACK}

24 A modified firearm for a part of 20 (8) AIRFRAME {A}{FIREARM*}

26 Groan horribly and pass away, producing cotton cloth (8) ORGANDIE {GROAN*}{DIE}

28 First half of moon came up... It's gloomy (6) MOROSE {MOon}{ROSE}

30 Part of foot in China (4) INCH [T]

31 Excited about German submarine (1-4) U-BOAT*

32 Amphibian part found in railway track (4) F?O? (Addendum - FROG [DD] - See comments)

DOWN

1   Scenery from movie wanted (4) VIEW [T]

2   One bird between large and small lights (8) LANTERNS {L}{AN}{TERN}{S}

3   Organised steam bath, after losing bad bet, for medical problem (6) ASTHMA {SteAM+bATH}*

4   Planet having crater at centre (7) JUPITER JU{PIT}ER JUER from?

5   Worriedly retreat after boy produces hair clip (8) BARRETTE {RETREAT}*<=>{B}

6   De-board! It's on fire! (6) ALIGHT [DD]

7   Can start to type "Colour" (4) TINT {TIN}{Type}

14 Drink in Vermont for man-servant (5) VALET {V{ALE}T}

16 Lady remaining unchanged on return (5) MADAM <=>

18 Wrongly ousted a cocktail and invited for a date (5,3) ASKED OUT {OUSTED+A+cocK}*

20 Plane fliers in court after top class retaliation at first (8) AIRCRAFT {C{RAF}T}<=>{A1}{Re...n}

21 Animal book in Arthur's place (7) CAMELOT {CAMEL}{OT}

23 Indian from Andhra Pradesh with dull pain (6) APACHE {AP}{ACHE}

25 Exploding meteor is far away (6) REMOTE*

27 Currency mentioned in memorandum (4) RAND [HIPS]

29 Awful cost for a Highlander (4) SCOT*

Reference List

South = S, America = A, Small = S, Manuscript = MS, South Africa = SA, About = RE, Model = T, Large = L, Boy = B, Court = CT, Top class = A1, Fliers = RAF(Royal Air Force), Book = OT(Old Testament)

No 14928, Wednesday 21 Oct 2026, Arden

Solution to 12A 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   A continental drift — read about Adriatic sea (7) ASIATIC {ASIATIC+READ}*=ADRIATIC SEA [CA]

5   A complex individual soon to be in charge of gunners (7) ELECTRA {ELECT}{RA}

9   The atmosphere during get-togethers (5) ETHER [T]

10 Starts with British accent: Incantation in church by a priestess (9) BACCHANTE {Br...h}{Ac...t}{C{CHANT}E}

11 Expert made it transform into a chemical (9) ACETAMIDE {ACE}{MADE+IT}*

12 Involved with me in Germany, ready to overlook the odds (5) M?R?D {Addendum - MIRED {MIR}{rEaDy} - See comments)

13 Try writing about atmospheric pollution (4) SMOG {GO}{MS}<=

15 Wax filling expired — RIP (8) LACERATE {LA{CERA}TE}

18 Home spread — go after foot soldiers (8) INFANTRY {IN}{FAN}{TRY}

19 Girl wearing men's brand (4) LOGO {LO{G}O}

22 They assist in finding a vaccine finally to stop a virus (5) AIDES {AID{v...nE}S}

24 Poor enthusiasm for payment (9) BROKERAGE {BROKE}{RAGE}

26 New voice in case it's heard in and around Hong Kong (9) CANTONESE {CA{N}{TONE}SE}

27 All hope is gone once it's cooked (5) GOOSE [GK]

28 Left to conclude and herald the future (7) PORTEND {PORT}{END}

29 Suppressed anger finally, on the contrary (7) ENRAGED {EN{RAGE}D} What's the definition?

DOWN

1   Call father up or is it our forefather (3-3) APE-MAN {NAME}{PA}<=

2   One in Munich becomes a wasp (9) ICHNEUMON {ON+MUNICH}*

3   Part of outer radius is planet Earth (5) TERRA [T]

4   Convertible taxi allowed to go around port (9) CABRIOLET {CAB}{RIO}{LET}

5   He announced with enthusiasm, "close borders by end of June" (5) EMCEE {En...sM}{ClosE}{junE}

6   Passing border in record time line (9) EPHEMERAL {EP}{HEM}{ERA}{L}

7   Indicate northern drift (5) TENOR [T]

8   Program for mature political group (6) AGENDA {AGE}{NDA}

14 A former PM out to catch the boys on time (9) GLADSTONE {G{LADS}{T}ONE}

16 Extremely cohesive — only see working old Sri Lankans (9) CEYLONESE {Co...vE}{ONLY+SEE}*

17 Class slogan coined as follows (4,5) TAGS ALONG {TAG}{SLOGAN}*

20 Crazy plan to include an aide-de-camp (6) MADCAP {M{ADC}AP}

21 Saw hearts bleed all around (6) BEHELD {H+BLEED}*

23 A primary resolution to support sound money (5) DINAR {A}{Re...n}<=>{DIN}

24 Combine British advance (5) BLEND {B}{LEND}

25 Keen to increase age restriction (5) EAGER [T]

Reference List

Gunners = RA(Royal Artillery), Church = CE, Writing = MS(Manuscript), Home = IN, Mens = LOO, New = N, Record = EP(Extended Play), Line = L, Time = T, Hearts = H, British = B

Special, Tuesday 20 Oct 2026, Gussalufz

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 4 PM.

Enjoy.

No 14927, Monday 19 Oct 2026, Arden

Rangoli by Gowri

Solution to 6D 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   Upset eating supplement of fruit (8) SHADDOCK {SH{ADD}OCK}

5   Double shock about a ball (3-3) POM-POM {MOP<=}{MOP<=}

10 Passage for partners with characteristic coverage (7) TRANSIT {TRA{NS}IT}

11 Inside the tent rain seeps through — get into the coach (7) ENTRAIN [T]

12 Initially, find out latest information on the file (5) FOLIO Acrostic

13 Admit it's in short, a complaint (9) ENTERITIS {ENTER}{IT}{IS}

14 One way to protect the chair — go against eastern part of Jakarta (12) ANTIMACASSAR {ANTI}{MACASSAR} Cheated on this one

18 Contradictory orders on an official statement (5,7) PRESS RELEASE {PRESS}{RELEASE}

21 Herb and Frederick, say, excellent to follow (9) FORSYTHIA {FORSYTH}{A1<=} Reversal indicator missing

23 Cathedral city stretches over, for example, threnody (5) ELEGY {EL{EG}Y}

24 Establish home land (7) INSTATE {IN}{STATE}

25 Regularly signed, help us fully (2-5) IN-DEPTH {sIgNeD+hElP}{TH} (TH=The Hindu?) 

26 Part of legal enactment — it has some lead (6) GALENA [T]

27 Manhattan banks income perhaps acts as a reminder (8) MNEMONIC {Ma...aN}{INCOME*}

DOWN

1   Leave balance by flipping parts (3,3) SET OFF {OFF<=>SET} Not sure of anno

2   With a horse loose ends can be cultivated (6) ARABLE {ARAB}{LoosE}

3   Unfairly demonises a capital city (3,6) DES MOINES*

4   Firework is earth shattering — caught in film reel (9,5) CATHERINE WHEEL {EARTH*} in {CINE}{WHEEL}

6   Draw heart of a fish eater (5) O?T?R ()

7   Do appreciate staying outside court walls (8) PRACTISE {PRA{CourT}ISE}

8   Small cars go to the government department (8) MINISTRY {MINIS}{TRY}

9   Senior citizen guarantees pain all around (14)  SEPTUAGENARIAN*

15 Master flips his top — crazy to return to port (9) AMSTERDAM {(M<=>A)STER}{MAD<=}

16 Excellent season as Indian forces replace rebel leader (8) SPIFFING {SP(-r+iff)IFFING

17 True description of prison — not on counter-attack (8) REPRISAL {RE{PRISon}AL}

19 Study about temple — evenly dig some more (6) DEEPEN {DE{tEmPlE}N}

20 Setter's foolish — missing king's exaggerated (6) MYTHIC {MY}{THICk}

22 Long for the story you heard (5) YEARN (~yarn)

Reference List

Shock = MOP(of hair), Partners = N,S, Home = IN, Indian = I, Force = F

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 78, 18 Oct 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   Letter in Greek held by Mrs Michael Douglas (4) ZETA [DD]

9   Block at Smith's workplace (5) ANVIL [GK]

10 Experience absence of maiden on International Space Station (4) MISS {M}{ISS}

11 Small nuggets resulting in periods of low demand (6) SLUMPS {S}{LUMPS}

12 Logically argued about a descendant with editor (8) REASONED {RE}{A}{SON}{ED}

13 Calculates speed expected at first by ship in stormy seas (8) ASSESSES {Sp..d}Ex...d}{SS} in {SEAS}*

15 Increase CPU kit production (6) UPTICK*

17 Remove name from dead insect without direction and cut up in laboratory (7) DISSECT {D}{InSECT}* over {S}

19 Meat having no veins damaged (7) VENISON*

22 Modified wings from early design around end of August (6) ELYTRA {ELY(a...sT}RA*}

24 Pass Korea vet in distress (8)  OVERTAKE*

26 Musical instrument made by wrinkling clear tin (8) CLARINET*

28 Bird with Chinese spanner (6) WRENCH {WREN}{CH}

30 "Fish with a piece of earthworm" in Morse, for example (4) CODE {COD}{Ea...m}

31 Saint leaving sanatorium building for loved one (5) AMOUR {sanAtORiUM}*

32 Diseases found in Catskill sanatorium (4) ILLS [CD]

DOWN

1   Inform legendary archer (4) TELL [DD]

2   Husband with no upper limbs is not dangerous (8) HARMLESS {H}{ARMLESS}

3   Col.'s free tickets (6) PASSES [DD]

4   Severe disturbance on model mountain (7) EVEREST {SEVERE}*{T}

5   Excited perusal by sweetheart results in joy (8) PLEASURE {PERUSAL}* over {swEet}

6   Bring in wine after one month (6) IMPORT {PORT}<=>{1}{M}

7   Insular land in Tunis leased (4) ISLE [T]

14 Something used to make alcohol even now (5) STILL [DD]

16 Bird goes around large time machine (5) CLOCK {C{L}OCK}

18 Gadget from China was broken (8) CHAINSAW*

20 Brave new leader enters extraordinary riptide (8) INTREPID {I{New}TREPID*}

21 'F'-word used by aviators (7) FOXTROT [C&DD]

23 Following sailor, attain goal (6) TARGET {TAR}{GET}

25 Teddy and Fox in The Day of the Jackal (6) EDWARD [DD]

27 Conveniences in Waterloo station (4) LOOS [T]

29 Source of power in prison (4) CELL [DD]

Reference List

Maiden = M, Small = S, About = RE, Editor = ED, Ship = SS, Name = N, Dead = D, Chinese = CH, Husband = H, Model = T, Month = M, Large = L, Sailor = TAR