The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 72, Sunday 06 Sep 2026, Arden

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   Arrival at home — predator's back! (6) INFLOW {IN}{WOLF<=}

4   Viewed separately, aloo therefore is a plant (8) ACANTHUS {A}{CAN}{THUS}

10 Return some of the oil of tropical palm holding (9) PORTFOLIO [T<=]

11 Loud — loud not even free (5) LURID {LoUd}{RID}

12 Half of congress is back — mostly in an Italian dumpling (7) GNOCCHI {CONGress<=}{CHIc}

13 The noise vanishes with these Australian natives (7) DINGOES {DIN}{GOES}

14 Encourage for a long time to corral the horse (3,2)  EGG ON {E{GG}ON}

15 Silly old man clutched the gold and fell (8) MOORLAND {OLD+MAN}* over {OR}

18 Trick to complete size of paper (8) FOOLSCAP {FOOLS}{CAP} Trick or Tricks?

20 Refuse to eat a child snack (5) NACHO {N{A}{CH}O}

23 Fresh air brings an Australian back in this state (7) ARIZONA {AIR}* with {AN}{OZ}<=

25 Brown man not allowed inside circle (7) TANGENT {TAN}{GENT}

26 Monkey captures flower seller's heart (5) LORIS {fLORISt} They are not Monkeys!

27 Not knowing whether in church organ playing is permitted (9) IGNORANCE {I{ORGAN*}N}{CE}

28 Turn girl into a piece of shipboard machinery (8) WINDLASS {WIND}{LASS}

29 Approves initially after department of personnel training's submission (6) ADOPTS Acrostic

DOWN

1   Disputed case of dog wearing fancy denim (8) IMPUGNED {PUG} in {DENIM}*

2   Pile on pine for some distance (7) FURLONG {FUR}{LONG}

3   Formal inclusion of new plants and herbs used in medicinal preparations (9) OFFICINAL {OFFICI{N}AL}

5   Part of the IT revolution could perhaps be working out (5,9) CLOUD COMPUTING {COULD}* {COMPUTING}

6   Ultimately, cotton may feel too common like synthetic material (5) NYLON Tail Acrostic

7   Complain about old missile (7) HARPOON {HARP ON} over {O}

8   A savage said to go off on the way (6) SADIST {SAID*}{ST}

9   Subject of running machines freely without copyright (5,9) FLUID MECHANICS {FLUID}{MACHINES}* over {C}

16 Glad about inner working in the city (9) LENINGRAD {GLAD+INNER}*

17 Fastness not opposing hair at the bottom (8) FORTRESS {FOR}{TRESS}

19 Moronic interpretation of an alien character (7) OMICRON* Why alien?

21 Straighten out prize list inside (7) CLEANUP {C{LEAN}UP}

22 Fine on permit for undeveloped land (6) FALLOW {F}{ALLOW}

24 One billed inhouse, later (5) OUSEL [T]

Reference List

At home = IN, Loo = CAN, Horse = GG, Child = CH, Australian = OZ, Church = CE, New = N, Old = O, Way = ST, Copyright = C, Fine = F

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 69, Sunday 16 Aug 2026, Arden

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   Military orders to tolerate a ridicule (5,2,4) STAND AT EASE {STAND A TEASE}

7   First of all safety - and people undermine it (3) SAP Acrostic 

9   Middle name in a mix up - they provide early life cover (5) AMNIA {nAMe}{IN+A}*

10 Resistance to stop a film on murder - there's no shooting (9) ARMISTICE {A}{R}{MIST}{ICE}

11 With money, bank becomes more determined (9) DOUGHTIER {DOUGH}{TIER}

12 The bread winner brings it home... (5) BACON [CD]

13 ...and finally when the romantic ruler's getting amorous (7) NECKING {wheN}{thE}{r...iC}{KING}

15 Defy and force the ruffian (4) LOUT fLOUT

18 Plans over canned meat? (4) SPAM<=

20 Poet follows one as movement is slow (7) ANDANTE {DANTE}<=>{AN}

23 Daisy gets a stern warning to stay inside (5) ASTER [T]

24 New wine gets to head, shows unpleasantness (9) NASTINESS {N}{ASTI}{NESS}

26 Short course on drinking French wine in various regions (9) PROVINCES {PRO{VIN}CESs}

27 Come right inside the club (5) DRIVE {D{R}IVE}

28 Ultimately get to one digit (3) TOE Tail Acrostic

29 Dawdle around - days wasted finding top vegetable (5-6) LADYS FINGER {L{DAYS*}{Fi...g}INGER}

DOWN

1   School can make an impression while growing up (8) SCANDENT {S}{CAN}{DENT}

2   Declare the girl is overweight (8) ANNOUNCE {ANN}{OUNCE}

3   Inside a thing at the end (5) DEATH [T]

4   Making fun of a drink with Carol (7) TEASING {TEA}{SING}

5   A young man crossed over the border, returned with top officer (7) ADMIRAL {A} with {LA{RIM}D}<=

6   Oriental shock involving billions - going to China? (9) EASTBOUND {E}{AST{B}OUND}

7   Partners lie on long grass (6) SNITCH {S}{N}{ITCH}

8   Praises break up involving a sweetheart (6) PAEANS {SNAP<=} over {A}{swEet}

14 Justme with broken Tamil, about average (9) IMPARTIAL {I}{M{PAR}TIAL*}

16 The ruler, having born before '50 is praying (8) KNEELING {K{NEE}{L}ING}

17 Males promise merchandise for a haberdashery (8) MENSWEAR {MEN}{SWEAR}

19 Threatened people, one died later (7) MENACED {MEN}{ACE}{D}

20 Helps musicians to leave Britain (7) ASSISTS bASSISTS

21 Castigate for reviewing some of the corporate practices (6) CARPET [T<=]

22 Set to go out- no time for an underling (6) STOOGE {SEt+TO+GO}*

25 Tinned fruit picked regularly for a lemur (5) INDRI {tInNeD+fRuIt}

Reference List

Resistance = R, Force = F, New = N, Head = NESS, French wine = VIN, Right = R, School = S, Oriental = E, Billions = B, Partners = N,S, Born = NEE< 50 = L, Died = D, Britain = B, Time = T

No 14871, Thursday 13 Aug 2026, Arden

Solution to 2D 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   Such a number is a contradiction — any way you look at it (5,3,2,4) NEVER ODD OR EVEN <=>

10 Old lot rejected praise (5) EXTOL {EX}{LOT<=}

11 Visit to observe things first hand and make landfall (5,4) FIELD TRIP {FIELD}{TRIP}

12 Hog on surplus, not to be returned (7) GLUTTON {GLUT}{NOT<=}

13 It's iced rum which is most unpredictable (7) DICIEST*

14 Drive over dead animal (5) ELAND {ELAN}{D}

16 Love to read part of a review at a roman institution (9) INAMORATA [T<=]

19 Plant to look intelligent (9) EYEBRIGHT {EYE}{BRIGHT}

20 Well chosen land (5) SPAIN {SPA}{IN}

22 Increasing current passing through the coil (7) RAMPING {R{AMP}ING}

25 A worker getting angry about firm (7) ADAMANT {A}{MAD<=}{ANT}

27 Unfortunately, Hindus get blinded (9) UNSIGHTED*

28 Some return from Newcastle to Hedley to find accommodation (5) HOTEL [T<=]

29 Our fearsome dog barking as well (3,4,7) FOR GOOD MEASURE* 

DOWN

2   Engage half heartedly to accommodate travel companions (9) E?T?U?A?E (Addendum - ENTOURAGE {EN(-g+tour)TOURAGE} - See Comments)

3   Confidence shown amid all the clatter (5) ECLAT [T]

4   Being rude is bad conclusion (9) OFFENDING {OFF}{ENDING}

5   Fear of death before scan (5) DREAD {D}{READ}

6   They wrote proclamations which embarrassed the cast (9) REDACTORS {RED}{ACTORS}

7   Engine driver set to keep within the lines (5) VERSE [T]

8   Rising prospect of hard hat perhaps finding a fraction of crude oil (7) NAPHTHA {PAN<=}{H}{HAT*}

9   Outstanding protection for English disease (6) DENGUE {D{ENG}UE}

15 Audacity of the Democratic party to go about making mistakes (7-2) DERRING-DO {D}{DO} over {ERRING}

17 Twinkling star will confuse on how to ride a horse (9) ASTRADDLE {STAR*}{ADDLE}

18 Destroy area, blast the stone (9) ALABASTER* 

19 Uniform force inside frame made to protect against cold and noise (7) EARMUFF {U}{F} in {FRAME}*

21 Outsiders narrate that line in anger (6) NETTLE {Na...tE}{ThaT}{LinE}

23 Tight-fisted gentleman is wasting time (5) MISER MIStER

24 To end it all, camping area not safe and enclosed (5) GATED Tail Acrostic

26 Jack embraces, he remains (5) ASHES {AS{HE}S}

Reference List

Old = EX, Dead = D, Chosen = IN, Death = D, Prospect = PAN, Hard = H, Democratic = D, Party = DO, Uniform = U, Force = F, Time = T

No 14870, Wednesday 12 Aug 2026, Arden

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

1   Fools stay home, he takes them out (8) ASSASSIN {ASS}{ASS}{IN}

5   Even America is all gas (6) FLATUS {FLAT}{US}

10 Organic material around here in the centre is bone (7) HUMERUS {HUM{hERe}US}

middle — could also be a starter (7) RAVIOLI {dRAVId}{sOLId}

12 Woman or man in the opera (5) NORMA [T]

13 Downturn with fish diminishing (9) DWINDLING {D}{WIND}{LING}

14 "Press 4", most of them say (6,6) FOURTH ESTATE {FOUR}{THEm}{STATE}

18 Chester Allen cooked mushrooms (12) CHANTERELLES*

21 It may follow Bobby on duty (6,3) POLICE DOG {DOG}<=>{POLICE} Semi&lit

23 Change by shuffling at the top in the future (5) ALTER (L<=>A}ALTER

24 Tear off layer of mud (7) EARTHEN {TEAR*}{HEN}

25 Do second language from first grade (7) SHINDIG {S}{HINDI}{Gr..e}

26 Ring in place, digging out the odd bits (6) S?G?E?  (Addendum - SIGNET {S{dIgGiNg}ET} - See comments)

27 It receives a call for help like by day's end showing geological balance (8) ISOSTASY {I{SOS}T}{AS}{daY}

DOWN

1   Since then, invested the capital (6) ATHENS {A{THEN}S}

2   Doctor punctures boil, it's serious (6) SOMBRE {SO{MB}RE}

3   Go through and through the tap — it's open (6,3) SPREAD OUT {SP{READ}OUT}

4   Home team call to cover shoot up is illegal (7,7) INSIDER TRADING {IN}{SIDE}{R{DART<=}ING}

6   Place 4 in sealed cover and cross (5) LIVID {L{IV}ID}

7   Left uprising — Indian state is hot and humid (8) TROPICAL {PORT<=}{I}{CAL}

8   Rash with ones hard to go through (8) SHINGLES {S{H}INGLES}

9   Gold and tin brought up by lifts — keeping record of those who study birds (14) ORNITHOLOGISTS {OR}{TIN<=}{HO{LOG}ISTS}

15 Plots scores in a random fashion (9) SCENARIOS*

16 Drains for meals eaten cold (8) SCUPPERS {S{C}UPPERS}

17 Cow to crow about accomplice (8) BALLYRAG {B{ALLY}RAG}

19 Somehow assimilated but miles away from grounds (6) STADIA ASsImilATsD*

20 Scream over a horse that's ragged (6) CRAGGY {CR{A}{GG}Y}

22 Fish for business turn over (5) COHOE {CO}{HOE}

Reference List

Home = IN, Down = D, Second = S, Doctor = MB, Indian = I, Hard = H, Cold = C, Horse = GG, Business = CO

No 14869, Tuesday 11 Aug 2026, Arden

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   Run over chasing main pirate (3,4) SEA WOLF {FLOW<=}<=>{SEA}

5   Ran around carrying oil through a cloud of gas and dust (7) NEBULAR {RA{LUBE}N}<= Wordplay leads to {RAN<=} over {LUBE}

9   In the plan aims to accommodate a verandah (5) LANAI [T]

10 On record it is a complaint (9) ENTERITIS {ENTER}{IT}{IS}

11 In an extremely wretched way, getting through with modest investment in a year (9) ABYSMALLY {BY}{SMALL} in {A}{Y} 

12 Panic on seeing some of these figures (5) ICONS [T]

13 Reward if leader goes for duty (4) ONUS bONUS

15 Worries about touring team's ID badges (4,4) NAME TAGS {N{TEAM*}AGS}

18 Passionate check over macho males (8) VEHEMENT {VE{HE MEN}T}

19 Animal brought back in a rush (4) REED<=

22 True male specialty (5) REALM {REAL}{M}

24 Sadness on coping with any misbehaviour (9) POIGNANCY {COPING+ANY}*

26 Original art, new nation follows American actor (9) TARANTINO {ART*}{NATION*}

27 Love putting our middle name in front (5) AMOUR {OUR}<=>{nAMe}

28 Sunday worship helps farmers (7) SPRAYER {S}{PRAYER}

29 Refuse to return and receive attention one longed for (7) YEARNED {DENY<=} over {EAR}

DOWN

1   Extremely scary, left in front amid all the trees (6) SYLVAN {ScarY}{L}{VAN}

2   Anyone can get agitated and show displeasure (9) ANNOYANCE*

3   Number starts with one — payment is usually monthly (5) OPIUM Acrostic

4   Independent cover up inland (9) FREELANCE {FR{LEE<=}ANCE}

5   Trendy Times in denial (5) NATTY {NA{T}{T}Y}

6   Counsel picks up knight in exchange (9) BARRISTER {BAR{SIR<=}TER}

7   Besotted bachelor goes for a game of chance (5) LOTTO bLOTTO

8   Counter is found among others (6) RESIST {RES{IS}T}

14 First thing needed for business growth (4,5) SEED MONEY [CD]

16 Many houses fit only for marriage (9) MATRIMONY {MA{TRIM}{O}NY}

17 Party with Trump as an apprentice (9) GREENHORN {GREEN}{HORN}

20 Bottom string for instrument picked up for free (6) GRATIS {s...nG}{SITAR<=}

21 Happy birthday, missing at compound (6) ?Y?R?D ()

23 Dry outside on the clothesline (5) AIRER {AI{RE}R}

24 He assisted the abbot earlier (5) PRIOR [DD]

25 In Tuscany, a large animal is found (5) NYALA [T]

Reference List

Year = Y, Male = M, Sunday = S, Left = L, in front = VAN, Time = T, Bachelor = B, Only = O, On = RE

No 14839, Tuesday 07 Jul 2026, Arden

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

6   One soon retrieves part of the loop (5) NOOSE [T<=]

7   Poorly dressed - carp about bum (8) FRUMPISH {F{RUMP}ISH}

10 Fellow traveller's income very good (7) COMRADE {COM{RAD}E}

11 She stops destruction with her spirit (7) BANSHEE {BAN{SHE}E}

12 Star's short reply to possessing weed (7) ANTARES {AN{TARE}S}

13 Act of anointing - do without force (7) UNCTION fUNCTION

14 Talk about separate section (11) COMPARTMENT {COM{PART}MENT}

19 Plant is clean, perhaps (7) SANICLE*

21 Subject of beer drinking girl - it comes with two cups (7) ALGEBRA {AL{G}E}{BRA}

23 Easy to read on holy book after doffing cap (7) LEGIBLE {LEG}{bIBLE} 

25 Maybe one got hard-hearted at work (2,3,2) ON THE GO {ONE+GOT+H}*

26 Alarmed about new municipal council member (8) ALDERMAN {ALARMED}*{N}

27 Burst forth and get pure extract in return (5) ERUPT [T<=]

DOWN

1   Make up for an alien in heavenly surroundings (8) COSMETIC {COSM{ET}IC}

2   Set right the salesman's attitude (6) REPAIR {REP}{AIR}

3   Eat dessert topping or bay rum? (10) ?F?E?S?A?E (Addendum - AFTERSHAVE {HAVE}<=>{AFTERS} - See comments)

4   Leaders never understand most basics, have no feeling (4) NUMB Acrostic

5   Another mishit results in thin strips (6) ISTHMI*

6   Approach outside court, honey (6) NECTAR {NE{CT}AR}

8   Long search to begin with confidence (7) PANACHE {ACHE}<=>{PAN}

9   Do live with a refusal (5) BEANO {BE}{A}{NO} 

13 Somewhat terrible pain - opt out (2,2,1,5) UP TO A POINT*

15 Fearsome animal casing the vehicle (7) MACABRE {MA{CAB}RE}

16 Shows board with gold cross (8) TABLEAUX {TABLE}{AU}{X}

17 Carol's school dress is appropriate (5) PSALM {P{S}ALM}

18 Raised pig without animal handler (6) MAHOUT {HAM<=}{OUT}

20 Upset horse in the middle of a river (6) NIGGLE {NI{GG}LE}

22 Complete after midnight - refuse to go in here (6) GUTTER {UTTER}<=>{niGht}

24 Manages to trim the top of trees (4) ELMS hELMS

Reference List

Force = F, Girl = G, Hard = H, New = N, Alien = ET, Court = CT, School = S, Horse = GG

No 14838, Monday 06 Jul 2026, Arden

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   PM comes to grip with a druggie without work and his method of working (5,8) MODUS OPERANDI {MOD{US{{OP}ER}{AND}I}

10 Slammed as the little devil played a role (5) ACTED impACTED

11 With home study make true agreement (9) INDENTURE {IN}{DEN}{TRUE*}

12 Rage about one going underwater — it's highly corrosive (4,5) AQUA REGIA {REG{1}A*}<=>{AQUA}

13 Sweep opening, take time off for golf (5) DEBUG DEBU(-t+g)G

14 The German drink will subside (3,4) DIE DOWN {DIE}{DOWN} 

16 Good natured, is nice to back some one in the group (7) INSIDER [T<=]

18 Next to undress — questions follow revelations (7) EXPOSES {nEXt}{POSES}

20 Lizard losing head in company of a furry animal (7) GUANACO {iGUANA}{CO}

22 Gets rid of bags filled with cork finally (5) SACKS {SAC{corK}S}

24 Sailing, generally (2,3,4) IN THE MAIN [DD]

26 Initially, no objection certificate to use radio not allowed late in the night (9) NOCTURNAL Acrostic

27 Speak for zero value (5) ORATE {O}{RATE}

28 I get a front man out breaking (13) FRAGMENTATION*

DOWN

2   Starts offering basic training — it's impolite to interfere (7) OBTRUDE {Of...g}{Ba..c}{Tr...g}{RUDE}

3   Experiences of active end user taking leave (9) UNDERGOES {END+USER}* over {GO}

4   Start off planting being in debt (5) OWING sOWING

5   Adorable, getting attention in conclusion (9) ENDEARING {END{EAR}ING}

6   Covered new roof within a day (5) AWNED {A}{NEW*}D} Roof as Anind? (Addendum - {A}{W{New}ED} - See comments)

7   Pounded back of head and massaged (7) DRUBBED {heaD}{RUBBED}

8   Usually no odd ones while dealing with a dip, say (5,8) SALAD DRESSING {uSuAlIy}{ADDRESSING}

9   Not even greying beard can be contrary to a radiation detector (6,7) GEIGER COUNTER {GrEyInG+bEaRd}{COUNTER}

15 New subject, without ignorance (9) NESCIENCE {NEw}SCIENCE}

17 "Room for suspicion", they say, when disoriented (6-3) S?A?E? O?T (Addendum - SPACED OUT {SPACE}{(~doubt)DOUT} - See comments)

19 Spectacular shot, showing no lust for a safety vehicle on track (4,3) PACE CAR  sPECtACulAR*

21 A bash over regular fashion makes one brave (7) ARAPAHO {A}{RAP}{fAsHiOn}

23 Suspended second breather (5) SLUNG {S}{LUNG}

25 Washroom — not one available for renting (2,3) TO LET TOiLET

Reference List

Work = OP, Time = T, Golf = G, With = W, Second = S

No 14837, Saturday 04 July 2026, Arden

 ACROSS
1 Cheer about Oscar, it reverberates twice (6) REECHO {CHEER}*{O}
4 Stays silent on how dad stays married (5,3) KEEPS MUM [DD]
10 Concluding comments covering lots of pages on a soft drink (5,4) CREAM SODA {CODA} around {REAMS}

11 Repetition reviewed during tenure regularly (5) RERUN [T<]
12 Told you to use silent instrument (7) UTENSIL {U(~YOU}{SILENT*}
13 Dirty urinals cut off (7) INSULAR*
14 Bristles at rejected entry into Vatican (5) SETAE {AT<} inside {SEE}
15 Cassandra - a film about left and right, primarily (8) ALARMIST {A}{MIST} around {Left}{And}{Right}
18 Expressing contempt - back in Dubai, perhaps or its neighbour (3,5) ABU DHABI {BAH<} in {DUBAI*}
20 Duplicates of small cots (5) CRIBS [DD]
23 Classify a record on Asian language (7) TAGALOG {TAG}{A}{LOG}
25 Top few, in other words, are unpleasant (7) NOISOME {NO 1}{SOME}
26 Old get promoted, mostly (5) PASSE {PASSEd}
27 Club provides hemp in a party (9) BASTINADO {BAST}{IN}{A}{DO}
28 Stator winding concealed - he changes the resistance (8) RHEOSTAT {STATOR}* around {HE}

29 Be there at ten daily (6) ATTEND {AT}{TEN}{D}

DOWN
1 Race ends - Aintree, perhaps, is an option (8) RECOURSE {RacE}{COURSE}
2 Top of the world, always is in Paris...(7) EVEREST {EVER}{EST}
3 ...instead bifurcated a hacienda, perhaps (9) HOMESTEAD {HOME=IN}{STEAD}

5 Material gain is unexpected considering everyone's equal (14) EGALITARIANISM*
6 Hilton, perhaps, is capital (5) PARIS [DD]
7 Losing them makes one go insane (7) MARBLES [CD] 
8 Spaceman tracking to include the tag-line (6) MANTRA [T]
9 Short book list - find book in a large fancy cover on this subject (7,7) BOOLEAN ALGEBRA {BOOk}{LEAN}+{B} in {A LARGE}*
16 "Red China is covered in smog", says Turner (9) MACHINIST {CHINA}* in {MIST}
17 Space traveller finds a chemical substance (8) ASTEROID {A}{STEROID}
19 Mean to collect for example, NO bio-fuel (7) BAGASSE {BASE} around {GAS}
21 I criticize accepting order to quarantine (7) ISOLATE {I}{S{O}LATE}
22 Puts up with an alternative to lethargy (6) STUPOR {PUTS<}{OR}
24 Among strangers, no adult gets legal rights over property (5) LIENS {aLIENS}

REFERENCE LIST

Oscar=O, Is in Paris=EST {Is in French}, Book=B, Order=O, Adult=A.

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 62, Sunday 28 Jun 2026, Arden

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

9   A book on coffee - review gets backing (7) ABETTAL {A}{B}{LATTE<=}

10 Point to follow - Harry and you, find some capital (7) YAOUNDE {E} after {AND+YOU}*

11 Slight shortage in hormone (7) INSULIN {INSULt}{IN}

12 Boy describes map of Northern Finland (7) LAPLAND {LA{PLAN}D}

13 Intended to raise, stole a vehicle (9) CARJACKED {CAR{JACK}ED}

15 Aversion for a cricket match - strange to get run out (5) ODIUM {ODI}{rUM}

16 Haunt as hood grabs a part (7) HABITAT {H{A}{BIT}AT}

19 Taken in by a small glove (7) SMITTEN {S}{MITTEN}

20 Caught in a dire situation - it's rock bottom (5) NADIR [T]

21 Resolve matter, or block departure from port (9) ROTTERDAM {MATTER+OR}* over {D}

25 Plant loaded only on west-bound donkey (7) OREGANO {O}{ONAGER<=}

26 The elderly accommodated in a big room with luggage (7) HOLDALL {H{OLD}ALL}

28 See love rejected - it's not a pretty sight (7) EYESORE {EYE}{EROS<=}

29 Copying model on the tracks, say (7) TRACING {T}{RACING}

DOWN

1   America in a mess - set up somewhat by a crazy guy (6) MANIAC [T<=]

2   Drinks beer regularly in a promotional video (6) TEASER {TEAS}{bEeR}

3   Part of retaliation among others (2,2) ET AL [HIPS]

4   Scientist's design check - ignoring insiders (6) PLANCK {PLAN}{Ch.cK}

5   Spins around 2 Greek islands (8) CYCLADES {CYCL{AD}ES}

6   Give and take income - dance is held (10) COMPROMISE {COM{PROM}{IS}E}

7   Girl's inclination for a historian (8) ANNALIST {ANNA}{LIST}

8   Macho males eat radish regularly and keep an eye on their stock (8) HERDSMEN {HE MEN} over {RaDiSh}

14 A torn piece of electrical machinery? (10) ALTERNATOR {A+TORN}* [RA]

16 German city acquiring middle age relic (8) HANGOVER {HAN{aGe}OVER}

17 Harried for special grade lying down (8) BADGERED {GRADE}* in {BED}

18 Nips yield (8) TURNOVER  (spin/turn over)

22 It comes up around a very popular place in South Pacific (6) TAHITI {IT<=} over {A}{HIT}

23 Consists of two parts - dreamy and idyllic from all sides... (6) DYADIC {Dr..mY}{AnD}{Id...iC}

24 ...Informal again in the south of Spain (6) MALAGA [T]

27 Lift bar for a teller of tales (4) LIAR<=

Reference List

Book = B, Point = E, Run = R, Small = S, Departure = D, Only = O, Model = T, Dance = PROM 

The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday No 61, Sunday 21 Jun 2026,Arden

Artwork by Prasanna

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ACROSS

1   Perhaps able to get one married shortly - it's naturally fertilizing (8) BONEMEAL {B{ONE}{Ma...d}EAL*}

5   Rollover I have overlooked... (6) WAIVED {WA{I'VE}D}

10 ...and committed to restrict (7) STAUNCH 

11 Old sailors found, say, a mini wearing girl (7) LASCARS {LAS{CAR}S}

12 Found before court (5) ERECT {ERE}{CT}

13 Strange predilections - not done at face value (4,5) LIST PRICE PREdILeCTIonS*

14 Propagation in half the country (12) INSEMINATION {IN}{SEMI}{NATION}

18 Provide cleanest side for a diner (12) DELICATESSEN* 

21 One on the wagon with a black paint (9) ABSTAINER {A}{B}{STAINER}

23 Cover empty drawer and copy (5) DRAPE {Dr..eR}{APE}

24 In my opinion, covering history is like a painting technique (7) IMPASTO {IM{PAST}O}

25 Country in Europe, is not a representation (7) ESTONIA {E}{IS+NOT+A}*

26 Some are present at a mid-week rush (6) TATAMI [T]

27 Harry Morgan's taking time for such a short distance (8) ANGSTROM {ANGS{T}ROM*}

DOWN

1   Breed born with wealth (6) BASSET {B}{ASSET}

2   Spruce up when finally consumed (6) NEATEN {wheN}{EATEN}

3   "Pick-me-up after one" - sung in a flat pitch (9) MONOTONIC {TONIC}<=>{MONO}

4   Wind and clothesline - metaphorically, seen as a vulnerability (8,6) ACHILLES TENDON*

6   Story-teller makes one sit up (5) AESOP {POSE}{A}<=

7   Perhaps Putin's angry rival is getting clueless (8) VLADIMIR {RIVAL}* over {DIM}

8   Detects record reprints - not counting the odd ones (8) DISCERNS {DISC}{rEpRiNtS}

9   Various cults around Singapore could be seen in a theatre (7,7) PLASTIC SURGEON {CULTS+SINGAPORE}*

15 Direct ones acted and they're related (9) ANECDOTES* [CD]

16 Romantic thought and inclination (8) IDEALIST {IDEA}{LIST}

17 Filmed occasionally, photographed outside top Paris strip joint (8) FLESHPOT {FiLmEd}{SH{Pa..s}OT}

19 Standard to disqualify her, they say (6) BANNER (~ban her)

20 Soothe with an ointment - cover exposed neck (6) BECALM 

22 State after a pile up (5) ASSAM {A}{MASS<=}

Reference List

Court = CT, Black = B, Europe = E, Time = T, Born = B 

No 14812, Friday 05 Jun 2026, Arden

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

ACROSS

1   Well, takes seconds to create trouble (6) HASSLE {HA{S}{S}LE} 

4   Yearns to get help for a medical complaint (8) DIABETES {DI{ABET}ES}

9   Song about ultimate love and beginning of love in the air (6) AERIAL {A{lovE}RIA}{Love}

10 Chasm created before fleece (8) CASHMERE {CHASM*}{ERE}

12 VIPs were all over the place for advance shows (8) PREVIEWS* 

13 Outlook of a group that keeps quiet (6) ASPECT {A}{S{P}ECT}

15 Perhaps organise team for a threesome (6,1,5) MENAGE A TROIS*

18 Nothing under the closet - showing insincere affection (8,4) CUPBOARD LOVE {LOVE}<=>{CUPBOARD}

21 Turns out taking drug causes disturbance (6) UNREST {UNR{E}ST*}

22 Nickname for Charlie -"Go back only with women" (8) COGNOMEN {C}{GO<=}{NO MEN}

24 Spray is not working - discard (8) JETTISON {JET}{IS+NOT}*

25 One sits quietly before God in a holy place (6) ASHRAM {A}{SH}{RAM}

26 Perhaps Robert's getting a tan (8) BROWNING [DD]

27 French city where Poles take a bet (6) NANTES {N}{ANTE}{S}

DOWN

1   Spooner's bio-fuel, prominence is for a refrigerator (4,4) HEAT PUMP (~peat hump to heat pump)

2   Theatre people and their desire in their progenies (8) SURGEONS {S{URGES}ONS}

3   No.1 quiz that prompts the answer wanted (7,8) LEADING QUESTION {LEADING}{QUESTION}

5   Some aspirants are from this country (4) IRAN [HIPS]

6   Abandon Asia - he is happy with national language (6,9) BAHASA INDONESIA {ABANDON+HE+IS+HAPPY}* 

7   Essays she set to rewrite (6) THESES*

8   Arrange seats, one comes in for some rest (6) SIESTA {S{1}ESTA*}

11 Trust the fancy brew, say (5,2) SWEAR BY*

14 Tense on ground? That's betrayal (7) TREASON {T}{REASON}

16 To millions and millions conservative rise is rubbish (8) TOMMYROT {TO}{M}{M}{TORY<=}

17 These are perhaps writers' assumed title (3,5) PEN NAMES {PEN{NAME}S} &lit

19 State wordplay for an injection (6) PUNJAB {PUN}{JAB}

20 Compelled to include the final prayer at the shrine (6) GROTTO {GO TO} over {p...eR}

23 Tough to proceed (4) GOON {GO ON}

Reference List

Second = S, before = ERE, Quiet = P, Drug = E, Charlie = C, Poles = N,S, Tense = T, Millions = M