Patna: The practice round of the A Clue A Day (ACAD) Contest 2026, spanning all four categories—ACAD School, ACAD College, ACAD Elder and ACAD Global—concluded with the final set of clues published on crypticsingh.com on January 31, 2026. The four-day round, which began on January 27, drew participants from across India and overseas, showcasing a high level of cryptic crossword-solving skill and intellectual agility.
Designed as a warm-up ahead of the main competition, the practice round tested participants on logic, language, lateral thinking and interpretative precision. Contestants competed daily, solving cryptic clues online in a format that has steadily built a following among wordplay enthusiasts of all ages.
At the end of the practice phase, winners were announced in each category. In the ACAD School category, Saptak Gupta of DPS Patna emerged on top. The ACAD College winner was Om Kumar Jha from NIT Manipur. In the ACAD Elder category, Jacob Brahmakulam from Thrissur, Kerala, secured first place. The ACAD Global category was led by Samit Kallinapur from Secunderabad, Telangana, who stood out for his linguistic dexterity and strategic approach on the international platform.
With the practice round complete, the competitive phase of ACAD 2026 officially began on February 1 and will run until October 31, 2026. During this period, participants will face a new cryptic clue each day, with monthly prizes awarded to top performers in all four categories.
The contestant achieving the highest cumulative score across the competitive phase will be declared the Grand Winner of ACAD 2026. As a fully online, daily cryptic crossword contest, ACAD continues to attract a diverse community of solvers, fostering intellectual curiosity and a sustained engagement with word puzzles.
Organisers say the months ahead promise an intense and rewarding contest, challenging participants to sharpen their linguistic proficiency, logical reasoning and creative problem-solving skills through consistent daily play.
