New Delhi/Patna: The Miranda House Cryptic Crossword Contest 2026 was successfully conducted at Miranda House, Delhi, with enthusiastic participation from students. The contest was organised by Miranda House and the Crossword Association of Delhi (CWAD) to promote cryptic crosswords among young minds and encourage vocabulary, logical reasoning and lateral thinking.
Crossword Expert Vinayak Ekbote Conducts Contest
The competition was conducted by Vinayak Ekbote, crossword expert, mentor and Vice President of the Crossword Association of Delhi. A seasoned cruciverbalist, Ekbote has been involved in conducting crossword workshops and contests and mentoring young solvers across India.
His engaging approach and expertise in cryptic crossword techniques have made him a recognised figure in India’s crossword community.
Students Compete in Two Categories
The competition featured an Open Category, which saw participation from students from different institutions, along with a dedicated Miranda House Category for students of the host college.
Open Category Winners
Adya Singh of St. Stephen’s College secured the first position in the Open Category. Krishiv Raj Gupta, also from St. Stephen’s College, finished as the runner-up, while Raghav Tyagi of MAIT secured third place.
Miranda House Category Winners
In the Miranda House Category, Priyanka Singh emerged as the winner. Arushi Thakur secured the second position, while Khushi Akram finished third.
Contest Promotes Logic and Lateral Thinking
The contest provided students with an opportunity to experience cryptic crosswords as an engaging intellectual sport. Participants were challenged to move beyond conventional vocabulary and apply logic, wordplay and lateral thinking to solve the puzzles.
Efforts to Build Crossword Culture Among Students
The event further strengthened the efforts of Miranda House and the Crossword Association of Delhi to promote a vibrant crossword culture among students.
The organisers said such competitions can help introduce more young people to the intellectual challenge and creative possibilities of cryptic crosswords while encouraging skills such as vocabulary building, reasoning and problem-solving.
