Ludhiana's Anhad and IIT Delhi's Arnav Top April ACAD Cryptic Crossword Competition

The highly anticipated results of the A Clue A Day (ACAD) April 2025 Contest have been officially announced, showcasing brilliant minds from across India and the globe. With fierce competition and a series of challenging puzzles, the April edition of ACAD Quad- comprising four versions viz ACAD, ACAD Plus, ACAD Senior and ACAD Global, once again proved to be a battleground for intellectuals, cryptic crossword enthusiasts, and wordplay aficionados.

The winners of the ACAD Quad for April 2025 represent the top echelon of puzzle-solving, each demonstrating exceptional reasoning, wit, and analytical thinking. Here’s a detailed look at the top performers:

ACAD National Winners:

Anhad, from Ludhiana, emerged as the national champion, demonstrating her brilliance and mastery in the world of cryptic crosswords. These outstanding students from schools across India displayed an unmatched ability to crack even the toughest clues, earning them national recognition.

• Rank 1: Anhad – BCM Arya Model Sr Secondary School, Ludhiana
• Rank 2: Dhairya Pandey – Don Bosco Academy, Patna
• Rank 3: Samriddhi SS Iyenger – Kendriya Vidyalay, University of Hyderabad Campus

ACAD Plus National Winners:

The ACAD Plus category, which targets higher-level participants, featured some of the brightest minds from prestigious universities and institutions. Arnav V Raju from IIT Delhi took the top spot, securing his place as a leader in the intellectual puzzle-solving community. His victory underscores the importance of sharp critical thinking and perseverance.

• Rank 1: Arnav V Raju – IIT Delhi
• Rank 2: Samruddhi Sinai Salgaonkar – Goa Dental College, Goa
• Rank 3: Shyam Krishna Shenoy A – Virginia Tech, USA

ACAD Senior National Winners:

In the ACAD Senior National category, seasoned puzzle solvers once again proved their mettle. Dhirendra Tripathi, hailing from Ahmedabad, clinched the top position, showing that years of honing one’s skills in the world of crosswords pays off. His dedication and expertise have earned him national recognition among cryptic crossword enthusiasts.

• Rank 1: Dhirendra Tripathi – Ahmedabad
• Rank 2: Anantakrishnan Narayanan – Pune
• Rank 3: R Nagendra Prasad – Bangalore

ACAD Global International Winners:

The ACAD Global International Winners category saw global participation with remarkable talent emerging from across the world. Ramakrishnan Krishnan from India emerged as the global champion, further cementing the global reach and appeal of the ACAD platform. Sowmya Ramkumar from Bahrain and Harish Kamath from India followed in second and third place, respectively, showing the growing international influence of ACAD.

• Rank 1: Ramakrishnan Krishnan – India
• Rank 2: Sowmya Ramkumar – Bahrain
• Rank 3: Harish Kamath – India

The A Clue A Day contest is more than just a competition—it's a platform for intellectual development, logical reasoning, and the promotion of critical thinking. With each edition, ACAD continues to attract brilliant minds from all walks of life, fostering a community where participants can sharpen their cognitive abilities while engaging in friendly competition.

The April edition, like all past contests, challenged participants with a series of cryptic crossword puzzles that test their vocabulary, lateral thinking, and problem-solving skills. The winners of ACAD 2025 have not only earned recognition but have also proven their potential to excel in any intellectual pursuit they choose to follow.