Hello readers. 2025 has started with a bang for cryptic crossword lovers. Extra C, the organization behind the very successful IXL (Indian Crossword League) announced a daily cryptic clue contest called ACAD Global (A Clue A Day Global).

The competitive phase started on February 1st and since then, each day a new cryptic clue has been posted at 6PM IST (7:30 AM East Coast US, 12: 30PM UK time,  11:30PM Australia).

Solvers from anywhere in the world can access and solve these clues.

Here are some clues that were in the competition recently

Substitute former model (8)
Note about Picasso’s first painting in stall (11)
To make a lot of commotion in opera, I set hero off (5,3,4)

Getting the answers in quickly and without mistakes is the biggest challenge and the competition has visibly gotten harder each week as more players are registering and joining the fun.

It is great to see competitors from across the globe take part and challenge each other.

If you are interested in participating, do register (for free) at https://acadglobal.crypticsingh.com/play

It is a year long competition with lots of prizes:

• • Monthly winners: Attractive prizes for the top three contestants at the end of each month.
  • ACAD Global 2025 Champion: The participant with the highest overall score during the Competitive Phase will be crowned the ACAD Global 2025 Champion, at the end of the contest

Answers to the clues in the post

Substitute former model (8) – TEMP LATE  (Charade of Substitute – TEMP + Former – LATE, DefL Model)
Note about Picasso’s first painting in stall (11) COMPARTMENT (Container clue – Insertion of P (first letter of Picasso) + ART (painting)  in COMMENT (Note), Def: – Stall
To make a lot of commotion in opera, I set hero off (5,3,4) RAISE THE ROOF (Hidden in Plain Sight, Def: To make a lot of commotion)