The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will start the Cryptic Crossword Contest-2014 from next month to help students improve their vocabulary, reasoning, lateral thinking and analytical abilities.

Students from classes 9 to 12 are allowed to participate in the competition which will be conducted in two phases. The city round of the competition to be held across the country will begin from Ranchi on July 16, whereas, in Chandigarh, this round will be held on September 6. According to the board circular issued to all its affiliated schools, the schools located within the city as well as in the vicinity can participate in the competition.