The negative marking system in the UPSC Preliminary Examination has important implications for candidates. Incorrect answers incur a penalty, which means that candidates need to answer each question judiciously. This discourages random guessing and encourages a well-thought-out approach to answering questions. Understanding the marking scheme is crucial for strategic preparation; candidates must balance their attempt rates between confident responses and the risk of losing marks. This system emphasizes the importance of accuracy over quantity in exam performance.